Having explored the types of automation for accounting business processes, let's find out how to start implementing it within your organization.
The first step towards automation is transitioning to electronic document management (EDM). This helps reduce the time spent processing documents and avoids errors associated with manual data entry.
Next, you should use specialized software for automating accounting operations. These utilities allow you to automatically generate reports, perform calculations, and monitor budgets.
Some prominent examples of accounting automation software include:
1C: Accounting – A program designed for automating bookkeeping and tax accounting across various industries. It allows users to track income and expenses, prepare reports, create documents for tax authorities, and much more.
SAP Business One – An integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that automates all company business processes including financial accounting, inventory management, sales and purchases, production, and more.
QuickBooks – Software for managing finances in small and medium-sized businesses. It enables users to keep track of income and expenses, create invoices, pay bills, and do much more.
Xero – Cloud-based finance management software suitable for companies of different sizes. It supports tracking income and expenses, creating invoices, paying bills, monitoring debts, and many other features.
Zoho Books – Another cloud-based tool for managing the finances of small and medium enterprises. It also allows users to manage income and expenses, issue invoices, and handle other related tasks.
FreshBooks – Finance management software tailored for small and medium businesses. Similar to Xero and Zoho Books, it helps manage income, expenses, and invoicing.
Wave Accounting – Designed specifically for small businesses, Wave Accounting assists with tracking income and expenses, generating invoices, making payments, monitoring liabilities, and performing numerous other tasks.
These programs enable automation of key accounting operations, including counterparty payment tracking, tax accounting, payroll management, and so forth.
Additionally, online services can be leveraged to automate accounting processes remotely. Here are some examples of such services:
MyBuh – This is an online accounting service based in Kazakhstan that provides businesses with a suite of financial management tools. The platform offers functionalities like invoicing, inventory control, payroll processing, and tax calculation.
Online outsourcing services for accounting (e.g., Bukhta, BigBuh) – These services allow entrepreneurs to hire remote accountants and save time on preparing reports for tax authorities or calculating budgets and expenses. With these services, you don't have to worry about filing declarations or compiling accounting reports and recording expenses.
Expense tracking services (e.g., Mybuh, Uchet) – Online platforms that help entrepreneurs manage their expenses and simplify accounting procedures. Using these services, receipts and invoices can be scanned, data recognized automatically, and expenses tracked.
Budget management services (such as Planior, Planfact) – Tools that assist entrepreneurs in keeping tabs on their finances and managing budgets. Through these services, it's possible to monitor income and expenditures, control budgets, and plan finances effectively.
This approach is particularly beneficial for companies with branches in different cities or countries. It's worth noting that automating accounting not only speeds up workflows but also reduces the likelihood of errors. This is especially crucial for companies dealing with large volumes of documents and conducting numerous accounting operations.
One method of automating accounting involves using artificial intelligence. AI can be employed to sort and categorize transactions, generate financial reports, and even provide insights into financial performance. By automating these tasks, accountants can focus on more strategically important responsibilities.