Small Business Tools

Small business owners have countless tools and software options available to simplify their accounting and financial management processes. At Bandicoot Accounting Solutions, we’ve done the research for you, curating a list of the most effective accounting software, systems, and resources tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.

In this section, you’ll discover our top recommendations based on firsthand experience and proven results. 

1. Bookkeeping: Keep Your Finances in Check

Every thriving business needs a strong bookkeeping foundation. Accurate financial records help you track performance, plan for the future, and stay compliant.

• QuickBooks Online: Our go-to recommendation for bookkeeping. Its cloud-based platform allows for real-time access to your financial data, seamless integration with other tools, and robust reporting capabilities. While the subscription cost has risen over the years, the value it offers far outweighs the investment for most businesses generating $300K to $3MM in revenue.
• Xero: A powerful alternative with a user-friendly interface, great for businesses seeking easy integrations and scalability.
• Wave: Perfect for startups and freelancers, offering essential bookkeeping features for free.
  
  

2. Payroll

Payroll doesn’t have to be a headache. The right tools make paying employees (and contractors) a breeze.

• Gusto: It’s intuitive, easy to set up, and comes with helpful features like “payroll on autopilot.” Gusto also includes HR tools like onboarding documents, which my clients find incredibly valuable.
• ADP: Ideal for growing businesses with complex payroll needs, offering scalability and HR integrations.
• Square Payroll: A simple and cost-effective option for businesses already using Square for payments.

3. Time Tracking

Time tracking ensures accurate payroll and helps you understand where time (and money) is being spent.

• QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets): Intuit’s time-tracking tool integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and Gusto, making it a natural choice for many small businesses.
• Toggl Track: A simple, flexible tool for tracking time by project or client. The free version is a great starting point.
• Clockify: Another excellent free tool, perfect for teams that need straightforward time tracking and reporting.

4. Document Storage

Keep your files organized and accessible with these cloud storage solutions:

• Google Drive: Affordable, easy to use, and integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace apps.
• Dropbox: Great for sharing and collaborating on large files with team members or clients.
• Microsoft OneDrive: Perfect for businesses already using Microsoft 365 for its seamless integration.
• Hubdoc: You can upload files via email, scan receipts directly, and even connect bank accounts to automatically fetch statements. 

5. Password Management

In today’s digital world, strong password management is non-negotiable.

• Keeper Security: My top recommendation for securely storing and sharing passwords. It also generates strong, unique passwords, so you don’t have to worry about security breaches.
• Dashlane: A user-friendly option with excellent features for password security and management.
• 1Password: Great for teams, offering shared password vaults and easy access for authorized users.

6. Business Organization

Stay organized and manage workflows effectively:

• Notion: A versatile tool for project management, note-taking, and team collaboration. You can also create your own custom task management systems inside Notion.
• Trello: A simple, visual way to organize tasks and projects using boards and cards.
• Asana: Ideal for task management and team collaboration with robust tracking features.

7. Spreadsheets and Data Management

For customizable data tracking and reporting:

• Google Sheets: A free and powerful tool for creating, sharing, and collaborating on spreadsheets in real time.
• Microsoft Excel: Advanced spreadsheet functionality for detailed financial analysis and reporting.
• Airtable: Combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of a database, perfect for organizing large data sets.

8. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Maintain strong relationships with your customers and track sales pipelines:

• HubSpot CRM: Free for small businesses with features like contact management, email tracking, and reporting.
• GoHighLevel: Our favorite software that we love to use for all our processes. We have created many automations that help us run our business with GHL. Feel free to contact us if you want a discount for this software as we will gladly provide you one.

9. Communication and Collaboration

Efficient communication keeps your team connected and productive:

• Slack: The go-to tool for team messaging, file sharing, and integrations with other business tools.
• Zoom: Ideal for virtual meetings, webinars, and client presentations.
• Google Workspace: A suite of tools like Gmail, Google Meet, and Google Chat for seamless communication and collaboration.

10. Marketing Tools

Reach your audience and grow your business with the right marketing platforms:

• Canva: A user-friendly graphic design tool for creating marketing materials.
• Mailchimp: An email marketing platform for building and managing campaigns.
• Hootsuite: Manage social media posts and track performance across platforms.

By integrating these tools into your operations, you can streamline processes, improve productivity, and focus on growing your business. If you’d like personalized recommendations based on your specific needs, contact Bandicoot Accounting Solutions today for a consultation!