Microsoft Accounting Software? --

Is It Worth The Cost? -- Nothing???

You can get Microsoft accounting software for free! Why wouldn't you use it? After all Microsoft products are everywhere and it's the leader. Here's the scoop.

To choose accounting software, first sit down (maybe standing would work too!) and decide what you need from accounting software. Everyone who needs accounting software needs some of the same functions. Those include all the core accounting functions like general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, invoicing, bill payment, and maybe on-line banking. The good news is that Microsoft accounting software does all that in the free version, that's the Microsoft Office Accounting Express version.

It does more too. For one thing it's integrated with all the other Microsoft Office software you're probably already used to using. That cuts down on the learning curve. And I tell you learning accounting software is a big part of the cost of going to an accounting system. Plus the more powerful the software, the more difficult the software is to use.

Another plus to the Express version, is the option to integrate the system with other services. Options can tie to other payroll systems, plus tax add-ons, plus credit card processing, plus eBay and others.

So the Microsoft accounting software is a versatile, cheap solution for the home business or start-up small business.

But if you have a larger business or as your business grows you may need more functions than you can get in the Express software. Then you can move up to the Microsoft Office Accounting Professional version. It's more expensive, but more powerful.

Then you're able to get more reports plus many more function. You can do inventory tracking. You can track job costs. You have budget capability including cash flow forecasting. So there's much more power. Maybe you need the power, maybe you don't. That's where it's essential to decide exactly what you need from an accounting system. You see, it could be a total waste of time to install a free accounting system if it won't do what you need done.

But the Microsoft Office Accounting Professional, though it's not free, is still a strong alternative to other accounting software like Quicken and Peachtree. Especially if you like the fact that's it's seamlessly integrated with other Microsoft products.

Microsoft accounting software has a couple of really strong options for your small business accounting requirements.