Buy Accounting Software With Quality Support

The capabilities of modern accounting software are unbelievable compared to what tools were available ten or fifteen years ago. However, accounting solutions are not all created equal, so you can’t merely choose software and hope for the best. Advancements in accounting software have increased the necessity for some level of external support. The best accounting software will have quality support.

Core Areas Of Accounting: Ledger Activities, Invoicing, Billing, and More

Accounting software solutions should deliver exceptionally well in three primary areas:

• Ledger activities

• Invoicing

• Billing

These are the core functions of accounting, and if your software can’t deliver, then it’s not the right fit for your company.

Once you find a solution that can execute those three functions efficiently, you should start looking at the additional features available. You should have, and gain, a clear understanding of both how to use, and access, each function that your company needs. For example, if a software solution advertises the ability allow specific invoices to go through online, then you should have no problem finding and using the features. Getting the right support is often the only way to ensure you are getting what you are paying for.

Avoid Frustrating & Inaccurate Accounting

There are plenty of paid and free accounting software solutions, but in both cases, many platforms deliver a ton of frustration and little else. Managers and business owners rarely have the time to sit down and explore the accounting software enough to overcome the steep learning curve often required to operate it effectively.

Accounting software should be your guide when it comes to handling your cash flow, identifying your COGS (Cost Of Goods), and understanding your overhead expenses; without both a firm grasp of, and explicit control over, these critical aspects, your business could be in danger.

Accounting is the root cause of most business failures, and most businesses use accounting software. There is a substantial gap between effective use and accounting success. Proper support can help close that gap. Nearly 82% of failed businesses closed because of poor cash flow management. Another 77% were unable to price their product or services correctly, because they didn’t include all their expenses when setting prices.

Accounting Issues Leading to Failed Businesses:

They lacked sufficient knowledge in order to properly and effectively operate the software.

1. Did not reach out

2. Received poor quality support

3. The software did not fit their needs

4. The software did not provide necessary deliverables in core areas.

Find Support From Various Sources

Rarely does anyone, no matter how tech-savvy, immediately know how to use an “out-of-the-box” solution. You need to get acquainted with the software and learn its ins-and-outs. You can significantly reduce your learning time if you use some available learning resources.

When evaluating whether there is enough support available for you to learn how to use your software with confidence, there are three primary factors to consider. First, whether you can easily find a support community online, usually in the form of a discussion board. Second, whether you have access to recognized and authoritative third-party support providers. While you should always have access to direct tech support from the developer, the third factor to consider is whether you also have access to a knowledge base as well.

Support Communities

What can a support community do for you? Mutual help and learning. What you get from the community in the beginning, should be something you can give back down the line. You’re getting help from people who were in your position, but who now have a bit more experience working with the software hands-on.

These communities are everything a support group should be–, an open and non-judgmental place to ask even the most obvious questions, like, “how do I export invoices,” or “does my accounting info backup to the cloud automatically?”

When it comes to the knowledge of the crowd, there is no such thing as a dumb question. Nearly everyone in the community has been where you are now, although you do get the occasional snarky comment. As an example, here you can see the support provided for Sage 100 as users help this business owner figure out why their direct deposit stubs weren’t printing.

Third-Party Support Providers

Third-party support providers are an often overlooked gold mine. These companies usually host a variety of tools for companies using particular software. Typically, a company will create a training course or certification program that other companies can use to learn how, to, and verify their ability, to provide the proper help.

These providers will often help other companies migrate from one system to another, learn how to use their system, or implement the digital transformation from end to end. They sometimes provide full-scale training and support as well.

Unlike tech support, which often provides simple answers to your questions, these companies will walk through the problem with you in full-scale sessions. They’ll mirror your computer to see what you’re doing and speak with you via phone, email, or text. In essence, third-party providers make the experience much more about learning, as opposed to simply solving your problem.

Direct Tech Support

There are two types of direct tech support. The first type is the old-fashioned method where the user submits an email and waits in line for an answer. The second method involves a working knowledge base, which is built using questions sent in online or over the phone.

Finding accounting software with reliable, call-in tech support is becoming more and more difficult. They often doesn’t want people calling in for assistance, and most companies don’t want to listen to people describe what they did over the phone. It’s usually frustrating for everyone involved. You should, however, get a response to your email or “chat” questions within a day or two. Waiting any longer is unreasonable, particularly if you have a time-sensitive concern.

Knowledgebase platforms are one way in which tech support from the software developer is helping customers help themselves. Instead of answering every question submitted via email, they likely filter out frequently asked questions and direct those users to their knowledge base. A knowledgebase is part FAQ and part giant encyclopedia. Searching through a knowledge base can take time, but it can also help you learn more about the software than you ever thought possible.

Contact CertiPro

CertiPro helps companies migrate to Sage 100 accounting software and provides continued support for Sage users. Through a simple form, you can schedule a support session with someone who has experience and skill working with Sage 100 accounting software tools. Have your questions answered, or obtain a complete walkthrough, to understand your cloud accounting tools better.