In this guide we look at one of the most popular accounting solutions for UK small businesses – Sage Small Business Accounting Software.
This product aims to simplify your business’ financial management and let you concentrate on growing your company. We explore what Sage Business Accounting Software is, how it can benefit business owners, and how to get started with this powerful tool.
What is Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software?
Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software is a cloud-based accounting software for small business owners or sole traders. It is part of the Sage Business Cloud Products suite of business management tools, which includes payroll, HR, and inventory management software.
You can view your financial data from any location with internet access, at home, at the workplace, or while travelling. Furthermore, you can easily manage your bank finance transactions, create invoices, track expenses, and run reports from a single platform.
Sage Business Cloud Software stands out for its ease of use and flexibility compared to other financial software packages. The software doesn’t require expert handling. It also does not expect you to be a finance specialist.
The software is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and helpful prompts that guide you through each step of the process. The Sage Business Accounting Software offers high levels of customisation, allowing you to personalise the software to match distinct requirements and preferences.
Ways Sage Accounting Software Can Help Small Business Owners
Let’s talk about how this software can benefit small business owners.
Cost-Effective Financial Solution
Sage’s small business accounting platform is one of the best accounting software that offers affordable accounting solutions with great value for many small business owners.
You will find that the software’s pricing is competitive, with all the necessary features for financial management. Also, the software is cloud-based, so you don’t have to incur expenses on expensive hardware or software programs, making it a cost-effective solution.
Customisable and Scalable
With Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software, you can personalise the software according to your business’s requirements and preferences. Additionally, as your business expands, you can effortlessly incorporate new users, checking accounts, and other features.
That aside, Sage links with Auto Entry to save one the time and effort of manual data entry. Auto Entry is a product that works by capturing, categorising and publishing financial documents on Sage. It extracts sole traders’ and medium-sized businesses’ financial information and uploads it to Sage.
Dedicated Mobile App for On-the-Go Management
With Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software’s dedicated mobile app, you can create and send sales invoices anywhere with an internet/network connection. This is especially helpful for small business owners who are always on the go and need to stay connected to their finances.
Supports Multiple Users and Multiple Bank Accounts
Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software supports multiple users and bank accounts, making it easy to manage all your business checking accounts in one place. Also, it’s easy to add your accountant to monitor your spending and bank history. This a feature for standard plus tier accounts only.
Key Features of Sage Accounting Software
Now that we’ve covered what Sage Accounting Software is, let’s closely examine the key features that differentiate it from most accounting software.
Cash Flow Management
Sage Small Businesses Accounting Software helps you manage your cash flow by tracking your incoming and outgoing money. You can easily monitor your business bank account balances, create cash flow forecasts, and get real-time insights into your financial performance.
Bank Account and Bank Transactions Management
With Sage Business Cloud Software, you can easily manage your bank transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, transfers and sales invoices. The software automatically reconciles your bank statements, so you can be confident that your cash flow and finance records are accurate and up to date.
Invoice and Expense Management
Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software makes creating invoices, tracking business expenses, and managing your accounts receivable easy. You can create and send professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks and track your expenses to ensure you stay within budget.
Inventory Management
If your business involves sales, Sage Accounting Software can aid you in effectively controlling your inventory. The software enables you to monitor stock levels, establish reorder points, and obtain real-time insights into inventory performance.
Payroll Management
Sage Business Cloud Software includes Sage Payroll, a payroll system that allows you to manage your employees’ salaries, tax deductions, and other payroll-related tasks. If you’re in the construction industry, you can also use Sage Payroll systems to manage your Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) obligations.
Financial Records and Reporting
The Sage Accounting system manages your bank records and runs advanced financial reports. You can track your accounts payable and accounts receivable, generate profit and loss statements, and get insights into your financial performance.
Mobile App and Internet Connection
Sage’s accounting platform has a mobile app. It is optimised for use from anywhere, provided you have an internet connection. You can access your account records and manage bank transactions, invoices, and expenses from your mobile device.
Getting Started with Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software
Looking to get started with Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software? Follow this step-by-step guide on how to set up and use the software.
Signing up for Sage Accounting Start: To sign up for Sage Accounting Start, go to the Sage website and click on the “Get started for free” button. Follow the prompts to create and set up your business profile.
Setting up Bank Accounts and Automatic Bank Reconciliation: Once you’ve created your account, you can link your business bank account to Sage Business Cloud. The software will automatically reconcile your checking accounts transactions, so you can be sure that your financial reports are accurate and up to date.
Track Invoices and Expenses: With Sage Business Cloud, you can easily create professional-looking invoices and track expenses. The software includes customisable templates and intuitive tools that make invoicing and expense tracking easy.
Using Sage Payroll and CIS (Construction Industry Scheme): If you need to manage your employees’ salaries or your CIS obligations, Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software includes Sage Payroll, which helps you manage these tasks.
Financial Reporting and Cash Flow Forecast: Sage Accounting Software includes various financial reports and cash flow forecasting tools that help you observe your business’s performance. With these tools, small to medium-sized businesses can make informed decisions about their finances and plan for the future.
Advanced Features of Sage Business Accounting Software Packages
Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software offers an array of sophisticated features that can assist you in managing your finances more efficiently.
Multi-Currency Banking: If you do business in multiple currencies, Sage accounting Software makes it easy to manage your finances across different currencies. You can track transactions in several currencies and get real-time insights into your currency exposure.
Credit Card Account Management: Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software also includes tools for managing your credit card accounts. You can track your credit card transactions, set payment reminders, and get insights into your credit card expenses.
Unlimited Users and Sage Intelligence: Sage’s accounting platform supports multiple users, so you can collaborate with your team and give access to anyone who needs it. The software also includes Sage Intelligence, a reporting tool that allows you to create customised reports and analyse your business’s financial data.
Organisational Tax Management: If you’re a limited company, Sage Business Cloud Accounting Software can help you manage your corporation tax obligations. The software includes tools for calculating corporation tax liability and submitting tax returns to HMRC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Sage Business Cloud Accounting Platform easy to set up?
Yes, Sage Business Cloud Accounting Platform is user-friendly. You don’t need any technical expertise or accounting knowledge to get started with the software. With its intuitive interface and prompts, the software leads you through each phase of the process, simplifying the process of initiating financial management.
2. Can I integrate Sage Business Cloud Software with other business software?
Yes, you can. Sage Marketplace is an online marketplace that allows you to browse and purchase third-party software applications that integrate with the Sage Small Businesses platform.
Conclusion
Sage Business Cloud Software is an easy-to-use, affordable, and customisable accounting solution that can help small business owners manage their finances more efficiently.
With its cloud-based platform, automatic bank reconciliation, and range of features, Sage Business Cloud Software is the best accounting solution for small business owners in the UK.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your business, Sage Business Cloud Software can help you streamline your financial management processes and focus on what matters most: growing your business.
