Choosing Accounting Software

6. Making a Purchase

You may need to shop around for advice. Find someone who understands the needs of your business and also understands the capabilities of different software packages.

6.1 Most accountants can advise businesses on what software to choose. But some are far more experienced than others.

• Your own accountant may not have experience of a sufficiently large number of software packages.
• Accountants may be primarily interested in how well the software tracks transactions, which makes auditing easier. You may be interested in the possibility of obtaining management information that will help you run your business more effectively.

6.2 Most software is purchased through resellers, which can provide expert advice on the products they sell.

• Does the reseller supply businesses similar to yours? For example, an advertising agency with specialised billing requirements may prefer a supplier with experience in dealing with such needs.
• What is the reseller's track record in providing support and training? Ask if you can speak to businesses it has supplied about their experiences.
• Many resellers are also software developers. They can customise the software to meet your exact needs. Ensure the benefits of having a system customised will outweigh the costs.
• Resellers can also give you advice about your IT requirements.
• Remember that advice from a reseller is likely to favour the packages they offer. You may wish to seek impartial advice.

6.3 Be wary of any software which does not already have a large 'installed user base'.

• A large user base removes a significant element of risk. It usually indicates an established product with better support and more investment in upgraded versions of the software.