Investing in accounting software is a big step for any small business, but it's essential if you're selling online, especially if you're an Amazon FBA seller. Will it help you in computing your sales faster? Sure! But it will also turn tax season into a walk in the park.
Hundreds of accounting software development companies have perfected applications for Amazon sellers like you. So how do you know which one is right for your ecommerce store? Learn the importance of having accounting software tools and pick the best one for your small business now.
Importance of Having Software for Your Online Business
Done are the ages of jotting down every cash that comes to your business. Done is the time when you'd have to input every amount to your computer manually. Now is the new era of automation of every accounting task you've always dreaded.
Without good software, running your business would be difficult. So what are the problems that an accounting software tool can solve?
- Disorganized financial records
- Unattended budget costing
- Lack of experience in managing books
- Lack of financial insight or analysis
- Company fraud
- Noncompliance with tax laws or GAAP
- Errors in data entry
- Inadequate control of finances
#1. Quickbooks Online
Whether you're just starting out or already scaling to a medium-sized business on Amazon, QuickBooks bookkeeping never fails.
Intuit QuickBooks Online has been the go-to cloud-based accounting software for its vast third-party app integration to other financial tools and ecommerce platforms such as Amazon. This makes it an ideal choice for small business owners that utilize more than one accounting tool.
Most business owners love its minimal and easy-to-learn interface. Most of you probably have zero tolerance for looking at condensed tabs and over-the-top line items. And perhaps, not all of you have prior accounting knowledge so having a clutter-free accounting app like QBO removes the overwhelming feeling of having to manage your books.
Lastly, if you're running low on funds for investing in this accounting tool, you can test QuickBooks for a month, free of charge. This also allows you to try this accounting solution out before you commit. In addition, for every tier plan you choose to try out, its free trial version includes unlimited invoicing and responsive customer support-perfect for recurring invoices.
But once you subscribe, we highly recommend choosing QuickBooks Online Advanced for $100 a month. It includes customized user access and in-depth reporting with business analytics.
#2. Xero
QuickBooks Online sounds like the perfect small business accounting software. However, it can be quite expensive for small business owners, especially ones who don't need complex financial reporting.
Do you need other features, such as inventory management? Xero is another cloud-based accounting tool that offers real-time inventory tracking. This means you can always see how much stock you have on hand and quickly make adjustments as needed.
In addition, Xero provides fixed asset management to track the value of your equipment and property over time. And with Xero's multi-user access, you can give different team members access to your account, making it easy to collaborate.
Don't worry! Like QuickBooks, Xero has a minimal and user-friendly dashboard that anyone can appreciate. And for all these important accounting features, you'll only pay $84 a month.
#3. A2X
Despite the invention of software for strengthening accounting and bookkeeping online, there are still some instances where you'll have to do some data entry, such as importing bank details or inputting transactional details one by one. But ecommerce business owners won't have to worry about these tedious accounting tasks because A2X can do them all.
A2X simplifies your stock inventory, invoicing, and sales linked to your ecommerce platform and your accounting software to give you summarized data such as your SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). In this way, you can adjust your spending based on an accurate picture of your seller margins.
With this accounting software, you can save money by identifying errors in your Amazon settlements and providing guidance on optimizing your account settings. But not only does it work on Amazon, but it also works for other ecommerce platforms as well such as:
#4. Bill.com
Accrual accounting is the most accurate accounting method that's also GAAP-compliant. You may not get an accurate cash flow status, but you can make better spending decisions. Thus, Bill.com is a must-have accounting tool for payment processing for accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Using Bill.com, businesses can electronically pay their bills, track payments, and manage vendor relationships. The system also allows businesses to set up recurring payments so you'll never have to have late payments ever again.
Best of all, Bill.com integrates with QuickBooks, making it easy to keep track of all your financial information in one place. So whether you're a small business owner or a large corporation, Bill.com can help you streamline your bill payment process and improve your bottom line and vendor relationships.
#5. Taxjar
Probably the most important accounting task is tax compliance. Yes, even if you are a small business owner online, you are still required to file sales taxes-sometimes, in more than one state. That's why TaxJar is included in our list of small business accounting software tools.
With TaxJar, you can calculate your sales tax in real time. TaxJar's AutoFile feature can help take the hassle out of filing by automatically filing your returns in nearly all states where you owe sales tax.
Once you've set up AutoFile, it'll take care of the rest, ensuring that your sales tax returns are filed on time. And because TaxJar is integrated with all major ecommerce platforms, you can rest assured that you'll stay tax-compliant no matter where you sell.
Final Thoughts
So, whether you're a small business on Amazon or any other ecommerce platform, it's important to have the right tools in place to manage your business finances. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should give you a good starting point.
These five best accounting software tools for small businesses can help get your books in order and give you the insights you need to make smart financial decisions for your business. But remember that not all accounting software is made to suit your needs, so do your research and find one that fits what you're looking for. Or better yet, why not try them all?
And if you need more help with bookkeeping, data entry, or anything else finance-related, explore our other financial and tech articles today!
AUTHOR'S BIO:Mike Pignatelli, CPA, is the CEO of Unloop Accounting, an agency built to meet the accounting needs of modern ecommerce businesses. As an experienced financial controller, Mike has worked with various seven-figure inventory businesses. Mike and his team are your go-to accountants if you need reliable data to make sound financial decisions.