Accountants online accounting will change the way you work.

By Steven Cohen, MD, Sage Pastel Accounting

September 2013

At Sage Pastel we’re paying a lot of attention to accounting over the internet and also to mobility, both of which are a direct benefit of cloud computing. We recognise that this is the most fundamental shift in how business is going to operate in the future. The move online is certainly one of the greatest changes the profession has faced in 20 years: for all of us, it spells the end of the traditional way we are used to interacting with our clients.

Business owners who were early adopters of online accounting packages like our Pastel My Business Online (www.pastelmybusiness.co.za) are progressive, forward thinking mavericks. They keep up to date with technology and they’re aware of just how easy cloud computing can make their lives. They’re attracted to online accounting because it allows them to manage the financial aspects of their business while they’re on the move, which is an essential part of doing business in today’s world. They want everything at their fingertips and they want it now!

Connect or die

Connectivity makes everything predictable which allows us to get into the minds of our customers. It follows then that if we’re not connected we’re not as in touch with our customers as we could be which is why online accounting is do or die – you will get left behind if you’re not online.

Never before have so many efficiency tools been so available to you. These practical examples may help you to make the shift to a cloud-based application like Pastel My Business Online (www.pastelmybusiness.co.za).

• Specifically designed practice management tools give you a real time bird’s-eye view of all your clients along with pertinent information for each one. This includes details such as date of year-end, due date of next VAT submission, notes, alerts and “in product communication” sent by clients via the software.
• Mobility tools allow your clients to log on from wherever they are for fully up-to-date views of their businesses, their customers and suppliers. They can check due and overdue tasks, process quotes and invoices and then email them directly to their clients – all on the go – using tablets or phones.
• Keep track of the various accounting or bookkeeping tasks you perform for each of your clients with the single or recurring task function.
• See an overview of the tasks and notes for each month or each day, receive timely reminders, and track status changes from “Not started” through “In Progress” to “Completed”.
• Access bank accounts with Automatic Bank Feeds, including multi-factor authentication accounts where online banking websites ask for additional one-time authentication on top of user credentials before you can access their websites.
• Keep track of spend with enhanced Budget features and a Profit and Loss Report with budget comparisons.
• Print Copy Tax Invoices so that if a client loses or misplaces a Tax Invoice, you can issue a Copy Tax Invoice on which they will be able to claim tax as it meets the requirements for claiming input tax. This is in accordance with SARS rules.
• Keep reporting much neater and less cluttered than every before.

So yes, online accounting – cloud computing – will change the way you do your job. It will vastly improve the way your practice runs, your interaction with your clients, and the speed and efficiency with which you handle them. What are you waiting for?

For more information
Steven Cohen, Managing director, Sage Pastel on +27 11 304 3101 or [email protected]

For media enquiries
Jennifer Kann, Lingo Communications on +27 11 447 0321, +27 83 455 3289
or [email protected]

About Sage Pastel Accounting
Sage Pastel Accounting is South Africa's leading developer of accounting, payroll and business management software for the small, medium and large enterprise market. Since inception, Sage Pastel has developed an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry, establishing itself as a market leader and the preferred choice of South African business. The numbers speak for themselves as thousands of businesses use Sage Pastel Accounting to run their businesses and trust Sage Pastel to help them achieve their business ambitions.

About Sage
Softline was founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen. The company was established during the formative years of the business software industry in South Africa, and soon became the leader in the provision of business software and services to small and medium sized companies. In 2003 Softline was acquired by UK based company The Sage Group plc. Softline officially changed to Sage in February 2013 to align with our parent company Sage Group plc. We continue to provide local expertise backed by the global Sage brand.

About The Sage Group plc
Sage Group plc is a leading global provider of business management software to small and medium sized companies, creating greater freedom for them to succeed. Sage understands how and why each business is unique. We provide products and services that suit varying needs, are a pleasure to use and are secure and efficient. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and entered the FTSE 100 in 1999. Sage has over 6 million customers and more than 13,380 employees in 24 countries covering the UK & Ireland, mainland Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, Asia and Brazil. For further information please visit www.sage.com