Cloud Accounting Businesses are making effective use of the cloud accounting solutions out there and are collaborating with them to ensure their entire financial environment is working properly. There are several different ways of enabling cloud technology in your business, including Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Software (SaaS).
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
With this option, you rent server space with a PaaS provider such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google or IBM – your cloud platform. All programs and data are copied and stored from the server in your office to the cloud platform.
You access your cloud platform over the web using Remote Desktop Connection in Windows or an app for your phone or tablet. It couldn’t be easier – your desktop is available pretty much anywhere, all the programs and data you need are ready to use, just as they were when they were on your office-based server.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Xero, QuickBooks Online, SageOne – these are some of the cloud accounting services that have burst on to the accounting stage in recent years. It couldn’t be simpler – you access them from any web browser on a phone, tablet or PC and off you go.
There are obviously some advantages and some drawbacks to using this option:-
On the plus side:
- You can download bank and credit card transactions straight into the software
- You can use invoice import technology such as Receiptbank to upload invoices from suppliers
- Accessibility is universal
On the minus side:
- Too many users don’t invest in training at the start and, often unknowingly, create and rely on the wrong numbers!
- For each new task you need to open a new web page which can be slow and it’s all too easy to close by mistake a page you were working on
- Reports available in these packages are not as powerful and as easy to use and modify as the reporting in the best of the desktop software
Importing data into cloud accounting software can be much easier than the desktop equivalent but getting information out is more powerful in the best of the desktop packages.
Globally, millions of pounds are being invested in cloud accounting software and it will continue to improve.
Working in the Cloud with an accountant
Some accountancy firms only use specific cloud accounting services, and can leave the client with either an inadequate accountant or an inadequate software or even both. Moving away can then be difficult.
At Broadwing Accountancy we support businesses whatever software they’re using. If we can see improvements through changing software, we will highlight them but essentially we want to help every business to be successful and to make the best of the software and the cloud solution that works for them.
So, if you want to embrace cloud technology, we can help you implement this solution. To find out how Broadwing Accountancy could benefit you and your company, contact Brian Munjanja on 01604 328328, or email your questions to [email protected].
