The focus of this category is on computer software and software systems used in business accounting or bookkeeping.
Commonly, bookkeeping and accounting are used interchangeably. There is a difference between the two terms, however. Bookkeeping is a part of accounting, whereas accounting is a wider concept.
Literally, bookkeeping refers to the activity of maintaining (keeping) financial records (books), or the recording of financial transactions and events. The books are the books of accounts. Thus, among the tasks performed by bookkeeping software are the input of invoice and voucher details into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, receiving and recording payments made by customers or clients, as well as payments to vendors, and efficiently processing payroll information.
Accounting is the process that includes recording, classifying, summarizing, and interpreting the financial information of an economic unit. The economic unit is regarded as a separate legal entity. Accounting information is used for several purposes, including preparation of a trial balance, ledger accounts, and financial statements, as well as for the analysis of financial data.
Bookkeeping has to do mostly with the process of identifying, measuring, recording, and classifying financial transactions. It is the beginning stage of accounting and acts as a base for accounting. The objective of bookkeeping is to maintain proper and systematic records of financial transactions.
Accounting begins where bookkeeping ends. It is the process of summarizing, interpreting, and communicating financial transactions which were classified in the ledger account as a part of bookkeeping, its objective being to ascertain the financial position of the company and to form a means of communicating this to relevant parties.
As mentioned, however, accounting and bookkeeping are often treated as synonymous terms, and many of the bookkeeping and accounting software systems perform both functions.
Accounting software generally consists of application software that records and processes accounting transactions, and may include modules for accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, and trial balance, which together function as an accounting system. Other modules might include stock or inventory, a purchase order system, or sales orders.
Business accounting software might be acquired as an off-the-shelf software package with local options, developed by a third-party for the specific needs of the company or for industry demands, or it may be developed in-house. Packages may be cloud-based, accessed by any Internet-enable device, or it may be installed on a company desktop or Intranet.
Personal accounting software, targeted toward home users, and supporting accounts-payable accounting transactions, budget management, and account reconciliation modules, may also be listed in this category.
Accounting and bookkeeping software may be purchased outright or subscribed to through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) system.
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A subsidiary of National Software, an Arizona corporation, 1099 Fire focuses solely on the information reporting industry, developing and maintaining software for year-end compliance of 1042-S, 097-BTC, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8027, 8955-SSA, 8966-FATCA, @-2G, and W-2 forms, as well as the ACA 1095-B and 1095-C forms, allowing users to import, print, and eFile information returns quickly and easily. Primarily sold within the United States, its products may be purchased online.
https://www.1099fire.com/
Licensed under the GNU Public License from the Free Software Foundation, Akaunting is online accounting software, hosted on GitHub, that includes all of the tools necessary to manage money, from invoicing, to expense tracking, to accounting. As open-source software, there are no setup fees or hidden charges. Promising an easy-to-use interface, mobile and tablet interface, multilingual admin and client panel, and lifetime free updates, the tool is designed for small businesses.
https://akaunting.com/
In business since 1984, CheckMark is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, from where it offers desktop payroll and accounting software for the United States and Canadian markets. Its software products include CheckMark Payroll, CheckMark MultiLedger, CheckMark 1099, and CheckMark 1095, and it also offers checks, envelopes, business forms, tax forms, a cloud backup service, and payroll and accounting services, human resource services, and time and attendance documentation.
https://www.checkmark.com/
Available free of charge, the desktop version will facilitate the preparation of accounts receivable, accounts payable, a general ledger, and payroll, as well as multi-user access, customizable PDF documents, and online access from anywhere. The software is intended to be intuitive, with no training required, although video tutorials and documentation are available, along with taxation and accounting guides. Based in Australia, a software license agreement is available.
https://www.freeaccountingsoftware.com.au/
In operation since 1955, H&R Block is a tax preparation company operating throughout North America, Australia, and India. Besides its tax preparation services, the company offers a line of tax preparation software, its Basic, Deluxe, and Premium packages supporting Windows and Mac platforms, while its Premium & Business package operates on Windows only. Each of its plans is compared side-by-side, with details for each, as well as prices. Purchased plans may be downloaded.
https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/
Founded in 1983, Intuit is a financial software company that develops and markets financial, accounting, and tax preparation software and related services for individuals, accountants, and small businesses, most of its business coming from the United States. Its best-known products include QuickBooks, TurboTax, and Mint, although it also offers ProConnect Tax Online, ProSeries, Lacerte, and QuickBooks for Accountants. Its products, support services, and partnerships are highlighted.
https://www.intuit.com/
Acquired by Intuit in 2009, the web-based personal financial management service is active in the United States and Canada, whose users track bank, credit card, investment, and loan balances and transactions through a single user interface, along with budgets and financial goals. Its features are highlighted, and an overview of how it works is provided, and a help section assists with login and multi-factor authentication, accounts, transactions, and bill tracking.
https://www.mint.com/
The Ohio-based software company offers basic and premium accounting packages, basic and full-service payroll packages, and human resource software as an add-on to its online payroll packages. Its packages and features are listed and described, and a thirty-day free trial can be requested. Other resources include a press kit, press blog, an introduction to its management team, core values, and a franchise program for accountants, certified public accountants, and bookkeepers.
https://www.patriotsoftware.com/
The UK-based company provides accounting, payroll, and other business software to mid-sized companies nationwide. Its flagship product is Opera 3, an accounting and business system that integrates finance, payroll, human resources, supply chain management, business intelligence, document management, manufacturing and construction. Product features are set forth, and a product demo and brochure are available. A purchase includes consultation, support, training, and customization.
https://www.pegasus.co.uk/
Licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License of the Free Software Foundation, the PyKota print accounting software, and related utilities and libraries may be freely downloaded from the site. Development notes and releases are posted to the site, and sponsors and sponsorship amounts are posted since 2003. Other resources include a support wiki, mailing lists, a bug tracker, and information about each of the files in the repository.
http://www.pykota.com/
Previously part of Intuit, but separating in 2016, Quicken is a personal finance management software tool, with versions for Windows, Classic Mac OS, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms, the software package is available for a yearly subscription. There are three options, Deluxe, Premier, and Home & Business, the features of which are listed for each, in side-by-side comparisons, with prices. Documentation, customer reviews, and an online community support forum are available.
https://www.quicken.com/
Available from Shortcutsoft, Inc., RichOrPoor is a full-featured money-management software package for small businesses, families, or individuals. Available for the Windows platform, the software helps users to track income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and other tasks, as well as checking, savings, credit cards, cash, investments, and budgets. It may be purchased and downloaded through the site. Its features are listed, screenshots are included, and contact data is posted.
http://www.shortcutsoft.com/
The Sage Group is a British-based international software company whose core product offers solutions for accounting, payroll, human capital management, and payments, marketed under the Sage Business Cloud umbrella, as well as Sage 50cloud, the US version of which was previously known as Peachtree Accounting. Its accounting and finance, people and payroll, and business management systems for small and medium businesses are highlighted, along with its other products and services.
https://www.sage.com/en-us/
Sage is a British multinational software enterprise based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, which offers two payroll software packages, Sage Business Cloud Payroll and Sage 50Cloud Payroll, both cloud-based. Accredited by HM Revenue & Customs, program features and other details are given, along with prices and discount offers. Other resources include a free downloadable e-book describing how to harness one's ambition to build a profitable business.
https://www.sage.com/en-gb/payroll-software/
Producing a variety of products for Apple platforms, Snowmint was founded in 2002, its flagship product being Budget, a personal finance program with versions available for macOS and Mac OS X operating systems, as well as for Microsoft Windows. Other products include Budget Touch, for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, which may be integrated with Budget, as well as Budget Planner and Budget Workbook. Installation instructions, documentation, and a trial version are available.
http://www.snowmintcs.com/
Established in 1998, TaxAct is a provider of digital and download tax preparation software for individuals, business owners, and tax professionals, its forms IRS and state-approved. The company offers online and downloadable products. There are three levels of online tax products, depending on the client’s needs, and four levels of downloadable products, each of which are highlighted here, with prices and other details. Those filing online may check their return status through the site.
https://www.taxact.com/
WorkWave has headquarters in the United States and Italy. Its PestPac product is marketed to small to medium businesses and enterprise-level pest control operations, offering software to help run day-to-day operations, generate more leads, close more sales, and retain customers. The product is available for residential and commercial pest control operations and is both flexible and scalable, allowing companies to function in their current state and grow as needs change.
https://www.pestpac.com/
A developer of IT asset management and fixed asset management software, xAssets has offices in the United States and the United Kingdom and has corporate and government customers worldwide. Its products are configurable, scalable, and intuitive, with military-grade security, offering accessible pricing with a focus on a return on investment and ongoing adaptation to meet client requirements. Its products and pricing are outlined, and an informational blog is included.
https://www.xassets.com/
Offering three monthly subscription plans, the financial software program includes will facilitate invoicing, inventory, payroll, bank connections and reconciliation, information security, bill pay, expenses, price quotes, reporting, payments, purchase orders, multi-currency tracking, files storage, contacts and lists, sales taxes, fixed assets, and project tracking, including a customizable dashboard, a business performance dashboard, and an integrated mobile application.
https://www.xero.com/us/
Based in Utah, the software offers a complete but easy-to-use accounting system, both one-time and recurring billing, a full suite of tracking and reporting features, and automated expense tracking. Besides a free starter program, the company offers two monthly subscription plans and a custom-priced accountant package, each of which is highlighted here, with the features listed, pricing, and additional information. Sample reports are presented and client testimonials are posted.
https://zipbooks.com/
