Technology has changed the way we live and work. It has improved our lives in ways that would have seemed unimaginable a few decades ago. One area where this is most true is in bookkeeping and accounting. Today, you can maintain your financial records with minimal effort thanks to the magic of cloud computing.
Manage client information
Cloud-based accounting software is a great way to store and manage client information. This type of software keeps all your data in one place, which allows you to use it whenever you need it.
CRM (customer relationship management) systems allow you to keep track of your client’s contact information and history so that you know who they are and what kinds of projects or work they’ve done before.
As per the experts at Intuit, “Project management software allows you to keep track of all your projects, including deadlines and costs, as well as any other relevant details about the project itself.” It’s also helpful for managing employees who are working on multiple projects at once.
Track the status of each engagement
You can use a project management tool. Many of these are available for free or for a small fee, and they can be used to track the status of each engagement. They include the following features:
- To-do lists that let you keep track of what needs to be done on each engagement.
- Calendar events that let you see when tasks need to be completed.
- Email notifications alert your staff members when an event needs their attention and/or when it’s time to follow up with clients.
Communicate with clients
Have you ever done business with a company that has an “online chat” feature on its website? It’s like the future! If you’re in the middle of thinking about buying something but don’t want to commit just yet, you can use this feature to ask questions and get help from customer service.
This is a great example of how technology can make your life easier by allowing you to communicate with clients more effectively. Not only does it allow people who live far away from one another to communicate easily, but it also allows them to do so without having face-to-face meetings.
Record time and bill for your work
If you’re a bookkeeper or someone who uses accounting software to keep track of time spent on various projects, then this is the most important section in this article. You need to be able to record the amount of time spent on each project so that it can be billed correctly.
Bill for products and services
The bill for products and services is one of the most important documents a business produces. It’s also one that has been around since the beginning of commerce, so it’s probably not going anywhere anytime soon. Here are some tips on how to manage your billing process:
- Make sure you understand what your client needs from you before starting work on any project.
- Establish a fair price for your services, using industry standards as a guide if possible.
- Send your client an invoice after you complete each job or project (unless otherwise agreed upon).
The impact of technology on the bookkeeping community is significant and has created a need for a new kind of individual. With the rise of cloud-based accounting software and other automated systems, many tasks that used to be done manually are now done automatically.