There are many parts of running a small business that are enjoyable. It’s amazing to have a hand directly on the pulse of a business and to control what happens every step of the way. Additionally, you are in charge of your own growth and expansion; the sky is the limit. However, there are certainly downfalls too. The inability to pass-the-buck, so to speak, is difficult. When there is a problem, you are the one who must deal with it. Another aspect of owning a small business that many owners dread is the accounting. Keeping the books organized and everything up-to-date is tricky, but there are a few simple shortcuts that can make this task easier.

Shoebox and Other Apps

It seems nearly everyone has a smartphone these days. These high-tech gadgets are good for more than just texting and playing Angry Birds; they are often a useful tool for small business owners. Developers have created several apps that can make running a small business much easier. Consider these:

• Shoebox – This app essentially turns your phone into a portable scanner. You can scan photos, notes, business cards and anything else, then save them on your phone’s memory. How does this help your accounting problems? Scan your receipts as you get them, and have a simple database of spending.

• Accounts 2 – This app replaces your checkbook registry and creates a digital picture of your accounting process. You can see at a glance where the money goes.

Paycor

Dealing with your company’s payroll is a time-consuming process. However, not every small business owner has the means to hire someone to take care of it. The solution for many is to outsource the payroll process to Paycor. It’s the perfect balance between affordability and assistance. You submit your company’s payroll information to Paycor and a dedicated payroll specialist takes care of the process for you, working with you every step of the way. There are also online payroll tools to allow you to process your own payroll, if that is the route you choose. There’s a solution perfect for every business.

Quickbooks

Quickbooks is not a secret. This computer program is well known by business owners everywhere. While it does provide assistance, is still slow and cumbersome to work with at times. However, there are a variety of shortcuts built into the program that may have slipped by you. Take the time to learn more about the program, perhaps even learning a few of the shortcuts. The time you spend learning will pay off in the end when you are not fighting with Quickbooks and instead have it working for you.

There’s no need to overwork yourself, at least when it comes to accounting. There are always tools and ideas out there to make your work a touch easier. If you find the entire process too overwhelming, a final suggestion is perhaps hiring a college accounting student part-time to help you with the difficult details of your accounting process. The student will appreciate building a résumé in his or her field, and you’ll get the benefit of a more affordable accounting assistant.