Cloud Accounting: Maximizing Cash Flow for SMEs

You must have heard the term "Cloud" for quite a while now. From social media to accounts management, everything happens here! The cloud is actually more essential for SMEs than ever, especially when it comes to accounting, bookkeeping and inventory management. Working digitally will allow you to spend less time on laborious, time-consuming operations, freeing you up to focus on what you do best: expanding your business.

Additionally, you can be sure that you will have better access to real-time data for your business, wherever you are, as business information is available anywhere, anytime, on any internet-connected device.

Importance of cash flow management for SMEs

You will need money to make your business plans a reality. Cash flow is essential to maintaining and expanding a business since a small business doesn't want to be in the position of having huge dreams but no funds to accomplish them. Cash flow is essential for any organisation, but it's much more crucial for SMEs with limited resources.

So what exactly is cash flow? 

It is the overall sum of money coming into and going out of a company.

Effective cash flow management can save or damage your small business, yet not enough businesses realize its true importance. Even if your performance report can indicate that your business is prosperous, you might commit the error of overspending. On the other hand, not understanding how much cash will be in the company in the near future can make you more cautious to spend money although your cash flow is robust enough to do so.

A company's financial management is critical for long-term corporate growth. Yet entrepreneurs frequently mix up cash flow and revenues. Many people believe that being able to show a profit is similar to experiencing gains, however, this is inaccurate. A company may be successful while still having a poor cash flow. These circumstances are risky since businesses could end up penniless or insolvent. On a clearer review, it all boils down to timely and accurate visibility of the cash flows of the business. This is when cloud accounting steps in with its remedy and instructions on how to enhance and boost cash flow.

Cloud accounting software provides real-time insights into both financial and operational data, facilitating and improving decision-making and forecasting. However, it accomplishes something even more significant i.e. process visibility leading to preserving positive cash flows in the organizations.

Now, let’s talk a bit about Cloud Accounting

Cloud accounting (also known as online bookkeeping) offers all of the same features as conventional accounting, but it makes the entire process automated without manual errors and improves on it. The advanced part is it is accessible from any internet-connected device at any time, anywhere. 

Hence, there isn't a desktop application; instead, you log in to a constantly updated software service, and all of your data is securely kept on that digital server. A common feature of automated platforms is an open API, which allows outside programmes to connect to your system and add even more value for you as a business.

Here are some tips for maximizing cash flow with cloud accounting

Automate as much as possible

Automating your accounting with a cloud ERP software can save you a significant amount of time and lessen the possibility of errors. For instance, you can employ your software to automatically prepare and send invoices or set up continuous bank feeds to enter transactions. Chasing down payments and past-due invoices is one of the most time-consuming problems that businesses face. But a digitally automated ERP software can be used to solve this problem.

This function gives you and your clients a practical way to manage invoice settlement. Data entry and payment tracking take up less time. These kinds of routine procedures can be condensed into a few simple actions using a digital accounting platform. Receivables can now be collected quickly and easily, improving cash flow.

• Utilize real-time information 

Cloud accounting software offers current financial information, which is incredibly beneficial for establishing wise business decisions. You can use the program to monitor your cash flow in real time so that you always know how much cash is accessible.

• Track expenses

 Regularly monitoring and tracking your expenses will help you find areas where you can save money and be more productive. With a cloud-based accounting software, you can discover that you are spending a lot of money on a particular supplier or service that isn't offering anything in return. You can decide where to devote your resources by keeping track of your expenses.

• Invoice promptly and accurately

 As soon as a project is finished, an automated accounting application shows invoices to ensure that you get paid as soon as possible. Ensure that all essential details, including the amount owing, the terms of payment, and your contact information, are included on your invoices. This will assist in preventing payment delays. If you have invoices that are past due, it's critical that you take action to assure payment. This can entail calling the client on the phone or sending a reminder email. When it comes to getting paid, don't be afraid to be assertive, but yet efficient and kind.

• Use cash flow forecasting 

By predicting your future cash inflow and outflow, a cloud-based accounting software can make the necessary preparations. Hence, for small to medium-sized business owners, cash flow forecasting features are included in these software systems. You can decide how to deploy your resources and better manage your money by projecting future cash flow.

Case study: An outline of strategies to increase cash flow

Implement cloud accounting software: 

Choosing and implementing a digital accounting software is the fundamental step in leveraging digital bookkeeping to increase cash flow. Because there are so many possibilities, it's crucial to conduct your analysis and pick software that fits both your requirements and your finances.

Automatic Bank Reconciliation: 

The possibility to automatically upload transactions from your bank accounts is one of the main advantages of digital bookkeeping. You can save time and lower the chance of inaccuracies in your method by setting up automatic bank feeds.

Updated Data:

 Cloud accounting gives up-to-date financial data, which can be highly useful for making smart business decisions. The software, for one, can be used to track your cash balance in real time so that you always know how much cash is accessible. Making wiser financial and investment decisions can be improved by this. Continually evaluating and expense tracking will enable you to find areas for cost- and efficiency-saving measures. You can discover that you are spending a lot of money on a particular supplier or service that isn't offering anything in return. You can decide where to devote your resources by keeping track of your expenses.

Provide a range of payment options: 

Customers will be more inclined to pay you fast if you offer them a variety of payment options. This can entail providing both more conventional payment choices like cheques or bank transfers which is readily available by ERPs.

End note

Accounting is a demanding industry where there is little room for inaccuracy, mistakes, or subpar service. Since all users have access to the same information and resources, there is less likelihood of human mistakes or inconsistent results. Digital bookkeeping provides numerous benefits over a desktop one and conventional spreadsheet-based methods. 

But even if moving digital is the new adoption and is becoming more and more popular, a bulk of businesses continue to run conventionally.  The decision is ultimately theirs, but being offline and isolated and risking continual data losses and inconsistencies place such organisations at a significant disadvantage to those wise businesses that chose and use cloud-based ERP.

GenieBooks' 100% smart cloud accounting and inventory management software provides you with an edge over your competitors with its automated technology. Run end-to-end business operations with control, gain lucid insights into your business and stay compliant while doing so.  Be the best before your competitors wake up and switch to the cloud.

FAQ

How is cloud used in accounting?

The phrase "cloud" in accounting describes the use of web-based services to store, manage, and process financial data. Instead of being restricted to a single computer or server, these automated softwares allow organisations to view their financial data from any device with an internet connection. The usage of automation improves the capacity for real-time team collaboration while reducing errors and saving time.

Why should we use cloud accounting?

Digital accounting has a number of advantages over conventional on-premises software, including connectivity from any device with an internet connection, automation to save time and cut down on errors, team collaboration capabilities, greater security, and lower costs. In comparison to conventional on-premises software, it is more affordable. This is so that you don't have to pay for licencing, hardware, or upkeep up front; instead, you simply pay for the services you really use.