Excel Accounting Products
Excel Accounting Products
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Good Systems Are Simple And Cost Effective
The primary function of any business is to make a
profit yet thousands of business owners across the country are unable to report
on their financial performance because they lack accounting software that would
produce a statement of income. Many business owners have invested in accounting
software that they are unable to use because of its complexity. Business
performance is not only a mystery for many companies but that performance would
have been enhanced if investment had not been made on inappropriate software
and systems.
Benefits
FIGG offer products that range from basic household
budgeting tools to a fully integrated financial system that links sales,
purchases and cash transactions but also offers additional elements such as
payroll and fixed asset control programmes. It is possible to trial the
products before they are purchased and this is a measure of the confidence the
developers have in the product. The software is also reasonably priced, another
big factor for small business owners. It is important that businesses use software
that suits their needs, it should only represent a small percentage of overall
expenditure. Larger more expensive systems are designed for companies operating
with large numbers of users across multiple sites. Some systems may need to
factor in a greater degree of internal control that is simply not required for
small businesses who may only have a small number of system users. Just as a
family of four would not purchase enough food for a hundred people the same
principle can be applied to accounting software. It is inefficient to purchase
something designed for larger companies and business owners should be wary of
any product that is offered at a low headline rate but requires frequent costly
updates and training. FIGG software products are inexpensive and are provided
with free support. Business owners and finance professionals are switching to
FIGG every day as they realise that there is a system that is easy to use,
integrates with familiar software, inexpensive and reliable. A revolution is
occurring in the world of finance and business owners are being empowered by
FIGG products creating a leaner and more responsive small business sector
Accounting Standards
FIGG systems work well because they are simple to use
as development of the products has been completed with considerations of small
businesses as a priority. Small business owners want a product that provides
them with the answers they need about their business delivered in a language
that they understand. Whilst it is necessary to ensure that data entry and
reporting is easy for users, it is important that products are compliant with
generally accepted accounting standards which are governed by the Accounting Standards Board.
If business owners are confident in the financial systems they use they are
able to focus on their business activities and make their company stronger. The
ability to produce accurate financial data in a presentable format is essential
when making any application for business
finance. Lenders look favourably on businesses that appear well organised
and in control of their financial affairs. The availability of financial information
enables business owners to be proactive in their business activities. If
accounting is a function that is handed to a third party such as an accountant
this will achieve compliance with taxation law but will not provide the
business owner with the knowledge required to run the business effectively.
Decisions will always be made as a reaction to historic data and the knowledge
of the financial picture may be presented too late to make a significant
difference to the overall position.
What Makes a Good Accounting System
Accountancy is a common language across the world and
although there are local differences in the treatment of items within accounts
the principles are the same in any country. Despite this there are hundreds of
different accounting software packages, all claiming to be the best. The most
important consideration must be whether or not the company that has made the
investment in the technology, is able to train its staff to get the best out of
it. Most small and medium sized businesses need something that can record all
sales, purchases and cash transactions, before producing reports that allows a
user to extract the information required to run a business efficiently.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Accounting systems are a business' lifeblood
When you have a product that has been proven over and over to save small business lives you are so passionate about it because well…. it could be like a doctor could feel when they save a patient’s life right? Small business is after all a life that supports families and pays the doctors’ bills.
A slight difference is that Doctors don't have to convince their customers to allow them to save their lives do they?
Another example perhaps is that vehicle mechanics don't have to convince people that they need to have their vehicles serviced regularly to avoid a huge cost when something breaks for good or because something could go so badly wrong that they could have an accident if they delay, do they?
Why then do so many small business owners wait for something to go so badly wrong to threaten their livelihoods that support their families and pay for their doctors and vehicle maintenance costs before they take accounting for their small business as a given?
I am reflecting on the past 12 months since today is the last day of the South African Income Tax year 28 Feb 2013.
It has been a bitter sweet year for us. It has been sweet because of fabulous small business customers who are using and loving the FIGG products for their simplicity and familiarity of being in Excel while at the same time delivering education and reporting to manage their businesses and eliminate the stress of last minute cramming for an accountant.
Bitter sweet because the past 12 months highlighted for us just how many small businesses do not do their accounting (or even keep their bank statements and details of the payments made) from day one. We have walked the stressful path with some of these small businesses who have reached out to us for help and who have paid a severe, totally unexpected and unnecessary cost and this is so sweet to have been honored to be called on to help and then bitter, knowing how many others like them are out there, “dying”.
On my mind today is small business owners who delayed doing their accounting for 2 to 5 years. The only reason that they did then begin to do the accounting is because they needed Financial Statements for their banks or investors or the Income Tax department "helped themselves" to hundreds of thousands from their bank accounts because they had failed to submit income tax returns.
Without fail, every customer who we helped through this stressful time told us that they never ever thought that accounting and filing was "this important" and failure to do it would cripple them.
Some customers assumed for 2 to 5 years that their accountants were doing "the necessary" and when the customer then called the accountant to either get their financial statements or ask why hundreds of thousands had been taken from their bank accounts, the accountant was either nowhere to be found or just didn't return calls or reply to e-mails.
So now, the customer is not only dealing with the horrific financial burden and shock but also has a mountain of work to get through to get up to date while the interest on funding is growing to the point of bankruptcy with sleepless nights. Plus the cost of having to catch up and sort out the arrears accounting work (copies of bank statements alone cost up to R25.00 per page and there is nothing stopping the bank from printing 3 transactions per page if you know what I mean!). Terribly sad.
I could write a fully-fledged 500 page small print novel but I am going to wind it down and just ask:
Please, if you are or have started a small business, don't delay with your accounting. The Small Business Accounting system at www.figg.co.za costs R199 – if you are not using an accounting system currently or doing any recording in Excel already this will be the biggest return on investment you will ever make. The system comes with video tutorials that supprt you completely especially if you are familiar with Excel and you certainly don't need to be an Excel expert.
It took 2 years to develop the FIGG Small business accounting system to make it simple for you to use giving you powerful but beautiful and easy to understand results. You are guaranteed to appreciate the beauty of being able to see your very own business results in black and white with a click of a mouse. The system was first developed for the South African and Namibian market and then demand required us to develop for the USA and UK market so we have the 4 now and can develop for other countries also at your request.
One more thing; if your accountant is not communicating with you directly at least twice a year and not irritating you just slightly with requests for documentation, then they are not doing the work required.
Time flies so make a note in your diary in January and July that your accountant should be contacting you or time will run away from you and when you look again it will be 2 years later and very costly for you.
If you are not sure what your accountant is meant to be asking you for and what you must get in from your accountant in the event of them disappearing, please e-mail me on info@figg.co.za and I will send you a list for free.
Yours in accounting discipline and support of small business,
Gail
A slight difference is that Doctors don't have to convince their customers to allow them to save their lives do they?
Another example perhaps is that vehicle mechanics don't have to convince people that they need to have their vehicles serviced regularly to avoid a huge cost when something breaks for good or because something could go so badly wrong that they could have an accident if they delay, do they?
Why then do so many small business owners wait for something to go so badly wrong to threaten their livelihoods that support their families and pay for their doctors and vehicle maintenance costs before they take accounting for their small business as a given?
I am reflecting on the past 12 months since today is the last day of the South African Income Tax year 28 Feb 2013.
It has been a bitter sweet year for us. It has been sweet because of fabulous small business customers who are using and loving the FIGG products for their simplicity and familiarity of being in Excel while at the same time delivering education and reporting to manage their businesses and eliminate the stress of last minute cramming for an accountant.
Bitter sweet because the past 12 months highlighted for us just how many small businesses do not do their accounting (or even keep their bank statements and details of the payments made) from day one. We have walked the stressful path with some of these small businesses who have reached out to us for help and who have paid a severe, totally unexpected and unnecessary cost and this is so sweet to have been honored to be called on to help and then bitter, knowing how many others like them are out there, “dying”.
On my mind today is small business owners who delayed doing their accounting for 2 to 5 years. The only reason that they did then begin to do the accounting is because they needed Financial Statements for their banks or investors or the Income Tax department "helped themselves" to hundreds of thousands from their bank accounts because they had failed to submit income tax returns.
Without fail, every customer who we helped through this stressful time told us that they never ever thought that accounting and filing was "this important" and failure to do it would cripple them.
Some customers assumed for 2 to 5 years that their accountants were doing "the necessary" and when the customer then called the accountant to either get their financial statements or ask why hundreds of thousands had been taken from their bank accounts, the accountant was either nowhere to be found or just didn't return calls or reply to e-mails.
So now, the customer is not only dealing with the horrific financial burden and shock but also has a mountain of work to get through to get up to date while the interest on funding is growing to the point of bankruptcy with sleepless nights. Plus the cost of having to catch up and sort out the arrears accounting work (copies of bank statements alone cost up to R25.00 per page and there is nothing stopping the bank from printing 3 transactions per page if you know what I mean!). Terribly sad.
I could write a fully-fledged 500 page small print novel but I am going to wind it down and just ask:
Please, if you are or have started a small business, don't delay with your accounting. The Small Business Accounting system at www.figg.co.za costs R199 – if you are not using an accounting system currently or doing any recording in Excel already this will be the biggest return on investment you will ever make. The system comes with video tutorials that supprt you completely especially if you are familiar with Excel and you certainly don't need to be an Excel expert.
It took 2 years to develop the FIGG Small business accounting system to make it simple for you to use giving you powerful but beautiful and easy to understand results. You are guaranteed to appreciate the beauty of being able to see your very own business results in black and white with a click of a mouse. The system was first developed for the South African and Namibian market and then demand required us to develop for the USA and UK market so we have the 4 now and can develop for other countries also at your request.
One more thing; if your accountant is not communicating with you directly at least twice a year and not irritating you just slightly with requests for documentation, then they are not doing the work required.
Time flies so make a note in your diary in January and July that your accountant should be contacting you or time will run away from you and when you look again it will be 2 years later and very costly for you.
If you are not sure what your accountant is meant to be asking you for and what you must get in from your accountant in the event of them disappearing, please e-mail me on info@figg.co.za and I will send you a list for free.
Yours in accounting discipline and support of small business,
Gail
Monday, February 4, 2013
Prices slashed for small business RSA, UK, USA
Small Business Accounting System in MS Excel developed for South Africa, UK and USA!
We have slashed the prices of the products since the original price included support to help Customer set up! The feedback from Customers is that the video tutorials gives them all the support that they need.
Our intention has and always will be to supply an affordable easy to use bookkeeping system to small business so if we have little to no support cost we are standing by our intention and have slashed prices.
In case you missed the website address its www.figg.co.za
Enjoy and thanks again.
Gail
We have slashed the prices of the products since the original price included support to help Customer set up! The feedback from Customers is that the video tutorials gives them all the support that they need.
Our intention has and always will be to supply an affordable easy to use bookkeeping system to small business so if we have little to no support cost we are standing by our intention and have slashed prices.
In case you missed the website address its www.figg.co.za
Enjoy and thanks again.
Gail
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