{"id":19256,"date":"2026-06-23T05:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=19256"},"modified":"2026-07-31T06:28:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T10:28:46","slug":"speed-up-business-processes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/speed-up-business-processes\/","title":{"rendered":"Advantages and disadvantages of using spreadsheets for your business"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--standard entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--standard\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAdvantages and disadvantages of using spreadsheets for your business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhile spreadsheets are still used by businesses, learn how using software can result in increased speed and accuracy with business processes.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-23T05:56:00-04:00\">June 23, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Advantages and disadvantages of using spreadsheets for your business\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/speed-up-business-processes\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/author\/ryangrundy\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Ryan-Grundy.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"ryan-grundy\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Ryan Grundy<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-sage-article-update\"><div class=\"sage-article-update__inner\"><p>This article was originally published on July 8, 2023 but has been refreshed and re-published with new content in June 23, 2026.<\/p><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a small business owner, you probably use spreadsheets for many of your processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While they can be powerful tools, software is increasingly providing solutions to help you do these jobs more efficiently, safely, and with stronger compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we talk about the pros and cons of using spreadsheets when managing your business processes, and why software could be a better bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#the\">The productivity challenge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#advantages\">Advantages of spreadsheets<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#disadvantages\">Disadvantages of spreadsheets<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#of\">Advantages of software over spreadsheets<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#important\">7 important processes where software beats spreadsheets<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#final\">Final thoughts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Small business survival toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get your free guide, business plan template, and cash flow forecast template to help you run your business and achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-aee5a8c2-281d-42bb-8da2-eda5b62f63c6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t10,548 readers have downloaded this toolkit\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Female hands working on a laptop\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The productivity challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the past, small businesses have tended to use spreadsheets as a default tool, and only replace or add to them with other software as their operations became more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But as technology such as cloud computing has become more accessible, other software\u2014Including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/accounting-software\/\">cloud accounting software<\/a>, as well as payroll and HR solutions\u2014are increasingly adding to your options to make your business processes slicker and easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For businesses that are looking to work productively, there are some serious disadvantages of a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/salesforce\/2014\/09\/13\/sorry-spreadsheet-errors\/#2370124456ab\">various studies<\/a>&nbsp;show that up to 88% of all spreadsheets contain errors, which can cause major headaches and waste your time and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, 35% of companies&nbsp;reported discrepancies&nbsp;in their most important spreadsheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast, dedicated software is designed to reduce errors, speed up processes, and help you in areas such as mobility, cloud services, compliance, and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"advantages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of spreadsheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For basic tasks such as inputting and organizing data, spreadsheets are still one of the most accessible, easy, and intuitive tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They bring a few advantages, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Making large amounts of data easier to view, manage, and analyze.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allowing you to create visual presentations using charts, graphs, and tables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removing the need for repetitive calculations by automating them with formulas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liam Bastick, director at SumProduct, says: \u201cThe biggest areas where businesses still use spreadsheets are as databases, and for forecasting and budgeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut more dedicated accounting software is gaining ground in small businesses for those who want to create financial statements and use visualization tools\u2014the software does it for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"disadvantages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disadvantages of spreadsheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more complex tasks, spreadsheets are limited in their capabilities and usability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll find them more difficult, time-consuming, and prone to errors than using dedicated solutions such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/cp\/accounting\/\">accounting software<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/payroll-software\/\">payroll software<\/a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/hr\/\">HR software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main disadvantages of spreadsheets are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learning formulas takes training and users can still find them difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any formula or data cell with errors will cause all related calculations to be wrong. This take can take a long time to investigate and correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spreadsheets can be tricky to collaborate on, especially when users download live files, make changes, and create multiple versions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When people store spreadsheets on their own computer or company server, there\u2019s a risk hardware failure will wipe them out. Also, other people may not be able to access files when they need them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With multiple users, you can quickly end up with conflicting documents and errors, hard-to-use templates, and inaccurate or delayed analysis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spreadsheets create a risk of non-compliance with certain regulations and HMRC requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"of\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of software over spreadsheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cloud accounting, payroll, and HR software eliminates complex calculations, manual tasks, and the monotony of spreadsheets by organizing data into one central system. This enables business owners to speed up processes and&nbsp;make decisions quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional software is also tested for mistakes and oversights to minimize human errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These benefits of using software can dramatically reduce the time you need to spend on manual processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike spreadsheets, software also provides built-in analytical tools, giving you valuable insights on sales performance, purchase trends and demographic insights, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can help you service your customers better, identify and correct mistakes, and hone your budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Small business survival toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get your free guide, business plan template, and cash flow forecast template to help you run your business and achieve your goals.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-aee5a8c2-281d-42bb-8da2-eda5b62f63c6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t10,548 readers have downloaded this toolkit\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Female hands working on a laptop\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"important\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6 important processes where software beats spreadsheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Managing invoices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to a spreadsheet, professional accounting software allows for simple and fast data entry and retrieval, saving you time and effort when creating invoices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It creates fewer errors as the software helps you enter information in the right format at the right time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spreadsheets often have not been able to upload information automatically from other sources, such as your bank, and reconcile it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast, accounting software gives you everything you need to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/accounting-software\/invoicing\/\">create and send invoices<\/a>, track payments, get&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/bank-feeds-business-efficient\/\">bank feeds<\/a>, automatically&nbsp;reconcile with your bank, and calculate and&nbsp;submit VAT returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting software can also generate branded, professional-looking invoices, quotes and estimates to send your existing and prospective clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Capturing receipt details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you keep multiple spreadsheets, finding information about expenses or suppliers can be difficult as you trawl through receipts, which may be stored in several locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In accounting software, you can retrieve that information and report on it easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some software integrates with receipt-snapping apps, which allow you to take photos of receipts using your phone and record transactions quickly and simply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Managing budgets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While businesses still use&nbsp;spreadsheets for planning, many quickly find themselves in \u2018spreadsheet hell\u2019, with multiple versions and conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When looking to cut costs, you could trawl through your many spreadsheets and model wage and overhead data in them. But this takes time and is much easier to do in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/accounting-software\/\">cloud accounting software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such software enables you to collaborate on the budget plan in a single, secure application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This eliminates inefficiencies and security risks, as you no longer need to share multiple versions of sensitive information via email. You don\u2019t have to update multiple spreadsheets\u2014you simply make changes once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting software is also designed to speed up the budgeting process, so changes take seconds rather than minutes, giving you more time to focus on your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As it\u2019s programmed to reduce errors and duplication, software also allows you to combine and query the information more quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result is a more dynamic budgeting and planning process, running&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/cash-flow\/\">cash flow forecasts<\/a>&nbsp;and multiple scenarios quickly, with minimal training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting software also provides a real-time view of performance, enabling you to respond rapidly to market changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Tracking payments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most spreadsheets haven\u2019t been designed to record payments and alert you to&nbsp;late payments&nbsp;automatically. But professional accounting software is programmed to do this, making the tedious job of tracking&nbsp;unpaid invoices&nbsp;a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most spreadsheets don\u2019t yet offer automated bank feeds, which help you integrate income data from your bank and save long hours reconciling statements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting software does this and allows you to record payment information against customer accounts automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also enables you to track invoice payments remotely via your mobile phone, which has been harder to do with most spreadsheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Submitting returns and keeping business records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike spreadsheets, professional accounting software can be used to submit your tax returns to HMRC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The software is updated as rules and regulations change. It automatically retains all the records authorities such as HMRC might need and sends all the information in the right order, reducing the chance that you will receive an audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Accounting software is also designed to reduce errors and mistakes, making record-keeping less of a headache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, the theft, abuse, or destruction of your accounting records from a spreadsheet could be devastating for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cloud accounting programs keep your data safe on a highly secure, off-site server, which means it\u2019s always recoverable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Scheduling shifts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tracking and managing staff shifts in various locations can be cumbersome when it involves endless emails of multiple spreadsheets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is becoming even harder as more people work remotely, especially as many spreadsheets are not cloud-based or mobile-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professional cloud HR software solves these problems as it\u2019s easy to use on any device and has one version of the truth. With it, you can create and edit shifts; track schedules, holidays and sick leave; and approve time-off requests quickly and easily from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, employees can access everything they need\u2014including schedules,&nbsp;payslips&nbsp;and company policies\u2014log time, request leave, and check holiday that\u2019s due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HR software also offers more automation compared to spreadsheets, for example, allowing you to pre-fill hours with time-off data and merge approved&nbsp;timesheets&nbsp;in collective reports for payroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It gives you all the tools you need to organize your workforce remotely such as communications, reporting, asset management, and charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"final\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small businesses need all the help they can get from technology. Providers are stepping up to the challenge by increasing the functionality, accessibility, and affordability of their products dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While spreadsheets still have their uses, when it comes to reducing time spent on data entry, keeping accurate business records, and working anywhere and at any time, using software can really speed up your business processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That will leave you with more time to work on the things you enjoy and add more value to the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Editor\u2019s note: This article was first published in July 2020 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to our Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/sage-accounting\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSage accounting solutions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/small-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hub\/starting-a-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStarting a business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-27781 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-sage-accounting business_type-small-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1214\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-1214x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0546-1214x810.jpg 1214w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T10:25:52-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">13 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-cash-basis-accounting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCash basis accounting explained: Pros, cons, and examples\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWhether you&#8217;re a freelancer or a small business owner, cash basis accounting is probably closer to how you already think about money than you realize. Here&#8217;s how it actually works, where it falls short, and how to tell if it&#8217;s still the right fit as your business grows.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-27788 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-sage-accounting business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/is-accounts-receivable-an-asset\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/BrandShootLDN_Jul2022_TechSoftware_0015-Final-684x384.jpeg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A woman working on her desktop computer in an office.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/BrandShootLDN_Jul2022_TechSoftware_0015-Final-684x384.jpeg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/BrandShootLDN_Jul2022_TechSoftware_0015-Final-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/BrandShootLDN_Jul2022_TechSoftware_0015-Final-1440x810.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T09:29:07-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tIs accounts receivable an asset or liability? Why does it matter?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-30337 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-accountants category-money-matters tag-accountants tag-accounting-101 tag-boss-your-business tag-business-intelligence tag-business-strategy tag-cash-flow tag-growing-a-business tag-small-business tag-starting-a-business tag-tax business_type-small-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-petty-cash\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1022379466-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1022379466-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1022379466-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1022379466-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T07:25:41-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">14 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is petty cash?\u00a0A complete guide\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-29480 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-accountants category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-sage-accounting tag-tax business_type-small-business business_type-growing-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/accrued-expenses-vs-accounts-payable\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-529793801-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-529793801-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-529793801-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-529793801-1081x810.jpg 1081w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T04:37:41-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat are accrued expenses? A guide for growing businesses\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-30503 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-small-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-bank-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0994-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0994-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0994-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0994-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-28T08:07:43-04:00\">August 28, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">16 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tBank reconciliation: What it is, how to do it, and examples\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While spreadsheets are still used by businesses, learn how using software can result in increased speed and accuracy with business 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