Basics of Small Business Accounting

Basics of Small Business Accounting
by Priyankar Baid

Accounting is a key function of any business-big or small. Good accounting practices are necessary to maintain an accurate set of books which in turn are necessary for taking business decisions, raising capital or bank loans and of-course for knowing how much money your business is making!.

Getting the accounting right for small businesses is all about doing simple accounting things well every time. These practices can be easily implemented by most business owners. Some of the key things are:

a. Keep all business and personal transactions separate. Use a business card if possible, to segregate business transactions.

b. All sales are deposited and that all expenses are recorded in the business checking account or on a business credit card.

c. Book even cash-receipts from customers. Ideally store all the cash in a drawer and reconcile the account at-least once a month (if not weekly)

d. Track personal funds used to pay company expenses or vice-versa through one account. Track reimbursements to owners also through this account. This helps in clearly identifying what money has been spent by you on business transactions

e. Reconcile all bank and credit card accounts-monthly. This is a highly recommended practice as its benefits go beyond just good accounting. When your bookkeeper/you reconcile books, you get a clear picture of how funds move in-and-out of your bank account.

f. As far as possible, track all bills under a proper expense account. Always right the nature of the expense in memo.

g. Clear tracking of expenses can save a lot of money in taxes as many expenses may be deductible. Your tax-preparer or CPA will not be able get you those benefits if can't see them booked in right accounts or atleast with enough detail in memo.

h. Simplicity of small business software like QuickBooks has made many small business owners to do their accounting themselves. This is not a good idea as without the basic accounting knowledge, it's easy to make errors like treating a liability as an expense. For e.g. I see many small business owners books loan repayments as a expense without separating the principal and interest components

Accounting for small business is not rocket science; it's about being systematic and detailed. The starting point is to set in good accounting practices. These are best done by using a professional accountant or bookkeeper. Today, small businesses can access qualified and efficient accounting talent not available locally. Your accountant no longer needs to be present in your office or physically meet you. He/She can be in another part of the country or even outside the country!!


About the Author

Priyankar Baid is an experienced accountant who has consulted small businesses in US, Cananda and UK over the last few years. He also runs a firm (outsourcinghubindia.com) specializing in online accounting. He helps businesses set-up accounting systems, clean-up existing books and implement outsourcing agreements. His firm specializes in providing accounting and reporting services to small medium businesses in North America.

Introduction to Software Development

Introduction to Software Development
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cinoy_Ravindran]Cinoy Ravindran

Software is a part of the computer system which allows or enables the hardware to operate. Computer software can be classifies as system and application software.

System software includes the operating system and other utilities which help in the smooth functioning of the computer and other applications in it.

Application software includes computer programs and related documentation that accomplish end-user data processing tasks. These are software developed for the end users for tasks like production control, payroll, inventory, word processing etc.

Software Development

It is a series of processes systematically undertaken to improve a business through the use of computerized information system. Software development has two major components, Systems Analysis and Design.

Analysis specifies ‘what’ the system should do, that is it sets the objective and Design stated ‘how’ to accomplish this objective. System Analysis is the process of studying the current system by a set of procedures which help to gather and interpret facts, identify the problems and use this gathered facts to improve the current system. The process of developing a new system with detailed concentration on the technical and other specifications that will make the new system operational is system design.

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

It is a sequence of events carried out by analysts, designers and users to develop and implement an information system. The activities are carried out in different stages. The phases are Preliminary investigation (feasibility study), Determination of system requirements (analysis), Design of system, Development of software, System testing, System Implementation, System Maintenance. In reality these phases can overlap.

Cinoy M.R is a Computing Engineer, specializing in solution / concept selling in Information Technology, Wealth Management, as well as Stress Management.

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Software Guide: Some Tips About Software

Software Guide: Some Tips About Software
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sardool_Sikandar]Sardool Sikandar

The term software is generally used for computer software that is an essential part of the computer system. It stores and process all encoded information or computer instructions on PC. Computer software has very vast scope in computer world.

According to computer science and software engineering computer software is all information that is processed by computer systems, programs and other data. Software is completely opposite to hardware, which is used to store or execute the software. Software is loaded into random access memory and then executed in central processing unit. It belongs to machine language that is not easy to understand for the users.

Every operating system has its own software that requires an individual processor. It understands machine language that consists of several groups of binary values, which gives processor instructions and data. Software converts machine language in simple language that enables the users to understand machine language.

Software generates a connection between electronic hardware and data. The user can operate the sequence of data instructions with the help of software. Software can use any type of data such as output/input. Sometimes the output of software can be input for another software. Software provides an interface between hardware, data and other software.

Software can be divided in three classes such as system software, application software and programming software. System software enables the users to run computer hardware and computer system including operating system, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems and some more.

Users can perform one or more tasks simultaneously with the help of application software. With the help of application software, they can perform all applications like office suites, business software, databases and games. Whereas the programming software offers some functional tools that enables the programmer to write difficult computer programs. Programming software provides some useful tools like text editor, compiler, interpreter, linker and debugger etc.

After installing software a computer can operate that vary software. Application software passes the instructions to system software and then computer program executes on computer.

About Author: The Author owns a website on [http://www.quicksoftwareguide.com/]Software Guide. Website provides all information about software, how to download a software, and some tips to use a software. You can also visit his site about [http://www.myhelpdesksoftware.info/]Helpdesk Software.

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The Best of Business Software Applications

The Best of Business Software Applications
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rama_Krishna]Rama Krishna

In the last few decades we have witnessed a revolution as computer technology has virtually invaded all aspects of our lives. Businesses are no different.

Today, there are very few businesses that are governed manually. Most businesses run on a completely automated system that not only increases the speed, but also increases the efficiency of the business.

Business models

The business models that we see today are far more precise in their decision making thanks to business software applications. If you are a newbie into business and are left wondering which business software applications are ideal for your business, then you are not alone.

There are several new companies who have no idea which software to choose.

Choosing Business Software Applications

When it comes to choosing business software applications, you need to ask yourself a few simple questions.



What is your business model?



Is it a large, small or medium sized business?



What is your budget?

When you have the answers to these questions, you can easily shortlist a few business software applications from the rest.

Then it comes down to personal preferences and comparisons. You can draw a comparison between the business software applications and see which one suits your business model the best.

For example, not all companies have the infrastructure or the resources to allow their employees to undergo training to adapt to the new software. Hence they opt for an easy to use software interface that can be mastered with a few clicks.

On demand

If none of the business software applications suit your business, then you might have to look for software on demand.

This software is specially created for your business and its unique needs. The cost of software on demand is obviously higher when compared to the more regular software.

For more info visit : [http://www.sbzone.com]Business Software Applications

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Business Software

Business Software
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan]Elizabeth Morgan

Business software has become an essential part of every business and corporation that operates under a big, competitive economic environment. Nowadays, there is no serious business that doesn’t employ computer software, and this is definitely a clear proof that business software is a must for every business.

Business software can have many types and forms; however, the purpose remains the same: to help the administration maintain and control the business. The above goals can be achieved through the use of business software. Every piece of software is linked to another in a custom way. The route of cooperation between the different file formats and strategies that each program uses is analyzed and arranged by the IT (Information Technology) chief of the corporation or the suppliers of the software.

In order to avoid the above custom routes, corporations often choose to implement their business management using general, business-oriented packs. A well-known example of general, yet business-oriented software is MS Office, specifically Excel. Excel is a business program that is used by millions of corporations worldwide. Excel’s popularity is mainly due to the fact that it is very flexible and modifiable.

Of course, the possibilities are endless and a corporation can choose to go about building its very own custom software. In this case, the corporation has to cooperate with the developer of the software and specify the way the software is supposed to be used. The development cycle of the software tends to be long and costly. The advantage of custom software is that it is designed from scratch for the operation purposes of the specific business. This approach guarantees lack of unwanted features as well as existence of preferred ones.

In conclusion, business software is a must for all corporations today. The choices regarding what type of software to use are numerous, and the corporation can never feel restricted because it can arrange the development of custom software that includes all features that need to be implemented. [http://www.WetPluto.com/Business-Plan-Software.html]Business Software provides detailed information on Business Software, Small Business Software, Business Card Software, Business Plan Software and more. Business Software is affiliated with [http://www.e-contractmanagementsoftware.com]Construction Contract Management Software.

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Dragon NaturallySpeaking Included in New Learning Access Suite to Aid Students with Learning

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Included in New Learning Access Suite to Aid Students with Learning Difficulties by Nuance

Nuance joins forces with Claro Software and Microlink to deliver education software designed to enrich the learning process for pupils of all abilities

London, UK, 30 October, 2008 - Nuance Communications, a leading provider of speech solutions, has today announced that Dragon® NaturallySpeaking®, the world's best-selling desktop speech recognition software, features in the Learning Access Suite, a collection of powerful learning tools designed to make reading, writing and learning much easier. Developed in conjunction with major assistive solution providers Claro Software and Microlink PC, the Learning Access Suite is available immediately for as little as £1.10 per pupil.

The Learning Access Suite enables learners to see the relationship between the spoken and written word, as it offers both speech recognition and a facility to read back text. In addition to offering Dragon NaturallySpeaking, The Learning Access Suite also includes: the ClaroRead literacy support tool, (including text to speech features), ScreenRuler, Lightening Magnifier and screen reader. It also feautres ClaroView screen colour overlay tool, MindFull Concept Mapper, Colour Explorer and ClaroLingo language assistant.

The comprehensive set of features in the Learning Access Suite will enable schools to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and other government led education initiatives With Dragon NaturallySpeaking, people can write documents and emails, search the Web, and control their PC entirely by voice. This makes it far easier for pupils with learning difficulties or upper body mobility issues to take full advantage of a PC as a learning and communications tool. Dragon can deliver accuracy up to 99 percent while never making a spelling mistake.

Mark Green, Director of Education, Nuance EMEA, said: "The Learning Access Suite has the potential to transform the learning experience for students as they explore and communicate with IT throughout their school lives. As millions of users have already discovered, Dragon is a multifaceted product and in this application it will open the door to a richer, more inclusive learning experience"

Students, who struggle with using a keyboard and mouse or with a cognitive disability, such as dyslexia, can use this technology to help them reach their full potential. The Suite also provides new learning opportunities for students who are learning English as an additional language. At any one time, there are 150,000 overseas students studying at UK universities as well as many younger learners who are recent arrivals in the UK.

The Learning Access Suite can be easily installed on a school network and, to encourage pupils to use it outside of school for homework and extended learning, there is a special programme for home use. Once a school has taken out a subscription, parents are then entitled to buy Dragon and other tools at a discounted price.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking software from Nuance is used by millions of people - in the office, at home, at school, on the road, even in hospitals and GP practices to get more done faster by voice. Dragon delivers what matters most in speech recognition - superior levels of accuracy, seamless integration with the most popular PC applications, and unrivalled ease of use.

For more information on the Learning Access Suite please visit http://www.nuance.co.uk/learning-access-suite