{"id":5540,"date":"2015-11-26T20:04:07","date_gmt":"2015-11-27T01:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.test\/en-ca\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2026-01-16T06:32:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T11:32:22","slug":"choose-best-accounting-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/choose-best-accounting-software\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose the best accounting software"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to choose the best accounting software\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Accounting software<\/a> is readily available at brick-and-mortar and online stores alike. As with any business decision, you\u2019ll want to make sure to select accounting software that is a good fit for your business. Use these tips to choose the right accounting software for your operation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess your needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When shopping for software, it\u2019s tempting to focus on each program\u2019s features. While differences in feature sets will help you to differentiate one program from the next, it\u2019s much smarter to first determine what you really need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by figuring out what\u2019s important to you. What are your core business needs? For example, if you have employees, a payroll option is going to be a must. By identifying your must-haves before even looking at accounting software, you\u2019ll be able to quickly build a list of viable programs\u2014and you\u2019ll also be able to quickly eliminate programs that don\u2019t measure up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most accounting software<\/a> will organize your financial information, you don\u2019t want to pay for features you don\u2019t need or buy software your employees will reject. Remember, the most expensive or popular options aren\u2019t necessarily the best for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With your business needs in mind, you\u2019ll want to ask about these features before purchasing any accounting software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does it have a payroll option?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you employ staff, then this feature is a must. Even if you outsource payroll, you\u2019ll want accounting software that supports payroll processing so that you can stay in control of the process and share your payroll data with your service provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Does it use Canadian tax?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The last thing you want is to have to figure out tax on top of managing your accounts. Thus, the software you choose should automatically work under Canadian tax regulations. It should also automatically update whenever tax rules or figures change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does it have an inventory system?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you sell a range of products, whether large or small, you should be able to manage them using a built-in inventory system. Having an integrated inventory system in your accounting software streamlines the process, reducing data entry requirements, and errors as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it created especially for Canadian small business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll want a system that is based around how business works in Canada. For example, does it have the option to operate in French? Does it comply with regulations in Canadian provinces? Does it address the needs of small business or is it built for enterprise organizations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Canadian accountants supported?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since you\u2019re going to be handing all of your financial data to your accountant for the end-of-year tasks, your accountant needs to be able to understand the software and how you\u2019re using it. They\u2019ll also need to be able to work with your data, making it important that your accounting software is compatible with your accountant\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s it like to use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to experience any software is to get your hands on it, ideally for several weeks. While two accounting applications may have similar features, hands-on usage could reveal that one is easier to use than the other\u2014or even easier on the eyes. As you evaluate each program, consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n