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Welcome to Productivity Month 2021! This past year many of us had to put our lives and businesses on hold due to the global pandemic, but now it’s time to put 2020 behind us. Each week this month we will be featuring a new productivity tool that can help you build your business back stronger than ever.
All of the tools in this series are affordable, cloud-based, and built to scale with your business. If you have questions the tools featured, feel free to contact us at Contact@BlueSparkSolution.com.
Our first productivity tool needs no introduction. If you haven’t used QuickBooks, you’ve probably heard of it. Estimates suggest that up to 80% of U.S. small businesses use QuickBooks to manage their accounting. However, a lot has changed since QuickBooks was first released in 1983. QuickBooks now has an easy-to-use online version that is full of features that can save your business time and money. Whether you are a QuickBooks Desktop pro or have never used an accounting system, we recommend you consider adding QuickBooks Online to your business’ productivity stack this year.
What does it do?
QuickBooks Online is an accounting software that allows you to track income, expenses, and manage all of the financial aspects of your business in one place. The software can show you how much your customers owe and how much you owe your vendors. It also allows you to accept payments, send statements, track time, and run payroll quickly and easily. It is a one-stop-shop for business finances.
Why does it matter?
All businesses are required by law to keep basic records and to file and pay taxes. QuickBooks Online helps you do that, but more importantly, it provides you with a real-time snapshot of how your business is doing. Are you making money? What products and services should you focus on? The business insights you can glean from an effective accounting system are invaluable, and in 2021, we want to make sure that Productive means Profitable.
Why We Recommend QuickBooks Online
Easy to Use
Even if accounting feels like a foreign language to you, Quickbooks Online is easy to use. Step-by-step guides and tutorials walk you through setup. The interface is clean, the layout is intuitive, and all of the features are clearly labelled. If you do get stuck, there are a ton of support articles and videos to help you get back on track.
Connects to Everything
QuickBooks Online connects directly to your bank accounts and credit cards to pull in transactions as they happen. This reduces data entry and gives you a real-time picture of your business. QuickBooks Online also has an extensive App library with hundreds of integrations to help you connect the tools you already use to your new finance hub.
Travels Well
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based, meaning that you can access your information wherever you are. There is an easy-to-use mobile app that allows you to track income, expenses, upload receipts and more, all from your smartphone or tablet.
Top Productivity Features
Track Receipts
Expenses are part of doing business, but time-consuming expense tracking does not have to be. With QuickBooks Online, you can take a picture of your receipts on the mobile app or forward any invoices in your email directly to QuickBooks. The software will then automatically match the receipt to an existing transaction. Expense report done.
Accept Credit Cards
It’s 2021, people. No more waiting for a check to arrive in the mail, bringing it to the bank, and waiting for it to cash. Make it easier on yourself and your clients by accepting credit cards right on your invoices. In QuickBooks Online, you can create and send professional invoices that include payment methods such as credit cards and ACH transfers.
Automation is the name of the productivity game. Every company focused on growth in 2021 should be looking for tools that can automate their processes.
Automate Processes
QuickBooks Online is full of features that automate away repetitive tasks. Here are a few of our favorites:
Rules: Create rules to categorize repeat transactions automatically as they come in. The Zoom bill goes to Software; the Chipotle charge goes to Meals.
Recurring transactions: Do you bill your clients the same amount every month? Set up a recurring invoice.
Auto-send reports: Program QuickBooks Online to send you and your team a sales report each month to show how you’re doing.
In addition to all of these features, what we like most about QuickBooks Online is that it can grow with your business. There are options available at every size and price point. If you’re interested in learning more about QuickBooks Online, set up a free consultation today.
We’re QuickBooks ProAdvisors
A ProAdvisor is a QuickBooks-certified independent accounting professional who provides strategic insights to drive small business success. We have helped hundreds of small businesses use QuicksBooks to achieve their goals.