4 Reasons to Shut Down Your Manual Accounting Systems

For many small businesses, accounting systems still remain simple file affairs, with receipts duly collected and invoices issued out. This can work for home budget accounts and personal budgeting needs, but not for an enterprise or a business. Even if a business or an enterprise continue to grow steadily, their accounting and bookkeeping needs can show a sudden exponential rise. Home budgeting and manual accounting systems can prove inadequate for the needs of a growing business and before you know it, you may end up facing the prospect of losing a lot of money and credibility. Here are a few reasons why you should invest in accounting systems for your business.

1. Leap in Expenses: Expenses may seem controllable in the beginning. But as you continue to expand and days pass, your cash flow will need sound recording and your expenses will need a sharp eye.
2. Updating takes a backseat: Accounting and bookkeeping are essential systems that need regular updating. If you forget to enter the data for that day, it can easily slip into weeks and months, and before you know it, your business starts losing money. Accounts that are overdue for more than 90 days can start losing money.
3. Facing cash problems: Unless your accounting is updated, you are unlikely to know your true position regarding cash reserves. Accounts payable and receivables are elements of accounting that apprise you of your liquidity and help you take decisions regarding investments, etc. Accounting systems, especially automated ones, carry out these critical operations, thus helping you stay informed. Further, they can help you locate who owes you money as well, so you get paid on time and do not lose on account of late payments.

Security of data: Financial data needs to be kept secure. It is the key pointer to your business’ health and performance. If your data is easily accessible, remember it can be altered just as easily. This makes critical information vulnerable. Automating your accounting and bookkeeping systems allows for better security.