Features

• Most accounting programs will generate reports in areas such as accounts receivable and accounts payable, as well as payroll and inventory. In addition, some software has access to electronic banking, not to mention various invoicing functions.
  
  

Compatability

• One factor to consider is whether or not the software you choose will be compatible with the computers in your business. Most businesses use the Windows operating system for finances, since more software is designed for Windows than the Macintosh operating system. Some accounting software is designed for use on both Windows and Macintosh operating systems, allowing for cross-compatibility. QuickBooks Pro and AccountEdge, for example, can function on both operating systems.
  
  

Usability

• Accounting software offers a variety of reports for the business owner. The reports range from accounts receivable to accounts payable to inventory reporting. In any business, keeping track of inventory can be challenging, but with many accounting programs, keeping current on inventory can be made simpler. Other reports include sales reports, allowing you to determine what items are selling well and what items are doing poorly. When tax time comes around, having software that can produce the data you need in a report can be useful.
  
  

Reporting

• Accounting software offers a variety of reports for the business owner. The reports range from accounts receivable to accounts payable to inventory reporting. In any business, keeping track of inventory can be challenging, but with many accounting programs, keeping current on inventory can be made simpler. Other reports include sales reports, allowing you to determine what items are selling well and what items are doing poorly. When tax time comes around, having software that can produce the data you need in a report can be useful.
  
  

Online

• If you need accounting software that isn't complicated, there are also online software programs available. The programs aren't as in-depth as the desktop versions, but they have certain advantages. Since they are online, the storage is "cloud-based." This means that the software information is stored at an off-site location, and can be accessed from any computer--and even from a variety of smartphones.
  
  

Choices

• There are a variety of choices available, but the only way to find the software you want is for you to decide what features are important to you and how much you'll pay for the software. Accounting programs such as QuickBooks and AccountEdge have scored well in different reviewing sites, as has Peachtree Accounting and Bookkeeper. Since some of the software companies have trial periods, you can download and test out the features of the programs you're interested in.