Keeping an eye on financial transactions can be taxing, especially if your small business is expanding quickly. That’s why many small business owners prefer to automate their accounts in Singapore.
Accounting software takes away the hassle of settling your accounts manually. Many automated accounting services on the market use cloud technology to help small businesses like yours cut down on the time taken to settle your books.
Automated accounting software does this by giving you a space to monitor expenses, transactions, and invoices all in one spot. This also helps to reduce the chance of calculation errors that are common with manually accounting processes.
Looking for the best accounting software tools for small businesses? We’ve done the research for you.
Pros: One of the most popular accounting softwares on the market, Xero is well-designed and easy to use for business owners new to accounting. Xero is also one of the most compatible programmes with other systems, which makes it easy to integrate with other finance tracking softwares you might be using for your business. It also includes automatic tax calculations linked to IRAS regulations.
Cons: There have been quite a few complaints about Xero’s inconsistent customer service. Some customers have also experienced difficulty with bank integration.
Pros: Formally known as MYOB, ABSS is one of the more familiar accounting systems amongst business owners in the region. It offers a pretty robust inventory tracking system, along with an automated processing of your sales and purchases, report generation, and customisable invoices.
Cons: ABSS starts off at one user for ABSS accounting, with up to a maximum of 15 users for ABSS Premier. However, MYOB does not have a mobile app at the moment, which can be pretty tricky if you’re a business owner that’s constantly on the go.
Pros: This accounting software is a multi-currency and multi-entity integrated platform. Which means all your currency gains and losses will be automatically tracked in your dashboard. It’ll also be able to handle the accounting of multiple entities, allowing cross-billing, receipts and funds transfers.
Cons: It’s very easily integrated with other SmartCursor applications, but might face a few difficulties when matched with softwares out of the brand.
Pros: Sage’s Business Cloud Accounting system allows business owners to forecast their cash flow on a comprehensive dashboard. Identify where you could save and spend on, and make clever business decisions with Sage. You’ll also be able to send and track invoices sent out, which makes tracking payments way easier.
Cons: Take note that Sage’s software does not come with payroll features, so an expense tracker or payroll software integration might be required.
Pros: Tally is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that enables organisations to generate GST invoices, manage inventories and conduct multi-currency accounting flows.
Cons: The interface of Tally is a little outdated as compared to new softwares, which might lead to it being less intuitive for users.
Pros: As an open source application, GnuCash’s free-to use interface is definitely a draw for many business owners. It’s easy to navigate interface makes it fuss-free when you’re managing transaction reports.
Cons: Being a downloadable programme online means GnuCash is a little short on the support front. It’s also a little difficult to import data from other apps, which might be a consideration for some users.
Pros: Oracle NetSuite is another ERP used by companies to manage inventory, maintain CRM systems and monitor transactions. It remains one of the trusted players in the field because of its scalability. Which means it’s tools for billing, revenue, and accounting management are versatile and forward-looking.
Cons: It’s a pretty comprehensive set of tools, so it might be quite overwhelming for small business owners who have no background in accounting. The tools are also very much tailored to rapidly expanding businesses, which might not suit the needs of small businesses.
Pros: Features organised and insightful business reports in a digestible dashboard. Also has automatic tax calculations, and is able to handle large billing volumes — great if you’re handling a huge influx of transactions a day.
Cons: Currently, it does not offer inventory management or a payroll service. Mobile app features are also pretty limited, so you might have to migrate accounting systems once your business expands.
Pros: With invoicing templates to help you create your own personalised invoices and sales receipts, QuickBooks really does live up to its name. Photograph and save receipts on the go with the Quickbooks mobile app, and get instant insights through automated financial reports. Quickbooks also easily integrates with your bank!
Cons: Customer service has been said to be a little slow. On top of that, the learning curve for QuickBooks might not be as friendly as other accounting softwares in the market.
Pros: Highnix offers five different ERP configurations to choose from. All configurations come with inventory management, analytics report generation, language on demand services, and tax reports. Features such as concurrent user limits expand depending on which configuration your business opts for.
Cons: As an ERP system, Highnix does not have a mobile application, which might be a problem if you’d like to have real-time updates on your financial accounts.
Pros: Other than the fact that Wave is completely free to use, it also comes with a host of other benefits. This includes a double-entry system, unlimited income and expense tracking, unlimited collaborators on the account and invoicing in any currency.
Cons: Wave is yet to integrate a payroll feature into its mix of features, and has limited third party app collaborations. However, it’s affordability and user-friendliness makes it a great option for small businesses and freelancers.
Pros: Easily accessible from any device, Financio is a perfect choice for business owners constantly on the go. It’s easy set-up also makes it great for business owners with no accounting knowledge.
Cons: Financio currently has not implemented a bank integration feature, which might be a deal-breaker for some business owners.
Pros: Autocount features include payroll modules, inventory and accounting. It also has an integrated Point of Sale (POS) system for both retail and F&B operations that comes with real-time data synchronisation.
Cons: Unfortunately, Autocount is unable to generate customisable reports.
Pros: Extremely user-friendly interface that makes for easy navigation. Zoho Books also allows role-based access, which means you can add your colleagues and accountants into your account for ease of management. Features include time tracking, bank integration, report generation and inventory tracking.
Cons: Although Zoho Books does have over 50 report templates, they have limitations on creating advanced financial reports.
Pros: It’s simple and clean user-interface makes Kashoo a top pick for small business owners just starting on their accounting journey. It comes with OCR receipt matching, bulk edit options, and bank integrations to make your accounting process ultra-easy.
Cons: Currently does not have an android app, and lacks inventory and time tracking features.
Pros: Easily understandable reports, invoicing systems, bank integration and payroll management? KashFlow has it all. Manage all your accounting needs through KashFlow’s app dashboard, which features real-time updates.
Cons: No inventory management or CRM system, which might make it a little difficult for e-commerce sites with high sales volumes.
Pros: Sunrise is lauded as one of the most easy to use free accounting softwares in the market. With bank account and Zapier integration, this means that your workflows can be automatically streamlined across productivity apps such as Gmail, Dropbox, and more
Cons: If you’re a medium sized business that’s growing rapidly, you might want to choose a software that offers more robust features like team collaboration and project tracking.
Pros: The ZipBooks Starter Account allows unlimited invoices, digital payments via Square and PayPal, and the creation of basic financial reports.
Cons: The Starter Account only allows for the connection of one bank account, and doesn’t have a robust set of features. If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, considering upgrading to their Smarter account for US$15 a month.
Pros: Automate your day to day bookkeeping processes with Pandle. Simply import your bank transactions and card statements before categorising your business spend. Pandle also allows you to insert payment links on customer invoices to get paid quicker.
Cons: Pandle currently does not have inventory management under its feature list. The free account also does not include receipt uploads or project management. However, interested business owners can upgrade to Pandle Pro for US$7 a month, which offers you access to a more extensive list of features.
Pros: Fully integrated with Xero, get real-time updates on your business spend with the Aspire App. Your Aspire Business Account and Visa Card are automatically linked to Xero, which makes accounting for your business a walk in the park. You’ll also be able to give your accountants access to business accounts, streamlining bookkeeping processes.
Cons: Currently there isn’t inventory management or expense management within the app, although these features can be expected with new updates.
You’ll definitely be juggling a lot of things as a small business owner. That’s why enlisting the help of an accounting software tool can really help to free up time for the essentials—business strategy.
When choosing the best accounting software for your business, do take into account things like scalability, cost, and ease of use. Doing so can help save time and cost in the long-run.