Certified Public Accountants

A Word About Computers

The computer is probably the single most valuable invention for bookkeeping and accounting since the advent of double entry bookkeeping. If your business includes any of the following then a computer would be a useful tool in your business.

1. Many repetitious or routine tasks
2. Lots of paperwork; i.e., payroll checks, invoices, purchase orders, mailing labels.
3. Lots of general correspondence
4. Written reports, contracts, newsletters, catalogues or brochures.

Your accountant knows both your business and computers so he can take much of the confusion out of the selection process by assisting you in the purchase and installation of your computer.

There are a number of very good, easy to use accounting software systems which are commercially available, but none of them will solve the problems of inaccurate or poor quality financial records. All they will do is generate bad information faster. This is one of the reasons that the computer has also probably caused more headaches for the owners of modern businesses than any other single cause. If you want to use a computer based accounting package, either in your own business, with a service bureau or through your accountant, it is imperative that you generate accurate information to be entered into the system.

The real value of the computer becomes apparent once it is running smoothly in your business. Your accountant can then function in the capacity for which he was trained not as a "number cruncher", but as your business advisor, consultant, and strategist. Both of you can focus not on producing reports for various regulatory agencies but on analyzing your business to make it more profitable.