GET YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUD
What is the cloud?
Imagine you are using your online banking. Every time you access your bank data, you’re using the ‘cloud’. The ‘cloud’ makes data and software accessible online anytime, anywhere, from any device. The hard drive on your computer or laptop is no longer the central hub.
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 takes up far too much of your time. Cloud software can save your company time and money.
Problems with traditional accounting software
- The data isn’t always up to date.
- It only works on one computer and data gets moved from place to place, e.g, on a USB drive. This is not secure or reliable.
- Only one person has user access. Key people can't access financial and customer details.
- It's costly and complicated to keep backups (if they’re done at all).
- It's expensive, difficult, and time-consuming to upgrade compared to cloud accounting software, which updates automatically.
Cloud and accounting software is a perfect match
- You can use cloud-based software from any device with an internet connection. Online accounting software keeps small business owners connected to their data and their accountants. The software can integrate with a whole ecosystem of third-party business apps. It’s scalable, cost-effective, and easy to use.
- In the cloud, there’s no need to install and run applications over a desktop computer. Instead, you pay for the software by monthly subscription.
Working 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 updates are delivered automatically in the cloud. 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.
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 similar to a bank, so only people with the login can view the data. Most systems come with tools for quoting, invoicing, managing bills and more.
The benefits of cloud accounting
Running your business accounts online has many advantages:
- Data on your sales or income and purchases can flow straight from your bank into your books so you don’t spend hours transcribing them.
- You can see your current financial position at any time.
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.
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