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"It's
not the how, it's the why"
Don't
worry, you are not alone! Small companies everywhere are running
into problems with accounting software.
Purchasers
often have high expectations. Undo the wrapping and hey presto!
everything balances. Well not quite. Whilst the best accounting
records are computerised, unfortunately
so are the worst. The difference is almost always down to
the planning, training and support that the user of that system
has  had.
Many
first-time users receive poor training and do not know how
recognise or put right mistakes. Relying on the two hour 'free'
training received from software suppliers is a recipe for
disaster. The information and reports gradually become more
unreliable until an accountant or book-keeper is called in
to sort the mess out! This doomsday scenario happens to about
50% of first-time accounts software users and could occur
every year.
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To avoid this situation, the 'do's'
and 'don't' are as follows:
- DO
pick a convenient date to start. A new accounts year
is always best.
- DON'T
ditch the manual books just yet - you may need to refer
to them. Stop using them when you and your accountant are
both confident in the accuracy of the computer.
- DO
get help from your accountant with putting on opening balances.
- DON'T
forget to to take a back-up at the end of every day and
store it off-site.
- DO
understand why you are doing things. If you understand the
why you almost always work out the how.
- DON'T
be afraid to ask for help from your advisors. A five minute
telephone call can save countless wasted hours.
- DO
set up monthly control procedures to check the accuracy
of certain key figures - your advisor should provide valuable
help here.
- DON'T
give up!
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