You will have to choose whether you are going to keep your account records manually, that is using pen and paper, or whether you are going to make the process computational.

If you decide that computerizing the process is the ideal way to go then your next decision is to figure out whether to to purchase an account software bundle, for example Sage or Quicken, or whether a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel will better suit your needs better.

Just a rule, if you operate a cash business that just needs to record its profits and consumption then your best option would be to utilise a spreadsheet.

So, should you take an account software bundle? Yes if:

* Have clients to whom you give credit and you purchase commodity in the same way

* You process in excess of Fifty proceedings per month

* Your occupationThe occupation you have is an Incorporate Company (Limited Company in the UK)

* You're a computer literate person or are willing to learn!

First thing before making a decision on the account software, speak with your bookkeeper they will be familiar with the versatile account software packages on the market and will be able to notify you. A lot of accountants use software in their workplace to process the bookkeeping for their customers and will have a working knowledge of the account software bundle they use. It tends to be much less for you to use the same one they do, because they can notify you how to get it up and running and will be available to answer questions, plus at your fiscal year end when your accounts need preparing it will be less costly, believe me to have a compatible program.

Also I advocate doing some research yourself, you might be able to obtain a presentation disk or download of a popular account software bundle and this will give you an idea of how they work and if they are user-friendly.

The price may also be an issue, so you need to decide on your budget. But consider how your occupation is expected to enlarge - you may overgrow that budget account software quickly and end up buying the more costly one anyway.

Accounting software producers will also try and up-sell you a upkeep contract. Save your cash! In my experience the accomplished software developers will not have defeats in their own systems. They tend to try and rise you to the next version on a habitue base, if the purchased software is doing everything you need then upgrading is not necessary.

Of course, you could also pay someone to manage your accounts in your place, either your accountant or a bookkeeper the proceeds being the hard work is being done for you and it frees you up to genuinely operate your occupation!