Tag Archive for: accounting software

xendoo vs. Pilot: Comparing Online Bookkeeping Services for Small Business Owners

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White female business over pointing at a computer and speaking to her white male employee

Bookkeeping is critical to the financial health of every business, but business owners rarely have the time (or desire) to manage it themselves. To take their time back, many business owners choose to outsource their bookkeeping and accounting. There are many options available, from traditional CPAs to tech-savvy online companies. So, how do you choose the right financial partner for your business?

Today, we will take a look at two popular providers: xendoo Online Bookkeeping and Pilot. Both provide quality online bookkeeping and tax services, but there are some key differences in features that will help you weigh your options:

  • Online bookkeeping and tax services 
  • Accounting software 
  • Accounting methods

In this blog post, we will explore these key differences so that you can make the best choice for your business!

Online Bookkeeping and Tax Services 

Most of xendoo’s online bookkeeping packages are tax-inclusive, with prices starting at $295 per month. Plans can be paid monthly or annually, whichever works best for you. We reconcile your books weekly, and deliver your reports as early as the 5th business day of the month, depending on the plan you select!

Pilot offers three online bookkeeping plans, with prices starting at $599 per month, all of which are paid annually upfront. Tax services are available at an additional cost and must be purchased separately.  

If you are behind on your bookkeeping, xendoo and Pilot also offer catch-up services so you can get previous months’ books in order! 

Accounting Software

Most small business owners manage their finances in a variety of ways, the more software options, the better! That is why xendoo works with both Quickbooks Online and Xero. Depending on the nature of your business, one of these options will be able to meet your specific needs. 

 

Pilot only offers Quickbooks Online. If you are already working in Xero, they will have to switch you to QBO and leave your history behind. While QBO is a solid option, it may not be the ideal choice.  

Accounting Methods

Accounting methods determine when income and expenses are recorded in your financial statements. They affect how cash flow, profitability, and business performance are tracked. The method used depends on your business and tax needs. 

 

xendoo and Pilot use different accounting methods, with one exception: cash basis accounting. Depending on the plan you select, xendoo will use a cash basis or modified accrual basis. Pilot defaults to an accrual basis on all plans, but you can request a cash basis. 

 

  • Cash basis accounting is a method in which revenue is reported only when cash is received, and expenses are noted when money leaves your account. It is often used by small businesses because of its straightforward nature. 
  • Accrual basis accounting records income once it is invoiced to the customer and records expenses once the bill is entered (even if it has not been paid yet). This is a complex method, used mostly for businesses with $5 million or more in annual revenue.
  • Modified accrual basis accounting combines the best aspects of accrual and cash basis. It recognizes prepaid expenses and offers accrual for inventory and other Balance Sheet categories.

 

As accrual basis accounting is the most complex method, it is the most expensive and time-consuming method to complete. Even if your business needs to account for inventory and accounts payable and receivable, the accrual basis method may not be necessary. The modified accrual method can meet your business needs in a cost-effective and timely manner. 

 

We recommend speaking to your accountant to determine the ideal accounting method for your business. 

Try Us Out

xendoo offers a free trial in which we complete your bookkeeping from the previous month, plus the Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet, so you can experience the xendoo difference for yourself. If you decide that xendoo is not the best fit for you, we will gladly connect you with others in our network so you can find your ideal financial partner. The data and reports are yours to keep in your QuickBooks Online or Xero account. If you choose to partner with us, you will have access to a comprehensive customer portal, with data-driven visualizations, and your financial reports at your fingertips 24/7.

 At this time, Pilot does not offer a free trial. They do weekly demos where business owners can tour the platform and ask questions.

 

For a brief summary of how xendoo and Pilot compare, check out the chart below:

 

Who is Right for You? 

It depends! Every business owner needs financial visibility into their numbers for effective decision-making and growth. If you are looking to simplify your books, xendoo is the best choice for timely, accurate, and worry-free bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services for you and your business. 

xendoo is a team of real people that care about you and your business. Allow us to handle the hassles while you put more money in your pocket, reduce your stress, and get back to doing what you love. So, are we a fit for your business? Let’s talk! Schedule your free consultation today!

xendoo vs. QuickBooks: The Difference

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Black male consultant points to a laptop screen with bookkeeping plan details. He is discussing options with a potential customer, who is out of frame.

hiring a bookkeeper

As more small businesses crop up throughout the country, many business owners are starting to realize that a significant task in managing a company, big or small, is bookkeeping. 

From choosing an accounting method to managing transactions to setting up payroll, bookkeeping can be an extremely confusing and time-consuming process!

That’s why many business owners decide to get bookkeeping help, whether they use a form of online bookkeeping software or hire an accountant. 

For many companies, the best move is to do both! When it comes to running a business, you may have debated the benefits of providers like xendoo and tools like QuickBooks. But which option will work best for you?

Let’s break it down and discover what will work best for your business: xendoo vs. QuickBooks. 

What Is Accounting Software?

Most of us are familiar with the term “software.” Basically, this refers to any sort of program or application you run on your computer that helps you perform a task or complete a goal. Software can come in many forms, from music players and photo editors to games and word processors. 

Accounting software is a program or application that assists you with accounting or bookkeeping tasks. Also referred to as bookkeeping software, it can assist your business with functions like:

  • Accounts payable
  • Accounts receivable
  • Purchase orders
  • Sales orders
  • Payroll

Reliable accounting software will also store your company’s financial data. Some companies prefer to create their own accounting software to fit their specific needs, while other businesses can manage best by purchasing third-party software packages like QuickBooks.

In some cases, a combination of in-house and third-party software is also possible. 

The greatest advantage to any accounting software is that it’s available online at any time and can be updated in an instant. When you compare that to the traditional form of bookkeeping with pen and paper, you can see why investing in online bookkeeping software is so popular in the 21st century! 

Why Do You Still Need an Online Accounting Service?

As a business owner, one of your many responsibilities is finding ways to save money for your business. For a lot of enterprises just starting up, doing online bookkeeping yourself seems like a great way to cut costs. Unfortunately, trying to achieve cost savings by performing highly complex professional work yourself will likely end up backfiring!

Even seemingly small mistakes could also actually cost you a lot of time in the long run. Additionally, you may miss out on important tax benefits, deadlines, and requirements if you simply try to do it all on your own.

In the battle of xendoo vs. Quickbooks, here are some of the other benefits that you can expect from your online accounting service:

Bookkeeping

When you work with xendoo, a dedicated team of experts will take care of all of your online bookkeeping needs — and they’ll do it on time. In less than an hour, we can set up your accounts and get you connected in a view-only mode. 

Once all of that is ready, we’ll reconcile your books each week to ensure that everything is up to date and in order. This leaves you the time that you need to do other kinds of practical work that will help grow your business. 

While we take the time to keep all of your books in a row, you can check in on your finances whenever you’d like. With our customer portal, you receive monthly reports that track everything you need to stay in the loop. Even if you can’t spend the time to go through all of the details, you can trust that our experts will. 

Catch Up

Did you know almost a quarter of all business owners report that they are currently behind on their bookkeeping responsibilities? That’s why another great accounting service offered via xendoo is the ability to provide catch up bookkeeping when you’re behind—not something an online bookkeeping software alone can manage! 

So forget about the stress of catching up on your finances by yourself. At xendoo, we can get all of your financials up to date, whether you are a few months behind or a few years behind. 

Taxes

While it would be much easier just to pretend they don’t exist, paying your taxes as a business owner will always be a part of the job. Going through the filing process and wondering whether you’re doing it right will likely cause you to lose some precious sleep. 

xendoo can take on this major responsibility for you, helping your business to find ways to make the most of tax season. When your business has its books in order, filing taxes is much easier. We won’t just connect you with a random CPA during tax season, though—you’ll have a dedicated, certified account available at all times, whether it’s on April 14th or October 14th. 

How Your Accounting Team Leverages the Best Software

Because these accounting programs can manage to save you time and money, we wouldn’t expect you to simply throw them out the window and lose everything you’ve already invested. That’s why your xendoo accounting team can fully integrate with practically every software out there, whether it’s QuickBooks, Xero, Amazon, Shopify, or any other program. 

Your team will work with the software program you’ve got to find better ways to manage your finances. Think of it like this: The software is your car and xendoo can be the driver. We’re not just any driver, though; we’re a Formula 1 champion racer. 

Your team will be available to you with whatever form of communication is most comfortable for you: email, call, or text. 

At xendoo, our professionals aren’t just there for your business transactions—they can even help you with your personal tax returns! You can rest assured everything will be monitored, managed, and maintained, all without having to lift a finger.

xendoo vs. Quickbooks: The Final Considerations

Whether you run a small cafe with less than $20,000 in monthly expenses or an up-and-coming restaurant with more than $100,000 in monthly expenses, xendoo can take on your small business bookkeeping responsibilities, so you don’t have to. 

With dependable and knowledgeable CPAs dedicated to your financials, you can spend your time on growing and scaling your business. Contact us to learn more today!

Tips to Increase Retail Sales for Your Small Business

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A restaurant worker helps two customers purchase wine

This past year has been incredibly hard on retailers, especially small businesses. Retail sales plunged more than 20% between February and April last year, but with pandemic restrictions easing, the industry is starting to recover. As folks are venturing out more, it’s the perfect time to refresh yourself and your sales associates on tips to help increase retail sales and work towards building your business back up!

Make your customers feel safe

Many people are finding it tough to return to their pre-pandemic selves quickly and are still moving with caution. Help them feel at ease by reminding them they are safe in your shop. Take note of what protocols major retailers are following. For example, hand sanitizer can be available at the entry and the register. Use signage to share your mask policy, cleaning protocol, and any policies on the dressing room or how to use ‘tester’ products. The safer customers feel, the more likely they are to purchase, which will help increase your retail sales.

Curbside pickup and local delivery

 Many stores began offering curbside pickup and local delivery in 2020, and most customers have become accustomed to these services. Keep in mind that today’s customers value convenience,  so continue to offer these alternative methods moving forward. 

Train your staff

While refreshing your team on cross- and up-selling, ensure they are up to speed on the basics, too. For example, do they need a reminder on any specials or promotions you offer? Ensure they are experts on your store’s products and are as informed as possible on your customer service expectations. Please encourage them to think ahead about how they might answer specific questions customers might ask, including all frequently asked questions. If your staff can put your customers at ease, they are more likely to purchase from you than your competitors.

 

A sales woman upsells a product to a customer at checkout

Cross-selling and up-selling

The savviest sales associates know how to cross-sell and up-sell. When a customer is interested in one particular item, the savvy salesperson suggests a corresponding item to go along with it. “If you like that, you will love this, too!” Up-selling suggests a more expensive alternative to the item the customer is already interested in buying. “Oh, that one you have is great, but have you seen this (more expensive) version?” If your customer leaves with an item they will enjoy more and feel like they got a great deal, they are more likely to be a repeat customer, which can further help increase retail sales.

Merchandising

Make the way you merchandise or display your products a priority. Keep your displays fresh and regularly move merchandise around the store, creating a sense of newness and having your regular customers look at products they may have otherwise passed. Feature new and seasonal products near the entrance. Keep everything clean and organized, and ensure it’s easy to navigate the store. Keep popular and inexpensive items near the registers to encourage impulse purchases during check-out. It would be best to keep up on your inventory accounting to ensure that those displays have enough product.

Make it personal

 80% of companies are more likely to purchase from a company that offers them a personal experience. So, how might your store offer a personal touch? Branded items are a great way to connect with your customers creatively – ensure your logo or taglines are on bags, receipts, and automated email receipts. Consider slipping an extra treat into shopping bags, too. Perhaps a small button or magnet with your logo and website. And the best way to get personal is to connect with your customers. Make it a priority to chat, remember their names, and take note of the types of products that interest them.

Loyalty programs

Customers love loyalty programs! Many small businesses still enjoy using classic “buy 10, get 1 free” style punch cards, but there are great digital-focused loyalty programs, too. Options like Loopy Loyalty and Smile.io encourage customers to shop with you again and engage with your brand. And get creative! These programs offer ways to customize the program to match your branding and speak to your customers. As you build your loyalty program, ensure you aren’t creating an unattainable goal. Earning $5 for every $25 you spend feels much more exciting than earning $1 for every $50, right!?

Make time to analyze

Small retail store owners are notoriously stretched for time, but it’s essential to set aside time to review what sales tactics are working and what aren’t. Look at the numbers and strategically think about what might have led to increases or dips in sales on any given day. This is where having professionals like the team at xendoo manage your retail bookkeeping can go a long way. You can quickly review the numbers through accurate and timely reports and determine the most effective sales strategies.

It’s an exciting time for retailers to have a fresh start! Seize the opportunity to train your staff on new sales tactics, refresh your inventory offerings and displays, and get creative with new ways for your customers to engage with your brand. By outsourcing your bookkeeping and accounting to the team at xendoo, you’ll save time and money, and you’ll finally have the data you need to be more strategic about increasing retail sales and remaining profitable.

 

This post is intended to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute as legal, business, or tax advice. Please consult your attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in our content. xendoo assumes no liability for any actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.

How to Setup Your Online Store to Integrate Accounting Software

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A business owner integrates her accounting software for her eCommerce site

You’ve set up your online store set, and orders are starting to come in. But in your rush to pack, ship, and sell, there’s a good chance you haven’t made time to integrate accounting software with your eCommerce software. By downloading a third-party app plug-in, you are just a few clicks away from saving time and money by automatically sharing data between your accounting and eCommerce programs. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s simple!

Most popular online accounting software options like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks all have a menu where you can search for compatible app plug-ins. And most popular eCommerce programs like Shopify, Squarespace, and WooCommerce have a corresponding app available from a third-party software developer. So you can easily install an app to sync the two programs! 

What to Look for E-Commerce Accounting Software

As soon as you begin spending or making money, it’s time to set up your eCommerce bookkeeping and start accounting. There are many affordable online eCommerce accounting software options available. Programs such as QuickBooks Online or Xero store a business’s financial data in the cloud and are always connected to the internet. In addition, they automatically receive and update your data by connecting to your bank accounts. Sounds easy, but not all accounting programs are the same, and there is a lot to choose from. When deciding which program is best for you, you’ll want to consider the following:

  • Compatibility – Does the program work with all of the devices you plan to use? How many users can be simultaneously logged in? Can your international team members log in, too?
  • Cost – Many options have a free plan, but the pricing goes up as your business scales and grows.
  • Support – What are the customer service options? Does the program offer expert bookkeepers and accountants you can hire to take on the work when you are ready to delegate? Can they help you file your taxes?
  • Additional Services – All of the programs offer basic bookkeeping and financial reporting, but what kind of extra offerings does the software have? Some eCommerce trends include hefty employee management solutions to help with payroll, time tracking, and benefits, while others may offer project management tools. Some offer payment processing through third-party partnerships.
  • Integrate accounting software with your eCommerce program – Make sure the two programs sync so you can limit the amount of data entry you are doing. Ideally, you will be able to eliminate manual data entry of sales, invoices, customers, products, and more. 
A woman sits at her computer setting up her eCommerce site

Syncing Your Accounting and E-Commerce Programs

Most popular eCommerce software options, such as Squarespace and Shopify, integrate easily with third-party app plug-ins compatible with accounting programs like QuickBooks and Xero. Once synced, your inventory, orders, customers, and shipping can be automatically updated and will stay accurate. And getting started is easy! Most of these integrations only require a quick authorization and a few clicks to import your eCommerce data into your accounting program.

Below is a list of some popular eCommerce platforms that offer integrations with popular online accounting software programs. Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive, but these are the most popular eCommerce platforms that easily integrate with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks Online. 

Integrating your accounting software with your eCommerce platform can help save you time and money. You’ll be able to get an instant view of your financials, allowing you to plan your sales strategy more effectively. 

A open laptop with a screen showing an eCommerce store.

What Else do I Need to Know About My Accounting Software Integration?

As your eCommerce business grows and you decide to sync your eCommerce software with your accounting software, there are many aspects of eCommerce and accounting that you will want to keep in mind for this integration. For example:

  • Inventory Management – You will want to be able to connect multiple sales channels such as your brick & mortar’s Point of Sale, your Online Store, and your Pop-up location to ensure stock levels always stay up-to-date.
  • Choosing the correct payment gateway – Does the available option match your needs? Will international business be supported?
  • Tax settings – How does the software help you with your sales tax reporting? What role does it play in monitoring important tax deadlines? 

Why You Should Outsource Your E-Commerce Bookkeeping and Accounting

As your eCommerce business grows, you will want to outsource your bookkeeping and accounting to professionals. Even though app integrations with the best accounting software for small businesses are great, many automatic tools such as your monthly reconciliation can be inaccurate. Even a minor error in your bookkeeping can have a ripple effect and lead to everything from your financial reports being inaccurate to your marketing budget and your tax payments. It’s best to have an experienced set of eyes on it! These professionals can even find tax breaks you were missing and help you save even more money! Spend more time growing your business and less time crunching the numbers by working with the team at xendoo. 

This post is intended to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute as legal, business, or tax advice. Please consult your attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in our content. xendoo assumes no liability for any actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.

Choosing the Right Accounting System for Your Shopify Business

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shopify button
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Whether you’re brand new to online retail and trying to decide how to set up your eCommerce business, or you’ve been around a while and simply reached the point where your DIY accounting solution just isn’t cutting it anymore, xendoo’s innovative suite of business offerings can help you. xendoo can get your small business accounting running like a well-oiled machine so you can focus on what’s important – growing your business. To be competitive in the new economy, cloud-based accounting is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Here are some of the best accounting systems for Shopify that can help get your business on track.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based version of the popular and versatile QuickBooks business accounting software. Quickbooks Online accounting system for Shopify allows you to access your account information from any web browser, and the API creates a seamless interface that links directly to xendoo’s platform. That means you can easily organize and sync all of your critical financial data with no tedious manual data entry. Additionally, Quickbooks Online for Shopify allows you to easily create and send invoices, receive payments, pay bills, and manage payroll. 

  • Track income and expenses
  • Capture and organize receipts according to your chart of accounts
  • Download and organize bank account and credit card transactions
  • Print checks
  • Create and send invoices, as well as receive payments
  • Print financial reports
  • Tax organization

A person holds their phone lookig at a recent Shopify order

Xero for E-commerce

QuickBooks is a popular accounting system for Shopify, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. Xero is another cloud-based accounting solution that will appeal to a lot of Shopify store owners. Xero is fast, simple, and powerful. It can sync with hundreds of third-party applications for point-of-sale, inventory, and much more. It also offers a mobile app for convenience and allows customers to create an unlimited number of users. From within the Xero accounting software for Shopify, you can manage your accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget, and category or division tracking. 

  • Customizable dashboard
  • Create invoices and quotes and receive payments
  • Track inventory
  • Bill payment
  • Expense management and project management
  • Create and print financial reports
  • Bank account reconciliation
  • Highly scalable for small or growing businesses

A2X for Shopify

A popular middleware, or “connector,” application that links your Shopify store with your cloud-based accounting system is A2X for Shopify. It automatically posts your Shopify sales and fees directly into QuickBooks or Xero, saving you hours of tedious work each week. That also means no more stressing over why transactions don’t match your bank deposits because A2X eliminates data entry mistakes.

  • Automatically post store data into QuickBooks or Xero
  • Automatically reconcile bank statements
  • Automatically make adjustments for fees and refunds
  • Create and print summarized statements

Coins spills out of a glass jar on a table

TaxJar for Shopify

A major time vampire for business owners who sell on Shopify is state sales tax compliance in the wake of Wayfair, Inc. v. South Dakota (2018), which requires online sellers to comply with sales tax requirements in each state where they do business. TaxJar accounting system for Shopify will streamline your sales tax compliance process by showing you where you should be collecting sales tax according to economic nexus laws and generating return-ready reports. It can even auto-file your returns for you if you want.

  • Calculate sales tax based on each state’s nexus
  • Daily updates allow for timely return filing
  • AutoFile option for automated return filing
  • Display fines and penalties for delinquent filing
  • Compare actual collections to what should have been collected

Shopify Apps

In addition to your accounting software, Shopify offers over 1,000 plug-in applications from their app store to help you with managing inventory, shipping, reporting, and much more. However, we suggest that you fully explore the capabilities of QuickBooks, Xero, A2X, and TaxJar before making any decisions about additional applications. A lot of functionality might be duplicated, and you certainly don’t want to pay for the same thing twice.

In addition to tons of helpful plug-ins, Shopify also features a profit margin calculator. Just plug in your cost of the item and a markup percentage, and Shopify will calculate the sale price, your gross profit in dollars, and your gross margin.

Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping and Accounting

Even though these accounting systems for Shopify can make life much simpler for sellers than even just a few years ago, it can still sometimes feel overwhelming. If you begin to feel like you might be in over your head, you should consider outsourcing your accounting and bookkeeping to a small business accounting firm like xendoo.

There are a lot of good reasons to outsource your accounting for your Shopify eCommerce business, and it’s more affordable than you might think. xendoo’s accounting team works with small business owners just like you to provide expertise and insight into the accounting needs of e-commerce businesses. xendoo can take care of everything from weekly bookkeeping to filing business taxes for you, and our flat monthly fee is less than half of what you’d probably pay an accountant. xendoo’s mission is to give you the peace of mind of knowing it’s being done right, and free your time to focus on what’s important – growing your business. Sign up for a free trial today.

This post is intended to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute as legal, business, or tax advice. Please consult your attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in our content. xendoo assumes no liability for any actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.

 

The Best Online Accounting Software for Small Businesses

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Online accounting software tools

A skilled accountant will keep you tax compliant and ensure that you’re always in-the-know and focused on the big picture when it comes to your financials. Yes, you could try to do it all yourself, but do you have the time or expertise? (Or the interest!?) 

And cost can definitely feel like a huge barrier here – it can be hard for a small business to afford to hire an accountant. Additionally, if you wait until tax time to get it together, it can end up giving you a real headache – hiring an accountant at the last minute with books full of errors could cost you more than you set aside in the first place. Thankfully in 2021, there are many affordable online accounting software options available for small businesses.

What does online accounting software do?

Online accounting software stores a business’s financial data in the cloud, and is often used to perform business transactions such as invoicing clients and cutting checks. Most modern accounting software platforms, such as Quickbooks Online or Xero, are always connected to the internet, and they automatically receive and update your data by connecting to your bank accounts. With these platforms, you have access to your books from any internet-capable device, like your laptop or smartphone. Most of these programs automatically enter, store, and analyze data for you which is especially useful for saving time on tasks like bank reconciliation. Not all accounting programs were made equally, though! Different kinds of accounting software programs are made for different businesses. Some come with tons of features and are good for larger teams or international markets, like Xero, while others focused on small businesses with a sole bookkeeper, like Quickbooks.

The best online accounting software for a small business offers useful tools like invoicing, bill payment, payroll, and financial reporting. Many even offer tools for project management and time tracking. xendoo can take much of the daily bookkeeping work off your plate—we utilize Quickbooks and Xero accounting software, so you have ownership of your financial records while benefiting from the xendoo online bookkeeping and accounting team.

Why your small business needs accounting software

Your small business can benefit from online accounting software if you’re just plain bad at math, unorganized, or find it hard to conceptualize finances and consistently track incoming cash. Having a clear set of invoice and payment records is one of the most important things a small business can do to set itself up for success. Online accounting software provides tracking and up-to-date visibility to the financial health of your business, so you can make smart decisions and be tax-ready all year long. And the most common reason of all for why your small business needs accounting software is that you are too busy focusing on the ins and outs of running your business to take on all of the bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes on your own!

Our picks for the best online accounting software for small business: 

Xero

Xero prides itself on providing fast, simple, powerful accounting software that all of your users can access at the same time, regardless of their different locations or operating systems. Xero offers a variety of user-friendly features to help you run your business, such as paying bills, claiming expenses, and accepting payments. 

The Xero model of using a single unified ledger is particularly helpful for businesses that have team members working internationally or even in different time zones – everyone can work in the same books at the same time. And it’s a good choice for businesses that are growing or that change frequently – Xero is known for having a large amount of secure connections with financial institutions around the world and integrates with more than 500 third-party apps, plug-ins, and products so you can craft a solution that meets your ever-changing needs.

Choosing Xero for your accounting software needs is a great choice, but keep in mind that you will still need to manage the software on your own, perform your own data entry and bookkeeping, and will likely still need to hire an external CPA for tax filing. If you don’t have any bookkeeping experience there’s always a chance you will use the tools incorrectly. Additionally, Xero might not be the best choice for you if phone support is important to you as they only offer customer support over email, or through their online resources.

Wave

Wave offers online financial software designed with entrepreneurs in mind. Sole proprietors love the price tag – they offer accounting software, invoicing, and receipt scanning for free. Keep in mind these are the tools – you will still need to understand how to manage it all on your own. Without any background or experience, there is always a chance you will use the tools incorrectly.

Additionally, under separate paid plans, Wave offers bookkeeping services, payroll services, and online payment processing. It is an excellent choice for very small businesses but isn’t suitable for larger businesses. Unlike most other online accounting software options, Wave doesn’t offer robust mobile apps or additional useful tools like project management and time tracking. It’s the best free option for basic accounting software but lacks additional features that growing businesses need. Wave is owned by the tax preparation company H&R Block.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software options for small and mid sized businesses. QuickBooks was originally released in 1983 and is owned by Intuit, who also makes financial programs TurboTax and Mint. QuickBooks Online is their online accounting software and offers all the robust features you would expect from financial software – accepting business payments, managing and paying bills, payroll options, customer support, and more – all for a set monthly fee.

For additional fees, QuickBooks Online can connect you with recommended bookkeepers and advisors. QuickBooks Online is one of the most trusted online accounting software options out there, but keep in mind that you still need to know what you are doing – QuickBooks doesn’t do the work for you. Without any training in bookkeeping, it’s very easy to use the tools incorrectly.

Zoho Books

Zoho offers a suite of online productivity tools and apps. Their online accounting software, Zoho Books, is a popular affordable option for very small businesses who do not need integrated payroll within their software. They offer most of the features you’d expect from an online accounting software solution – except for integrated payroll, which is very important to most businesses. Additionally, Zoho Books caps transactions at a certain size on their highest paid plan – something worth noting if your business is growing rapidly. As with most other online accounting software options, you still need to manage everything yourself and know what you are doing. You will need to handle all bookkeeping and accounting on your own, and will likely need to hire an external CPA to manage your taxes and help you stay compliant.

Why you should hire an accountant for your business

When you outsource your accounting you save time and money right off the bat, and ultimately contributes to the overall health and success of your small business because having a clear and accurate picture of your financial records is absolutely key. Investing in help to properly manage and organize your finances and operations ensures that you are hitting your profit goals, staying legally compliant, and contributing to the success and prosperity of your business. 

xendoo syncs up with partner software platforms Quickbooks and Xero, to save time, improve accuracy, and keep your books up to date. This makes it easy to transition from working alone and trying to do it all yourself – plus it’s easy if you ever need to change platforms because your bookkeeping software goes with you. 

xendoo does your monthly bookkeeping for you – providing a monthly profit and loss report, and a balance sheet report. And it also keeps you IRS compliant and takes care of your tax returns. You can see your revenue and profitability trends over time. And whenever you need to talk to your financial team, they’re available via text, call, or email. 

A major benefit to working with xendoo is that it utilizes Quickbooks and Xero for bookkeeping. Plus xendoo’s in-house CPAs prepare and file your business tax returns all under the same roof as xendoo bookkeepers, who are all located in the U.S. Tax consulting is also available throughout the year in most plans. Most of their online accounting packages include weekly bookkeeping, tax consulting, tax preparation and filing, dashboards, profit & loss statements, balance sheet, and a dedicated bookkeeper. 

With xendoo’s all in-house online small business bookkeeping and accounting expertise, you’ll have the ability to take your bookkeeping software if you decide to hand it over to someone else – making xendoo a safe and dependable first choice in online accounting software for small businesses.

Ready to have those books off your hands? Contact us to schedule a free consultation.