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Save time, get organised, and streamline your finances with business accounting software. When it comes to accounting software, there are dozens of options to choose from. The right choice is going to help you save time, minimise errors, and provide you with a bird's-eye view of how your business is performing. However, finding the best fit for your business doesn’t have to be a long, frustrating experience. We recommend starting with a shortlist of viable options, then whittling down the list by answering four important questions. Step 1: Create a shortlist Here are five of the most common accounting software options for small to medium businesses, to get you started. QuickBooks Online MYOB Xero Zoho FreshBooks Keep reading to discover more about these tried-and-tested options. QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online – a regular award-winner in the small business accounting space – has all the basics covered, as well as some nice-to-haves. On top of bank reconciliation, expense tracking and custom branded invoice creation, QuickBooks Online allows its users to generate financial reports such as profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statements and more. If you give access to other people in your business, you can use permission settings to secure access to this financial data. The ability to download and reconcile credit card transactions is especially handy, as is weekly timesheet organisation and tracking of bank deposits. With QuickBooks Online, you can take a photo of a bill and submit it as proof of expense. There are three levels , related to usage. Simple Start: at $22 per month, it’s a budget-friendly option for businesses just starting out. It even comes with features to help manage payroll, track GST and lodge your Business Activity Statement. However, only one user can access the account. Essentials: at $37 per month, this option extends the basic functionality to include the ability to set up recurring invoice schedules, access a cash flow planner, create expense receipts and more. Three users can access the system. Plus: at $52 per month, it’s at the top end of the scale - allowing users to create and send purchase orders, track inventory, create budgets and more. This version supports up to five users. It’s worth noting that QuickBooks also has a second option, QuickBooks Self-Employed, which retains some of Quickbooks Online’s handiest features. Users of this version still have the ability to automatically track kilometers travelled, using a mobile phone, and sort transactions into tax categories for easy deduction management at tax time. At a cost of $15 per month, it’s a great option for trades and services businesses. MYOB MYOB stands for Mind Your Own Business – an apt name, considering that’s exactly what this business accounting software offers with its do-it-yourself accounting functionality. As you’d expect, MYOB offers all the basics such as tracking GST, customisable invoices and budget management tools. It also has in-built payroll functionality, with automatic leave calculation as well as real-life timesheet access for employees. The MYOB mobile app doesn’t have all the base functionality, but it does allow for invoice creation and tracking, payment processing and contact management on the go. MYOB Essentials costs $27 a month. MYOB AccountRight extends the base functionality to include the capability to bill by time and track jobs, as well as manage inventory. However, at $109 per month, it’s a significant business cost. One thing to keep in mind when considering your options is that MYOB may not be as user-friendly as other software. Some users report difficulty getting set up, and using some of the more advanced features such as auto-reconciliation for transactions. It makes sense, then, to learn that MYOB is popular amongst accountants. 60% of Australian accountants reportedly use MYOB for assisting their own clients. To get the most bang for your buck, it’s recommended to spend some time learning how to use the system. Xero A list of the best accounting software for small business wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Xero. Established back in 2006, Xero now has over two million users worldwide –  and for good reason. Out of the box, Xero comes with in-built tools for managing invoicing, bank reconciliation, inventory management, expense tracking, financial reporting, and more. It’s a thorough piece of software. Xero’s dashboard is one of its best features. The dashboard clearly and concisely conveys all of the key information a business owner needs to be able to see at a glance, including outstanding invoices, upcoming bills, bank balances, and expenses claims. Xero offers three monthly subscription options . Starter: at $13.50 per month. Standard: at $26 per month. Premium: at $33.50 per month. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the limitations of each licence. For example, Xero’s Early plan may sound extremely affordable – but usage is limited to 20 invoices and 5 bills per month. This may suit some small businesses with low volume, high value transactions, but is likely to be too restrictive for most. Growing and Established both offer unlimited invoices, bills, and transactions. The difference between the two is that the more expensive option, Established, offers additional features such as project costing and support for multiple currencies. Luckily, each Xero plan comes with unlimited users – so you won’t ever need to fork out for additional licenses. This makes Xero a great option to scale with your business. You can even use it to collaborate with financial advisors. ZohoBooks For business owners with the time and effort to invest in building a customisable accounting tool that saves time on monotonous bookkeeping in the long run, ZohoBooks is a strong contender. Payment reminders and scheduled reports are two obvious examples of intelligent automation, however ZohoBooks takes it one step further by giving users the ability to set triggers for certain workflows. Video tutorials are available to walk you through almost every feature. In terms of pricing, ZohoBooks offers a number of plans. Standard: at $16.50 per month, ZohoBooks’ Standard plan supports three users – making it the perfect option for two business owners and an accountant. At this price point, users can manage up to 5,000 invoices. All the basic functionality is included: invoice creation, expense tracking, recurring invoices, automatic feeds, to name a few. Professional: at $33 per month, the Professional plan is quite a jump from the Standard up. The Professional plan supports five users, and provides additional functionality such as purchase ordering and inventory tracking tools. Premium: at a monthly cost of $44, ZohoBooks’ Premium plan supports ten users and provides a custom domain, access to a vendor portal, and Zoho Sign and Twilio integration. Additional users can be added to any plan for $2.50 per month. One of ZohoBooks’ best features is its paid add-on, Autoscans. For $8 per month, you can upload up to 50 documents – such as receipts or vendor invoices – and Zoho Books will extract the data into the system for easy conversion into transactions. Effectively, it removes the need for data entry. If you’re searching for a broad toolkit of integrated solutions from one vendor, at a reasonable price, then ZohoBooks should be on your list. The standard functionality of ZohoBooks can be extended with ZohoInventory, which provides advanced inventory and order management features. For businesses with a defined outbound marketing strategy, ZohoCRM can provide even more value. FreshBooks FreshBooks knows its target audience: freelancers and the smallest of small businesses. In fact, it’s even won PC Mag’s Editors’ Choice award for the best option for freelancers. FreshBooks is a well-rounded, intuitive business accounting software option that prioritises usability. Users love the recurring payment reminders and time tracking functionality, and praise the simplicity of the system. If you already have a working knowledge of accounting, however, FreshBooks may be too rudimentary for you. There are three options , and the breakdown is purely based on the number of clients billed. Lite: for $8 per month, users can bill up to five clients. Plus: for $14 per month, users can bill up to 50 clients. Premium: for $20 per month, users can bill an unlimited number of clients. Before signing up, try the free 30 day trial to see if FreshBooks is the right option for you. Some users have expressed issues with FreshBooks’ bank account and credit card connection, and the expense tracking functionality is more limited than other options listed above. However, FreshBooks is a budget-friendly option that does all the basics. Step 2: Ask yourself four questions Now you’ve got your shortlist of accounting software, it’s time to decide which to implement in your business. You can do that by asking yourself the following questions about each option in your shortlist. 1. Does it integrate with your business tools? Depending on the type of business you run, you might have reporting software, inventory management software, email marketing tools, a Customer Relationship Management system… the list is endless. Before adding another tool to the mix, consider how it will integrate with the tools you’re already using on a daily basis. If you can find tools that “speak” to each other, you’ll save time on double data entry. Xero is the obvious standout for the number of integrations offered, however QuickBooks, MYOB and ZohoBooks all integrate with a comprehensive suite of products. Make sure to check out each product’s website for more information. 2. Does it come with a mobile app? These days, we expect to be able to do most things from our mobile phones — and that includes accounting. You should be able to take a photo of the receipt for your business lunch and upload it as an expense, straight from your mobile phone. You should be able to send invoices, capture signatures, and access real-time reports to see how your business is performing. QuickBooks Online comes with a free mobile app, which can do all of the above. If mobility is a priority for you, it’s an option worth considering. 3. Is there support available? The accounting software you choose should take away the headache of accounting, not add to it. However, it’s highly likely that most business owners will eventually require assistance from the team behind the product. When a bank account can’t be linked to your accounting software, or there’s an issue with reconciliation, you need to be able to get help fast. In considering which accounting software best suits your business needs, make sure to investigate the support channels available. Is there a phone line, or live chat, or support forums, for example? How do you want to ask for help when you need it? Decide what’s convenient for you, then weigh up your options. 4. Can I try it for free? All of the options outlined above are available to trial, for free, for either 14 or 30 days. The businesses behind these products know that once you’ve gone to the trouble of connecting your bank accounts, setting up invoices, and adding contacts, you’re unlikely to want to change. Before signing a contract, why not try on a couple for size? Make the decision The right accounting software is going to streamline your day-to-day financial operations, and take the headache out of end-of-month reporting, without breaking the bank — or adding a significant amount of admin work to your plate. Choosing from the above shortlist, you can’t go wrong. All of the above options are major players in the Australian accounting software space, which means they are likely to continue adding new functionality and delivering even better solutions as time goes on. Already using a tool for your business accounting? We are currently working to build integrations between Zeller and a number of accounting software providers. Let us know which tool you currently use by sending us an email at feedback@myzeller.com .

If you’re shopping around for a payments provider or a point-of-sale system, you may have come across the term ‘integrated EFTPOS’. In this article, we explain what this technology is and how your business can benefit from integrating with Zeller Terminal. Integrated EFTPOS is a direct connection between your point-of-sale (POS) system and your EFTPOS machine. When these two systems are integrated, sales totals that are rung up on the POS are pushed automatically to the  EFTPOS terminal , eliminating the need for staff members to key in the sales value manually on the machine before payment. With the tap of a button on your register, payment details are automatically transferred to your EFTPOS terminal, ready for your customer to tap, dip, or swipe. To explore the best POS systems available in Australia and find one that suits your needs, check out our comprehensive blog article on the topic. Connect Zeller Terminal with your point-of-sale. Push sales from your point-of-sale (POS) system to Zeller Terminal for faster transactions and better accuracy. Discover integrated EFTPOS Six ways Zeller Integrated EFTPOS will benefit your business. 1. It reduces human error. An unintegrated EFTPOS machine requires a staff member to manually enter the sales total into the terminal before the payment can be processed. Unavoidably, this process will lead to human error. If a customer is accidentally overcharged, not only do you risk losing their business in future, but it takes time away from your staff to process refunds for incorrect payments. Similarly, if a customer is accidentally undercharged, it is unlikely that you will be able to recoup the lost revenue, and it can lead to frustration and confusion when it comes to end-of-day reconciliation. Integrated EFTPOS eliminates these risks, by removing the need for manual entry into the EFTPOS machine. 2. It makes transactions faster. Integrated payments allow you to serve more customers, faster than ever, by removing unnecessary steps in the payment process. Whether you use a touch screen or a barcode scanner, integrated EFTPOS allows data to be pulled directly from your system, reducing waiting times at the checkout. You’ll also save time at the end of the day. Thanks to two-way communication between your devices, end-of-day reconciliation becomes a breeze, with payment transactions relayed back to your POS automatically. 3. It’s free and fast to set up. Although some merchant services providers may charge upwards of $10 per terminal to integrate with your POS system , Zeller’s integrated EFTPOS solution is free. Similarly, the process of getting set up is simple and self-service. Traditionally, integrating EFTPOS and POS systems has required a third party engineer or integration specialist to arrange a time to visit your business premises in person, with Zeller, you can connect your systems remotely, and in most cases, in less than 15 minutes. “Whether it’s at the table or the bar, we can just hit a button on our POS and it pops up on Zeller Terminal. It looks beautiful, and the graphics are fantastic. All customers have to do is tap and go. Transactions, receipts and refunds are easy.” Dom Garreffa, Pomelo and Bouvardia 4. You won’t lose sales if your POS system fails**.** In the event of a POS system outage (or other disruption to your POS system), every other integrated EFTPOS solution will lock you out of your EFTPOS terminal – forcing you to contact their customer service centres in order to get back up and running. We understand it’s critically important that, no matter what, you are still able to process sales at your business. If your POS system suffers a disruption for any reason, you can continue to use Zeller Terminal. Simply toggle on ‘Card mode’, and you will be able to continue processing transactions via Zeller Terminal without any downtime. 5. You have over 600 POS platforms to choose from. Whether you’re using a  cloud-based or on-premise POS  solution, with Zeller, you can be confident that – no matter which POS you choose, or industry you operate within – you’ll get the benefit of integrated payments. Zeller is proud to partner with over 600 POS providers, including leading solutions such as  Abacus , Impos ,  Zii ,  H&L ,  Oracle ,  Whoods ,  Redat ,  Task ,  Hike , plus a long list of others to service a wide range of industries and business sizes. To view the full list of POS providers that Zeller integrates with, visit the  Zeller Partner Hub . Not sure what POS system to choose? Use our Best POS Systems Guide for 2024 to help you find the right provider for your business. 6. You can turn tables faster with Pay at Table. Hospitality businesses using  H&L POS  enjoy the added benefit of Zeller’s innovative  Pay at Table  solution. This integrated technology allows Zeller Terminal to function as an extension of your H&L POS, allowing staff members to view open tables, see total outstanding bills, take payments and close tables — all on one device. Rather than the customer paying at the counter or finalising the bill in the traditional, time-consuming manner, waitstaff can deliver the bill and the mobile payment device, all at the same time. Read our blog article to learn how  Pay at Table  works. Ready to connect Zeller with your favourite tools? Discover Zeller Partner Hub

Discover tools to save time, simplify admin and grow profits. Running a small business can be time-consuming. Between managing employees, bringing in new customers, and keeping the books balanced, there's not always a lot of time for innovation and growth. Thankfully, technology has advanced to the point where there are plenty of great software tools to help small businesses do just that. But with so many options available, which ones should you choose? In this article, we'll break down six of the most helpful tools for growing your business, and offer advice on how to pick the right one for you. 1. A simple, powerful accounting platform If you're not an accountant, bookkeeping can seem like a complex task. Luckily, there are many accounting platforms available to make the process easier and more streamlined. Accounting software is a convenient way for small business owners to simplify the bookkeeping process. Gone are the days of maintaining a paper ledger — accounting platforms provide tools to manage income, expenses, tax information and more, allowing business owners to keep track of their financial data in real time throughout the year. With over three million subscribers worldwide, Xero is a popular choice for entrepreneurs. Developed with small business needs in mind, Xero allows you to keep track of your finances via its intuitive, easy-to-read dashboard. At a glance, Xero users can get a holistic view of their financial position, including outstanding invoices and bank balances. However, don’t confuse simplicity with reduced functionality. This is a powerful solution that can deliver advanced reporting when you need it. And, with multiple subscription price points, there is an affordable option for all businesses. Not convinced just yet? For more help choosing the best accounting platform for your needs, read How to choose the right accounting software for your business. 2. Robust point-of-sale software A point-of-sale (POS) system is a must-have if your business needs to manage ordering or inventory. For retailers and hospitality merchants in particular, POS software can be a lifesaver — serving as a central hub to help business run more smoothly. Retailers can use a POS system to ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained, and that in-demand items are always available for purchase. This serves to ensure customers come back, time and again, to your business. Vend takes the pain out running your retail business by providing an integrated point-of-sale experience. With their portable software, you can accept payments, stay on top of inventory, and keep detailed records of your customers’ buying habits. You can also integrate the software with your accounting platform, to make it even easier to keep your business growing. In hospitality, POS software can help your business run more smoothly by streamlining the process for bookings and delivery orders, as well as tracking stock levels, and ensuring that your customer enjoys the ultimate dining experience. There are dozens of options on the market. The right option for your business depends on a number of considerations, including whether you offer delivery, accept bookings, and allow for meal customisations. Read more about how to find the best POS System for your restaurant on the blog. 3. Affordable email marketing software One of the most powerful ways to build customer loyalty is via email marketing. While social media and other channels might boost your brand visibility, a direct email will help ensure your past customers know about new product offerings, sales, and other changes in your business. Email marketing software can be used in a multitude of ways. You can use it to send regular newsletters, and track performance metrics such as open and clickthrough rates. Or, you could simply use it to let your customers know about a change to opening hours. Once your confidence with your chosen system builds, you might even consider using an automated email sequence to direct your customers through a pre-planned journey to drive sales for your business. For an email marketing platform with a good track-record, you can’t go past Mailchimp . Founded in 2001, Mailchimp has established itself as an affordable and easy to use email marketing platform for businesses of all sizes. Boasting an intuitive interface and expertly designed templates, sending out customer emails is easy for professionals and amateur marketers alike. If budget is a consideration, Mailchimp offers an entry-level plan — allowing businesses with fewer than 2,000 subscribers to use the platform free of charge. 4. A mobile EFTPOS terminal With cash use in steady decline , it’s never been more important for businesses to be able to accept cashless transactions. For that, you need a portable EFTPOS machine . All EFTPOS machines accept cards — it’s what they were originally built to do. However, the shift to more modern digital forms of payment will continue, and new payment methods will continue to emerge. In determining which EFTPOS machine is best for your business, consider not only whether it enables you to accept today’s most popular payment methods — but also whether it will continue to enable you to accept your customers’ payments into the future, as new methods such as ZipPay grow in popularity. Zeller Terminal is a powerful portable EFTPOS machine designed to make it easy to keep your payments in order and improve your cash flow. Featuring an elegant design, Zeller Terminal allows you to accept all payments, including smartphones and other mobile devices, contactless debit and credit cards, as well as traditional chip-enabled cards. Other benefits include being able to accept payments on the go, customising receipts, and a low fixed rate for all transactions. Coupled with a free Zeller Transaction Account , Zeller Terminal can fast-track payments, while ensuring that your funds (and those of your customer) are safe and secure. Learn more about how the Zeller Terminal can help you do business better by reading Zeller Terminal: your EFTPOS payments solution . 5. Task management software For every big task you need to tackle, there’s probably a hundred smaller tasks to manage. It’s these small, administrative tasks that keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly. Yet keeping on top of every detail can sometimes be overwhelming. If that’s the case, a project management tool might just be the lifesaver you’re looking for. What makes a good project management tool? Different people use different systems to stay organised, so choosing the right one might be a case of trial and error. That said, knowing your priorities is a good way to narrow the field. If you’re not sure where to start, Asana is a robust software solution that is easy to use. Even the free version comes with templates for everything from team meetings to event planning and content development, making Asana an ideal solution to break down tasks into smaller, achievable chunks. Plus, Asana’s collaboration features allow you to set up teams for separate projects, and communicate progress without the need for endless, repetitive emails to your staff. 6. A collaboration platform Maintaining open and transparent communication with your team is the secret to a high-functioning, positive workplace culture. While face-to-face communications is ideal, COVID-19 has taught us that workplace communications can take many forms. Tools that make group communications simple to deploy, and easy to read, are vital for your workplace. Consider how hard it has been to communicate constantly changing public health advice, or managing staffing, during the pandemic. Having the right collaboration tools can make all the difference. Slack is a team communication platform that acts as a modern alternative to email and other business tools. It makes it easy to keep track of conversations, files, and information shared across all devices, and integrates with existing tools such as MailChimp and Google Drive to allow information to be share efficiently across all platforms. If you find it challenging to keep track of email threads, you might find that Slack has the advantage over email, making it easier to keep track of discussions without worrying about where you filed an importance correspondence. In short, technology can make your life easier — whether you are running a small or large-scale enterprise. When you decide you need help with accounting, processing payments, or staying in touch with your customers, there are numerous options on the market. The important thing is to know your business needs and choose tools that are compatible with your goals, as these will streamline tasks and free up your time so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labour.