How to choose accounting software? 5 things worth paying attention to

When starting a business, accounting is usually not the first thing on your mind. Finding your first clients, sending out proposals, or growing sales feel much more critical.

However, the day comes when there are simply too many Excel files, invoices accumulate, and the answer to “Has the client paid yet?” has to be hunted down in several different places.

That is when most people start looking for accounting software.

But how do you understand which one is actually worth your attention?

The choice in the market is huge. Some programs offer hundreds of features, others tempt you with low prices, and some promise to automate your entire accounting. However, a good program is not necessarily the one with the most features. It is the one that makes your daily work easier.

Here are five things to look out for before making your decision.

1. The software must save you time, not consume it

Try to estimate how much time you spend on administrative tasks each week.

• Issuing invoices
• Checking payments
• Searching for documents
• Tracking client debts

If a good accounting program allows you to do these tasks twice as fast, you will save dozens of hours a year.

Therefore, when choosing a program, ask yourself one simple question: Will this program help me work faster than I do now? If the answer is unclear, it is worth looking for another solution.

2. It must be easy to use

Sometimes it seems that the more features a program has, the better it is. In practice, the opposite is often true. If you have to click ten buttons just to issue a single invoice, the software will quickly become frustrating.

A good accounting system allows you to perform key tasks intuitively. Even someone who is not an accountant should be able to understand where to find clients, how to issue an invoice, or how to review revenue.

Therefore, before making a decision, be sure to try a demo or a trial version. After just a few minutes, it usually becomes clear whether the program is comfortable for you. The SimplBooks accounting software has a demo version, which you can find in the website footer.

3. Think beyond today

Today you might issue 15 invoices a month.

In a year, that number could be 150.

Therefore, it is worth choosing a program that grows with your business.

Find out:

• Can you add more users?
• Does the program support e-invoicing?
• Can you integrate your bank?
• Is it suitable for VAT payers?
• Can your accountant log into the same system?

The fewer processes you have to change in the future, the easier it will be to grow.

4. Automation brings more value than it seems

Many business owners think that a few minutes here or there won’t change anything. But let’s do the math.

If you spend two extra minutes manually on each invoice, and you issue 100 invoices a month, that adds up to more than three hours.

Over a year, that is almost two full working days.

Automated processes allow you to:

• issue invoices faster
• send recurring invoices
• import bank transactions
• monitor unpaid invoices
• find the required information much quicker

This is time you can spend on your clients or business development.

5. Don’t forget customer support

Even the best software raises questions sometimes. Maybe you are issuing a credit note for the first time. Maybe you need help with VAT. Maybe you can’t seem to find a specific function.

In these situations, it is crucial that you get help quickly.

Before choosing a program, look into:

• Is support provided in Lithuanian?
• What channels can you use to get in touch?
• Is there a help center with articles and video tutorials?
• What do other users say about the customer service?

Sometimes, outstanding customer support is the very reason why companies stick with the same program for years.

Excel or accounting software?

If you are just starting a business, Excel may seem sufficient. However, in the long run, it starts causing more and more headaches.

If you increasingly notice that accounting takes up more time than before, it is likely time to transition to accounting software.

And what about artificial intelligence?

In recent years, artificial intelligence has been rapidly transforming accounting software as well. It can help you find information faster, analyze financial data, or answer questions about your company’s performance indicators.

For example, instead of analyzing a long report, you can simply ask:

“What were the largest expenses last month?”

Modern systems, such as SimplBooks, already offer AI features that help you quickly understand your company’s financial situation and daily accounting processes. This is not a feature you will use just for the sake of novelty. It can genuinely save you time when searching for information.

Conclusion

When choosing accounting software, it is worth looking at more than just the price.

What matters much more is how much time it will save you, how easy it is to use, and whether it will remain convenient in a year or two as your business grows. Take the time to try out a few solutions, compare their features, and evaluate which one best meets your daily needs.

After all, a good accounting program should work for you, not the other way around.

Read also: What ensures the reliability and security of accounting software?