Updated to include 2023 end of year sale.
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The Reality of (Some) Accounting Software
A FreshBooks report based on a survey done in 2019, indicates that accountants think accounting software is too complicated for their clients to use without the help of an accountant.
And, 68% of survey respondents agree that small business owners are intimidated by accounting software.
At the same time, 71% of respondents report using a QuickBooks accounting product.
However, FreshBooks is the #1 invoicing and accounting software designed exclusively for self-employed professionals and is ridiculously easy-to-use with invoicing, time-tracking, online payments, and expense management features.
Recognized with eight Stevie awards for best customer service in the world, the company’s mantra is to “execute extraordinary experiences every day.” You’ll always get a real live human being and help is always courteous and free.
If you are a service-based business, FreshBooks is designed for you and can help make running your business a breeze.
If you are a…
> lawyer,
> marketing agency
> plumber,
> interior decorator,
> IT professional,
> therapist,
> architect,
> web professional,
> if you create value for your customers by applying your time and expertise to other people’s problems, thereby running a service-based business…
Then FreshBooks is built specifically for YOU!
The FreshBooks story begins back in January 2003, when Mike McDerment (Co-founder & CEO) was running a four-person design agency. When it came to billing clients, Microsoft Word was frustrating to use and wasn’t built to create good looking invoices.
Then one day something happened that makes every record-keeper cringe: he accidentally saved over an old invoice. Knowing there had to be a better way, he created it himself. Over the next two weeks, he coded up a solution that became the foundation for what is now FreshBooks.
It took over a year to bring the product to market. After 24 months, there were only 10 paying customers and revenues of $99 per month. For the next 3.5 years, they carried on. Why?
They discovered a passion for serving their customers, their company, and working together.
Since those humble beginnings, over five million people have used FreshBooks to send, receive, print and pay invoices. Today FreshBooks has paying customers in over 120 countries.
Benefits of Using Freshbooks Accounting Software:
- Easy to use and intuitive so accounting isn’t intimidating. If you get stuck, you can talk to a real live person when you have a question.
- Work from anywhere. Your business is accessible everywhere and on all your devices. Your data is always backed up and secure.
- Save time. You will get organized and get paid faster. It tracks your time from anywhere, accepts credit cards on any device, and allows you to snap a photo of a receipt to import an expense.
- View customizable financial reports that you will need to run your business and you will know your numbers at a glance.
- Send super polished invoices in about 30 seconds.
- Integrates with apps you already use, such as Gsuite, Stripe, Shopify, and more.
FreshBooks also offers a deposits feature. Ensuring payment for work is one of the biggest challenges many small business owners face. That’s why people ask for a portion of their invoice to be paid upfront as a deposit. FreshBooks has an easy way for you to accept deposits on invoices.
Why Does Accounting Software Matter?
Waiting for clients to pay can be a stressful exercise in patience. It’s simple for business owners and clients to make a deposit on an invoice since it’s possible to specify the amount to be paid. It’s crystal clear for clients to see how much they owe.
A deposit helps establish you as a legitimate business, showing that you’re serious and helping to build trust with a new client. A deposit also ensures that you get paid for at least some of your work should your client have trouble paying afterward.
It’s really exciting taking on a big, longer-term, project. They allow you to flex your muscles and really show off your skills and they often come with a big pay-off at the end.
The only trouble is if you wait to invoice and collect all your payment at the end of the project, it may be weeks (or months) of no income.
Requesting a deposit at the beginning of the project helps you make sure you have enough cash to see you through until the end of it. You can spend more time focusing your energy on your craft and less time worrying about your cash-flow.
Conclusion
Wondering if you should use QuickBooks instead? View this comparison and find out why Forbes Magazine calls FreshBooks “incredibly user-friendly.” It’s actually a great QuickBooks alternative. See for yourself: FreshBooks vs QuickBooks
Still not sure?… click here to get a free How to Choose the Right Accounting Software checklist.