80
ChapTer
5:
SofTware
Accounting
software
Accounting
software
handles
aU
the stancbrd
books--general
ledger, accounts receivable, accounts p:ayable, p:ayroll,
in\'Cnlory-but
with much
greuer
speed,
:aCOJJ1iICY,
:and conlIol.
lhe
increased
speed
and
accuJ1ilCY
ffie2n you can get
firunoal
reports as you need them, instead
of
waiting for monthly
or
qu:arterly reports from your :account:anL
A good accounting
progJ1ilm
can help you improve your cash fiow
managemenl, boost your colleClion rate, plan p:ayments
10
take
advant:age
of
vendor discounts, maintain inventory levels that
mil'llmizc cash
investment, :and improve customer service.
Most
accounting software packages are designed around a general
ledger, The other modules (accounts receivable, for example) work
with the
general ledger for automated posting. This modular
approach allows smaller busincsses to start with
:a
general ledger
package
and
add additional modules
as
needed.
Home finance
Home
fuuntt
programs
Iel you play ·what if" with your
home
budget
the
same way electronic spreadsheet programs let financial
planners play
·wtul
ir- with lheir multi-million-dollar corporate
budgets. Here are some
of
the things you can do with
:a
home
finance
program:
• Keep
tnck
of
c..xpenses
:and
balance your checkbook.
• Prepare
budgets.
• Figure oul mortg:age paymcnts :and depreciation
on
your house.
• Keep
tnIck
of
tax
and auto records.
• Ev:aluate repayment schedules on a
new
home
or
car.
• Weigh the relative merits
of
money market, T-bill, stock
markCl,
and olher investments.
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