What is cloud accounting?
In the case of cloud accounting, you keep your business books online. That includes records of income and expenses, and assets and liabilities. The information is encrypted, much like a bank’s, so only people with the login can view the data. Businesses started using cloud accounting software – also known as online accounting software – in the early 2000s. Most systems come with tools for quoting, invoicing, managing bills and more.
Benefits of cloud accounting software
Running your business accounts online has many advantages:
1. Data about your sales or income and purchase scan flow straight from your bank to your books so you don’t spend hours transcribing them
2. You can see your current financial position at any time
3. Multi-user access makes it easy to collaborate online with your team and advisors
4. Its online software so there’s nothing to install or update, and all your data is backed up automatically.
5. You can set up a dashboard showing important financial information like who owes you money, what bills are due, and how your cash flow is looking
Accounting software shouldn’t be a chore to use
Small business accounting software that’s not available via the cloud can be tedious. It requires a lot of manual data entry and can suck up far too much of your time and effort. This doesn’t add value, and takes the fun out of being in business. Cloud software can save your business time and money.
Problems with traditional accounting software
1. The data in the system isn’t always up to date
2. It only works on one computer and data gets moved from place to place, for example, on a USB drive – this is not secure or reliable
3. Only one person has user access which can mean key people can’t access financial and customer details
4. It’s costly and complicated to keep backups(if they’re done at all)
5. It’s expensive, difficult and time consuming to upgrade compared to cloud accounting software, which updates automatically
Cloud security is world class
As a small business owner, you might be concerned about a cloud service provider storing your data. But the cloud is one of the most secure ways to store information. For example, using cloud software, if your laptop is stolen, no one can access your data unless they have a login to the online account. With cloud software, your data lives online on secure servers – as opposed to on your hard drive.
In the event of a natural disaster or fire, being in the cloud means business productivity doesn’t need to be affected because there’s no downtime. All of your information is safely and securely stored off site. As long as you have access to any computer or mobile device connected to the internet, you’re back up and running.
In addition to this, if you invite users to view your data, you can control the level of access. This is much more secure than the old-fashioned way of emailing your files or sending out a USB stick with your data on it.
Cloud-based software companies ensure that the security and privacy of data about you and your organisation is always airtight. If you use online banking, then you’re already primed to use cloud accounting.
Work smarter with accessible data in the cloud
The beauty of online accounting software is the flexibility it gives you to run your business from work, home, or on the go. You can be confident that you have an up-to-date picture of how your business is doing, no matter where you are.
Software update scan be developed and delivered faster and more easily in the cloud. This means you don’t need to worry about installing the latest version and you’ll get access to new features instantly. With cloud accounting software, you have the option to run your business remotely, from anywhere in the world. And when data is fluid and accessible, the possibilities are endless.
Furthermore CANGAF provide accounting, tax, business and advice so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let us help you with all your accountant needs!