INTRODUCTION

They say time is money and wasting time is not an option for today's fast-paced living. This is particularly true when it comes to running a business where time is a cost. Every business aims to be productive by making sure the business process is efficient. This then creates an effective workflow. When workers get the job done in a reasonable amount of time and effort, businesses get the best results. Hence, it is always a goal to improve productivity in all aspects of work, particularly in accounting.

The objective of accounting for small businesses is the same with any scale of business. This includes the systematic recording, analyzing, and presentation of financial information. Accounting tends to be heavy on paperwork and requires accuracy of information which makes it time-consuming. So, here are some helpful productivity tips in accounting for small businesses.

Minimize Multitasking and Focus

Multitasking is a good skill for any worker and accounting requires focus to get it done fast and error-free. While it is virtually impossible to eliminate the need for multitasking today, minimizing it improves productivity in accounting.

Task Delegation

Task delegation is a skill every manager needs to have particularly in your accounting department. Make it a habit to pass minor tasks to an intern or a junior to gain focus on bigger tasks. Minor tasks such as checking emails, while important, can be passed on to your intern or junior. Reading emails can be done by virtually anybody that can read and has basic computer literacy.

Replace or Upgrade Computers

There are many technological advances that help improve productivity in accounting for small businesses, including computers and software. Whether your office uses Windows or Mac, always make sure that it is up to specs when running software. Investing in newer and faster machines to get things done faster is worthwhile. Also, hire a technician to monitor and check the office computers regularly to ensure they don't break down. Assign a tech-savvy worker to check for critical updates of the computers to ensure data security and performance.

Tools and Technologies

Aside from computers, there are other tools and technologies that boost productivity in accounting for small businesses. This includes a dedicated accounting software, payroll systems or even a complete business software like Plexus. Aside from software, also consider a hardware makeover for your accounting staff. Such as multiple monitors for viewing multiple documents and applications without switching tabs which can greatly improve productivity.

Taking Breaks

Productivity naturally goes down as energy drops. This is why taking breaks is important regardless of deadlines. A short nap or coffee break can refresh your mind to improve problem solving and analytics.

These simple tips on improving productivity in accounting for small businesses are easy to apply and require minimal investment. Sometimes, it's the little things that add up lead to huge improvements in productivity. Apply these to your business today to experience better productivity in accounting and more.

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