How to know which accounting software is best for your organization or business.

There are many factors to consider when selecting an accounting software package for your organization. Each manufacturer and each version of software is designed to address specific business needs. It is best to speak to a professional before spending money on a software package that will not yield the results you expect or require.

If your organization is a nonprofit you may explore QuickBooks Online, Xero or Aplos depending upon your needs. They will all allow you to access your company’s bookkeeping anywhere in the world that has internet. Most firms, ours inclusive are migrating more towards QuickBooks than to Xero or Aplos.

If your nonprofit has 501(c)3 status, it is recommended to purchase your software through TechSoup.org in order to save a significant amount of money. TechSoup offers versions of Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Office and other products at deep discounts that will aide in running your organization effectively.

QuickBooks Desktop is installed on a specific computer and therefore your company data is stored only on that computer or server. It limits working from remote locations.

QuickBooks Self-Employed and QuickBooks Simple Start are highly restrictive versions offering a no-frills approach to bookkeeping that very few businesses can effectively use.

QuickBooks Essentials is a very good version that many organizations and businesses find useful, unless tracking restrictive funds is necessary. Restrictive accounts would best be tracked in QuickBooks Plus or QuickBooks Advanced. Both of these versions have high-powered options to better manage a larger organization or business.

Ultimately, it is highly recommended to explore all available options before purchasing accounting software to ensure your organization or business will have the accounting support it needs to operate and grow.