Modern software makes managing your business’ finances much simpler and more accurate. Many procedures such as monthly accounts and payments of regular invoices can be automated to save time and to streamline the basic administrative functions associated with financial management. Some of the typical administrative functions that can be handled by a good software package include accounts payable and receivable, purchasing, cash flow management and payroll.
Financial management software allows the business managers to track income and spending across sometimes diverse sections of the organisation. Transactions can be shown in real time in the centralised record keeping data bank, revealing how they are linked to other transactions and how they impact on cash flow in the business. One of the most important functions of a financial management package is its ability to generate accurate profit and loss statements, balance sheets, reports and budgetary information.
The system should also be able to produce ad hoc reports, customised according to the purpose for which they are needed. This is needed for decision making, planning and forecasting in between normal reporting periods for example monthly, quarterly and end of year reports. A software system will allow management to use historical data to predict the result of future activities and financial decisions. This may include data that shows trends in business activity and patterns of income, revenue and expenses.
The system software should also be able to support the testing of scenarios such as different market conditions or the effect of making an acquisition or investment. This makes it easier for management to make decisions as they are based on solid information and the most up to date data. Software facilitates keeping records up to date and this helps the organisation to ensure that they comply with the relevant accounting and tax regulations. A complete and accurate audit trail is created by the software so that the organisation is prepared in the event of a tax audit.
Companies that operate on a worldwide basis will find that a financial management software in Australia can support international trading. It does this by allowing for conversions into multiple currencies and languages as well as helping the organisation to comply with laws and guidelines specific to the different countries that the organisation is trading with. Particularly when an organisation is trading internationally it is important that the supporting software is able to track transactions, including multinational transactions. It may also be necessary to balance multiple bank accounts and manage a number of invoicing and billing functions. Software can reduce accounting errors and many functions can be automated so that time is saved and activities are not overlooked. As a business becomes increasingly complex, it becomes more difficult to manage a paper-based system without IT support. It is not simply the adding of computing power that makes the difference though, it is important that the software chosen and implemented is suitable for the particular business and its unique demands.