If you own a small business, you may still be using a spreadsheet or the traditional pen and paper method to maintain accounting records. You may also have been using over-the-shelf accounting software. The above alternatives, no matter how popular they may be, are really outdated and old-fashioned. Most of these systems are prone to error and can result in many problems. Thus, an alternative solution has been developed to replace the old accounting systems. Today, more and more businesses are turning to cloud accounting systems to fulfil their needs. Cloud accounting is available to anybody who has an Internet connection; it is easy to use, and saves both time and money.
Although a spreadsheet or pen-and-paper solution is still the cheapest alternative when it comes to keeping financial records, cloud accounting software is not expensive either. There are various cloud accounting suppliers that can offer their services for as low as $19.95 per month. There is no need to install a copy of the software on your office computer and you need not pay for licenses. Aside from the cost savings, cloud computing also saves time, thereby allowing you to concentrate on your business operations.
Cloud accounting can be accessed safely anytime and anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. It is able to automatically back up all your accounting data daily, and this backup data is usually kept on multiple servers. Therefore, you won’t have to worry if your office computer crashes—your data is safe in a remote location. Because you can access your accounting data through an Internet browser, you can be anywhere in the world and still be able to check your financial reports and transactions. Cloud accounting is simple to use and is very similar to the traditional accounting software you’ve become accustomed to. Most cloud accounting applications are convenient to use and can be accessed quickly.
Many businesses are now geared towards telecommuting, and having a virtual office is expected to be the future of work. Large businesses have started to take steps in this direction, and are now starting to build remote work groups. The general public is also becoming interested and curious about telecommuting’s advantages, as the technology of remote access continues to redefine the concept of an office. Because of the advancement of technologies in the fields of video conferencing, instant messaging, voice-over-IP, and virtual private networks, it is now possible to create a virtual office that can connect computers remotely through broadband Internet.
Telecommuting has its advantages for both employees and employers. Firstly, it allows each employee to observe flexible work schedules, while for the employer, it means you can save on salaries and infrastructure expenses. In general, telecommuting employees are only paid 70 percent of what is paid to non-virtual workers.
Statistics also show that fuel costs can be reduced by as much as 20 percent when an employee telecommutes once a week. Aside from the fuel savings one can gain by telecommuting, it also reduces environmental hazards. It is the relentless advance of technology that is paving the way for the creation of virtual offices, and HR managers are realizing that employees do not need face-to-face interaction to do a job well. In order to retain talented employees, businesses are now finding it necessary to become amenable to telecommuting. Furthermore, telecommuting has the potential to reduce the conflicts which can arise when workers work together in a traditional office environment. It has also made it possible for employers to scout for employees globally, and they are finding that talented employees are not only confined in a certain community or country. Employers now can outsource their operations to such workers across the globe.
By Florence de Borja
