In these difficult times, you and other business owners are probably searching for new ways to save money and manage your dwindling profit margins. One of the areas in which you can take back control of your business is by handling the accounting yourself. And one of the most popular ways to manage your accounting is by getting a web-based accounting software that will make it easy for you to send invoices, receive payment, and run reports such as cash-flow and profit/loss.

There are five things you should be looking for in your new web-based accounting program if you want to relax and have a long and happy life together.

Your accounting software should be:

•Simple to use

•Accessible from anywhere

•Compatible

•Secure

•Affordable

Simple to use. Let's face it. You're a business owner, not an accountant. So what good is having a program that doesn't speak your language? You want to find software that includes all of the basic features you need to run your business: such as customer invoicing, bill payments, reports, payroll, and banking. It should also be customizable to fit your particular business needs and not the other way around. It should allow applications such as customizable invoices or automated email messages. This way, you can communicate using your logo and your marketing strategy.

Accessible from anywhere. You want a program that is both online and offline compatible. Web based online—so that it can be accessed from anywhere, as long as you have an Internet connection—and, it needs to be available offline too, so you can still work when you cannot get a connection; you can always save your work and update it when you get back online. You should also be able to share data in real time—and at the same time—with other users anywhere in the world.

Compatible. It should be compatible with all major operating systems (Microsoft Windows®, Apple Mac OSX®, and Linux) and all major web browsers (Internet Explorer®, Firefox®, and Safari®). It should also include all upgrades, bug fixes, and feature enhancements as part of your subscription. Software development is constantly changing and improving, so you shouldn't need to worry about upgrading or having to buy the next version every time an upgrade is available.

Secure. If your data is stored on a file server in your office, you are setting yourself up for several unsafe situations that could be avoided. A good web-based accounting program protects you from fire or from theft, be it physical theft (intruders that could steal your computer or backup files) or cyber theft (hackers that access your files electronically.)

Affordable. Most online accounting programs are surprisingly affordable, charging just pennies a day for lots of user-friendly features. That's a very small price to pay for peace of mind.

Keep these five simple rules in mind when shopping for a simple accounting software, and you will be able to concentrate on more important business matters like making a profit.