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Financial & Management Accounting Advice
The following are the most popular expert advice articles on
financial and management accounting:
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 1
Outsourcing Accounting is Working Smart!
Businesses today have learned to cut costs not by employee
retrenchment or cutting on quality of product but by outsourcing.
Outsourcing accounting, for instance, has proved beneficial to trade and
businesses because it provides a cheaper and more efficient way of doing
things. Contracting accounting services from outside sources have proven
to be life saving for many companies world-wide.
Probably the greatest advantage that a company can get from using an
outsourcing service is the reduction of operating cost. It saves payroll
overhead cost and directly leads to freeing up valuable time. The amount
and time for using an outsourced service is not as much as utilizing
in-house services.
Outsourcing accounting improves financial operations as well as
increased the level of efficiency, adaptability and ability to wok with
the market conditions while at the same time curtailing risks and costs.
It will quickly reduce cycle time needed to prepare paper works such as
tax forms and others which can be very important for meeting clients.
The outsourcing service can help in meeting the company’s challenges in
business transformation and change management. They cab suggest ideas to
take difficult decisions and give recommendations in the best interest
of the company.
The time spent on paperwork for company to run smoothly can now be
spent working with customers. This adds value to customer relationship.
And this will put the company in a comparative advantage over
competitors because of the renewed valuable relationship with the
lifeblood of businesses - their customers. Companies can now stay
focused on processes needed to boost the relation with the customers.
What could be more satisfying and self assuring than a company who works
for the betterment of its customers and employees?
The advantages and benefits a company can derive from outsourcing
accounting are tremendous. It has given the companies control over
business outcome in different crucial areas. It has improved the
creativeness of planning. It also includes critical areas such as
cost-cutting in almost all aspects of the business; equal levels of
control in reliability, cost unpredictability improvements, and
successful implementation of ideas and concepts.
A company does not have to outsource all accounting functions. Some
only go for services on one or two distinct functions such as accounts
payable or payroll. There are other businesses though who opt to
outsource their entire accounting operations.
All outsourcing services are tailored to a company’s internal
processes and requirements. No two businesses share the same sets. They
are impeccably integrated with existing procedures and technologies for
smooth transition. The highly skilled outside services can give expert
advice on a number of topics. This includes which functions would be
best taken offshore which allows for best practices and efficiency.
Outsourcing accounting to reputable online firms can provide
companies with fulltime, reliable and professional online accounting
service. Overnight updates can beat deadlines and avoid the
psychological end results of rushing and not finishing reports on time.
Time, effort and space can saved for more customer interaction and more
places for more profit centers. Most of all accounting tasks need not be
sidetracked because of an employee absence.
Author: Amitaabh Saboo
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 2
Offshore Accounting Bpo - Myths and Realities
There is a myth that efficiency and profitably of offshore business
can only be seen in big business. But that’s not true. Today small
business organizations are taking to outsourcing to increase their
business efficiency and profitability. With IT based transaction
processing has expanded to accounting, HR management, public relations
consultancy, financial services etc, outsourcing today is the latest
tool for transformation of any conceivable business process. Small
businesses are still not sure whether offshore vendors can really create
value for their company.
Myth: Outsourcing is only and only for Big Business only
Reality: that’s not true. It has equal value in Business
There is a myth that business with abundant wealth can get good
return from account outsourcing. But the fact is this is absolutely
wrong. Small business can also get good return. In today’s fiercely
competitive industry, every thing your save whether it is wealth or time
is very important for your business. India, China, Philippians are the
front runner in the offshore vendors. Here you get quality service in
fewer prices than the money required to do it in the country of origin.
Myth: Only Transaction Processing can be outsourced but Accounting
BPO.
Reality: False. Almost all Non-core Business Activities like Accounting
BPO can be outsourced
High-end technology platforms were used by big business in last
decade for outsourcing. Now every thing has technology. Big and small
companies routinely outsource their work to cost-effective destinations
like India. In last few years accounting has taken a tremendous growth.
. Companies with a full-time bookkeeper can save about $30,000 a year by
using outsourced bookkeeping services to highly competent service
providers in India.
Myth: Complex IT integration is needed in Accounting Outsourcing
Reality: False. Just a Server and Internet Connectivity is enough
Extensive IT integration is required in outsourcing – this was a
misconception.. the offshore vendors only require just server and
Internet connectivity is sufficient to procure value-added services. The
outsourced service provider can use Remote Server model to access
client’s computer securely to perform services like Accounts. In case of
Secure File Transfer all the accounting records are transferred securely
from customer’s computer to the outsource vendor to perform the work.
Then the vendors upload the files back into customer’s computer
securely. The technology for outsourcing is changing day by day as
concept of offshore is increasing everyday. A IDC study entitled US
Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Market Forecast and Analysis
2003-2008 has predicted that the global market for finance and
accounting outsourcing services, which reached over $30 billion in 2003,
will reach $47.6 billion in 2008.
Myth: Accounting Outsourcing is not reliable
Reality: False. The services are 100% Reliable
There is no chance of unauthorized use of your resource. . Through
secure FTP software, offshore units transfer all the documents securely
into the client server. Using customer specified accounting software,
they perform all the work and export the finished accounting files back
in to customer's server securely. . Small business outsourced accounting
services do not ordinarily involve handling of business critical data.
Even if they are there, a reliable service provider with proven
experience and credentials can handle the assignment with trust and
confidentiality to secure efficiency and cost saving for small business
units.
Myth: Accounting BPO cuts jobs, indirectly harming economy of
outsourcing country
Reality: False. It promotes Growth and Efficiency
Small business outsourcing accounting services is a major
budget-balancing act and a must-consider option for increasing business
returns and lowering process time. The efficiency gained through fast
and less expensive outturn makes end-price competitive. Ultimately,
there is no loss of employment opportunities
Author: Mani Malarvannan
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 3
Real Estate Accounting is a Shining Armor for Accounting Industry
Accounting is an integral part of any organization; whether it is a
regular industry or a specialist, all of them need good and
knowledgeable bookkeepers. And real estate is no different from the
other sectors; in fact, it is lately becoming one of the most powerful
revenue getter for the government in the United States. Another reason
why this sector needs efficient accountants is that it is vast and ever
growing industry.
Real estate accounting require professionals that are capable of
handling accounting services professionally. However, one is very well
aware of the fact keeping a track of accounts on every day basis is
quite challenging for both the business owner as well as the financial
department. In fact, accounting ledgers always grow; hence, need experts
to take care of the transactions taking place regularly. It is only
accounting and accountants that can make business a successful venture
by keeping the accounting books intact. That is why real estate sector
is constantly looking for proficient and professional people. Therefore,
real estate follows accounting diligently for reasons like tax payment
and for managing the business properly.
However, when the question of handling real estate accounting arises,
then it becomes all the more important to have an experienced staff to
accomplish tasks properly. Real estate, as the world knows is a huge
sector in itself, where there are several participants and demands
perfect accounting services. In fact, real estate accounting is catching
up a lot with them in recent years. One will be amazed to know that its
accounting comprises a range of strategies and principals that are
lifeline for the business along with accounts. Moreover, real estate
accounting has helped in the growth process and development of profits
and has also curbed losses to a great extent. Although, keeping real
estate accounting intact is quite a tiresome and time consuming process,
and demands lot of expertise on the part of an accountant. However, this
sector follows a range of methods to track various details related to
accounting services. The details that have to be taken care of by an
accountant for real estate accounting include maintenance of accounting
books with financial transactions receipts. It additionally keeps a
track of ledger books, balance sheets and credited and debited
transaction sheets.
The real estate accounting also provides minute details on every
transaction that has been made and recorded for any requirement of the
accounting method. The other additional services provided for estate
accounting helps the businesses to make more profits and assist in
understanding the financial position of the business in the market. The
various regular services required by realtors are maintenance,
utilities, and management of various records. Real estate accounting
also demands solutions for property taxes, capital costs, and insurance
and depreciation charges referring to the cost of providing assets. It
will not be a surprised to tell you the fact that the real estate
industry has also turned tech-savvy and utilizes software for accounting
purposes. Its accounting software covers distribution and payroll,
budgeting and accounting. This software has proved to a helping hand for
the user as it is easy to use and implement.
Author: Alvis Brazma
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 4
Need for Accounting Standards for Agriculture and Livestock
Need for Accounting Standards for Agriculture and Livestock
According to the NAFSCOB (National Federation of State Co-operative
Banks Ltd) report there are 30 SCBs (State Co-operative Banks), 962
branches, 370 DCCBs (Districts Central Co-operative Banks and 1,06,384
primary societies in India by 31/3/2006. The Government of India
established NABARD to finance the agricultural sector through state and
District Co-operative Banks. All the DCCBs and PACS (Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies) are lending loans and advances for the
development of agricultural sector and uplifting of weaker section.
The DCCBs and PACBs in India provide loans and advances for different
agricultural schemes. These schemes are formulated and approved under
the supervision and control of NABARD. The high yielding cultivable
crops are identified for different regions and financial assistances are
offered under Short Term and Medium Term (ST & MT), Schematic lending,
ST & MT Agricultural loans and SAOs (Seasonal and Agricultural
Operations) Financial assistance is provided for marketing, storage,
purchase of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and for all the
agricultural activities. The commercial crops are also identified and
loans and advances are provided for production, marketing and for other
related needs under separate schemes and plans. In the books of accounts
of any DCCB or PACS we can find plenty of loans and advances provided
for cattle purchase, poultry, goat farm etc. In the accounting parlance
these are brought under the category of ‘Livestock’. As per schedule VI
of the Companies Act the livestock is included in fixed assets. Normally
fixed assets are brought under the purview of depreciation as per the
generally acceptable accounting principles and standard practices. It is
obligatory as per legal provisions of certain Acts. The stock of
inventories is categorized as current asset and valued according to the
standard practices followed by the respective organizations.
According to AS 9 - Revenue Recognition concept, the minimum amount of
sale income earned from agriculture can be reliably measured even at the
time of completion of production. This may be due to support price set
by the Government or immediate marketability. The price is
pre-determined before marketing it. In such case the revenue may be
recognized as soon as the production or harvesting is completed at the
pre-determined price and that will be the selling price. There are so
many crops for which no adequate support price is being provided and
immediate convertibility into cash is also not possible. We could find a
dispute in existing support price or the price determined every year by
the Govt.
The IAS-41 (International Accounting Standard) has been introduced for
Agriculture. The General Clarification (GC) - 12/2002, issued by the
Accounting Standard Board of the ICAI on applicability of accounting
standards indicated that the Accounting standards would apply to all the
activities of the co-operative societies including those which are not
commercial, Industrial and or business in nature. The Auditors should
examine the books of accounts of them in accordance with Accounting
Standards and deviations must be disclosed. According to Accounting
Standard 2 revised (AS-2 revised) the stock of inventories that is one
of the current assets must be valued at ‘Net Realizable Value’. The AS-2
is not applicable to producer’s inventories of livestock, agricultural
and forest products, mineral oils, ores and gases. According to AS-2 and
IAS-2 (International Accounting Standards) they are measured at net
realizable value in accordance with well-established practices in those
concerns. It is obligatory to follow similar accounting policies
consistently in all accounting periods. Any change must be disclosed in
the financial statement. AS-10 deals with Fixed Assets. All the
depreciable assets must be depreciated as per the standard practices.
The depreciation is calculated under SLM (Straight Line Method), WDV
(Written down Value method), unit of production method or any other
standard method permitted to follow. Now the questions raised on stock
of agricultural produce and live stock are
1. What are the procedures for recording such items?
2. What are the methods of valuing such stock?
3. If the current practices followed are approved which are the Standard
practices to be considered prudential?
When these questions are raised to a group of practicing Charted
Accountants, they said it is an unimportant area and hence they accept
the current method of valuation followed by their client for
agricultural produces or livestock. Since it is neglected as an
unimportant area, proper emphasis was not given so far. But, India is an
agricultural based country and more than 90% of village population has
livestock. Most of the farmers and villagers earn their livelihood from
livestock and income from crops. They take crop loan and schematic loans
from DCCBs and PACSs available in their respective jurisdiction.
Even the authorities concerned accept that they do not follow any
standard practice for valuing the yield of livestock. The breeding
animals loan and all kinds of loan granted for livestock are highly
hypothetical. It seems that it is granted on trial and error basis. In
practice the DCCB and PACS ask the party to produce a “Veterinary Doctor
Certificate” about the health condition of the cattle or the livestock
to approve the loan. Many of their methods are substandard and
unrealistic. The agricultural loans and crops loans are provided based
on the agricultural schemes and plans that are prepared on unrealistic
assumptions on the value of yield and duration of the yield. So in order
to develop standard practices, the Indian Accounting Standard Board must
come forward to formulate an Accounting Standard in the form of
guidelines or provisions. While formulating it, cautions must be taken
to prevent contradictions with other Accounting Standards, Concepts and
Conventions, especially with revenue recognition concept and matching
concept. It is expected that this will give a convincing solution for
the following questions.
1. What are the Principles to be followed in recording Agriculture
produce and livestock in books of accounts?
2. What are the methods of valuing the yield before and after the
harvest of commercial and non-commercial crops?
3. What are the situations in which livestock can be considered as fixed
assets?
4. What are the situations in which the livestock can be considered as
current Assets?
5. How to value the Livestock?
This would help to develop standard and productive practices in granting
loan to develop rural population in the long run. The lending policies
and collection of overdue would not thrust any burden or risk. The
people will use the rural credit wisely only on productive schemes. The
unscrupulous persons could be prevented from misusing such facilities
available in co-operative banks. This would facilitate to reach the
schemes and plans to the right people. The people will feel their moral
responsibility of repaying the loan and the NPA (Non- Performing Assets)
in the DCCBs and PACS in India could be brought under control.
Author: Dr. A. Oliver Bright
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 5
Bookkeeping Outsourcing-keeps an Error Free and Hassle Free
Financial Record
The concept of bookkeeping outsourcing is gaining much momentum
now-a-days. Through offshore bookkeeping job can be done in a cheaper
rate and in lesser time. As maintaining financial records from outside
is error free and hassle free, business owners are finding it the best
way to maintain all the financial records of his or her organization.
Bookkeeping outsourcing excels in maintaining all issues related to
money. Big or small, all sizes of business organization are finding it
very useful and profitable. By outsourcing bookkeeping, owners get the
scope to expand their business as they get the detailed information
regarding the income and expenditure of his company. Bookkeeping from
outside not only keep track of the financial records but the expert also
let the owner know where his or her company stands in this competitive
market. During the crisis period, they give suggestive measure.
Mostly small organization is finding the bookkeeping outsourcing very
beneficial. It cut their expenses to one third and helps them to get
quality work. Through outsourcing bookkeeping, one can reduce the
overload of work and also cut expenses. For any big or small company,
bookkeeping from outside is very much profitable. They need not have to
pay to their in-house staff and their job gets done at a cheaper price.
Bookkeeping involves handling of the financial records, business
revenue, profits and losses incurred by the company and various other
expenses. Bookkeeping outsourcing is flourishing day by day and today
business owners had almost stopped to recruit staff for maintaining all
the financial records of his company. They rely a lot on the offshore
bookkeeping. They very much like the concept of bookkeeping from
offshore.
Tax return period is very hectic. Individuals had to work very hard.
Companies had to work day and night at the time of tax session. A minute
mistake in tally may prove blunder. So, one requires to work with full
dedication. In this case, mostly, business owners rely upon the
bookkeeping outsourcing professional rather than their own in-house
staff. Outsourcing bookkeeping saves money and time. Work is done with
full perfection. Moreover, accuracy is the perfect word to describe
outsourcing bookkeeping. By hiring a right individual from a private
firm to keep all the financial record correctly removes all the tension
of the owner. An error free financial data will lift up the prestige and
pride of any organization.
There are many firms that provide bookkeeping outsourcing. It is more
prominent than the in-house staff. The expenses of in-house staff are
much higher in comparison to the offshore bookkeeping. Bookkeeping
involves keeping record of the profit and loss of the company, bonus,
gratitude, house allowance, conveyance changes, funds and various other
things. Bookkeeping is a very tedious job and requires lot of
concentration. It is a very important section of any organization. Any
company will prosper only when there is someone who keeps track of all
its financial records and offers suggestion. And in this case,
bookkeeping outsourcing is the right option for all who desires to have
an error free financial record.
Author: Michelle Barkley
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 6
On Demand CRM by Commence Best for Small Business Accounting
Commence Corporation a leading provider of Customer Relationship
Management software has announced that its popular CRM On-Demand
solution now offers seamless integration with Intuit's QuickBooks
Accounting application. The integration allows QuickBooks customers to
share Account, Contact, Payment, Purchase Order and Invoice data with
Commences web-based CRM solution.
"Accounting and CRM fits hand in glove," says Larry Caretsky,
president of Commence Corporation. "Companies want to have vital
customer information that traditionally resides in their Accounting
system available to sales and support personnel from their CRM system.
This integration makes that possible."
Industry reports indicate that there are thousands of small
businesses eager to take advantage of Customer Relationship Management
systems to capture, manage and share customer information and to use
this data to improve sales execution and customer service. The
alternatives have traditionally been complex, expensive and do not
provide integration to Accounting packages. This has significantly
limited the acceptance and use of CRM in the small business community.
Commence has addressed this requirement with an easy to use, affordable
web-based solution that offers account and contact management, sales
automation, marketing, customer service, project management, integration
to QuickBooks and Microsoft Outlook.
Commence On-Demand is delivered as a service over the Internet. There
are no hardware or software requirements and customers can be operation
in just a few hours. The basic package starts at just $19.95 per user
per month.
About Commence Corporation
Commence Corporation is a leading provider of Customer Relationship
Management solutions. The company's products are designed to provide
small to mid-size businesses with flexible solutions that leverage the
Web to offer an integrated platform for managing sales execution and
customer service. Commence supports several thousand customers through a
worldwide distribution network, with outlets in North and South America,
Europe and Asia/Pacific. For further information contact Commence Sales
at 1-877-COMMENCE
Author: Thomas Cutler
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 7
Understanding Bookkeeping Help to Help you Better
Despite of being a small, medium or a large-scale enterprise, the
main thing that rules these enterprises or businesses, is the entire
thing of profit making. In fact, any business is known by the profit or
loss that it incurs. In fact, the entire name of the business is created
in the market by the profit that the particular business is making in a
financial year. Well, no business owner would want his or her business
to go through losses and would want the business to do really well.
Moreover, it is because of this that the accounting or the bookkeeping
department of any organization is given maximum importance. In fact, a
known fact is that the accounts department of any organization is
considered to be the most important department of any organization.
Bookkeeping help can prove to be a good bargain for organization that
are having problem in tackling the accounts blues.
In fact, we all consider accounts to be one of the most hectic and
time consuming jobs. However, given the importance that it gets, no one
can actually manage to do without this section. Therefore, professionals
are hired and at times, they work really well and at times, they cannot
produce the desired results. In such cases, it becomes really difficult
for the owner of the firm to look after everything. However, thanks to
the evolution of technologies and software applications, things have
become eased out and one can actually take the help of bookkeeping help
to do away with all the accounting tensions and worries. Bookkeeping
includes many things, right from maintaining the day-to-day financial
transactions, looking after the weekly, monthly and yearly balance
sheets, tallying the profits and losses, seeing over the ledger, the
debits and credits and many more things. This can actually prove to be
hectic for a person who is not well versed with his or her work and
therefore, mistakes in the books are inevitable. In such cases, opting
for bookkeeping help can prove to be a good deal.
In fact, the benefits involved with bookkeeping is immense and once
you take the help or the aid of these firms that provide bookkeeping
help, you will realize the benefits. The first and the foremost help
that you get is that highly qualified professionals take over the
accounting responsibilities of your firm. As these people are trained,
they know all the exact processes that need to be done and moreover,
they help the organization monitor their expenses, which further helps
them to earn more revenue. Moreover, outsourcing bookkeeping help also
the organization to spend less money and this again adds up into their
funds. However, you too will need to do some homework. You will have to
look out for a firm that suits your needs. Once this is done, you can
hand over the responsibilities to the professional who is working for
your firm.
Taking the aid of bookkeeping help can actually prove to be a good
bargain for business owners. This not only helps them to save a huge
amount of money, time and responsibility but also gives them the scope
to earn more revenue. Therefore, if you feel that your business needs
good accounts monitoring, then opting for bookkeeping help will be a
good thing.
Author: Alvis Brazma
Financial & Management Accounting Advice 8
Small Business Accounting Will Earn you More Profits
Small business accounting is the latest one to attract the attention
of many business owners as they find the larger accounting firms too
busy in executing their tasks. Moreover, keeping a track on every day’s
financial transaction is a tough job; hence, needs a specialist to take
care of accounting records especially when you are a businessperson.
Thus, these firms are turning towards small business accounting
organizations for their proficient abilities to accomplish work within a
short period of time.
Irrespective of the size, every organization needs an expert to take
care of the financial numbers efficiently. However, due to the busy
schedules and mismanagement of time on the part of many big accounting
service providers, many business owners seek help from small business
accounting firms. However, every business wants to earn numerous profits
and at the same time want to make the business popular; hence, a small
business accounting is needed to handle the account books of such
companies. Well, sometimes running a business can be overwhelming and
that is the reason, why many organizations opt for small business
accounting because they offer accurate results. With the help of small
business accounting, the companies also earn huge profits in a very
short time.
These firms also help in curbing the losses that are incurred due to
various problems like work force and other resources. The service
offered by small business accounting also enhances the performance of
business in the market. However, one can say that through it, the
organizations tend to earn more and simultaneously able to curtail
losses that were incurred during the entire financial year. Accounting
service providers also earn edge over big service providers as they have
lesser clients and denote ample to cater to their needs and
requirements. Small business accounting firms are getting tech savvy
just like big and large accounting service providers. They are opting
for various software solutions that are specifically designed for their
clients. In fact, with the help of accounting software, the whole
process becomes easier and the financial records and tallying them over
and over again is simplified.
However, most of the business owners are not a qualified accountant and
are always busy in churning out profits, hence; hiring an accountant for
various accounting tasks is a good option. This is one of the
significant reasons to have small business accounting expert for
business deals for a future. Taking services from small business
accounting solutions is a good way to reduce time and personnel
resources. Therefore, small business accounting is professionals who
specialize in providing efficient and accurate accounting services.
Thus, do not wait anymore and call an executive for accounting services
as soon as possible as they deliver solutions with accuracy. The
accountant will handle accounting work carefully and efficiently, in
fact, they will also help in making a daily report on the regular
transactions and the client is updated through online file transfers.
Therefore, one can say that to earn more profits one can rely on small
business accounting for a successful business.
Author: Alvis Brazma
How to Select Business Accounting Services Provider
Over 40% of America's largest businesses improve their profitability
using outside service providers for their bookkeeping and financial
functions. Due to technological advances, this same alternative is now
available to small businesses. Firms using the Analytix solution are
discovering that moving part or all of their bookkeeping and accounting
functions to professional outside providers saves costs while freeing up
valuable management time.
Business owners need to maintain accurate financial records to
properly manage their business, while also conforming to government
regulations requiring mandated filings, such as federal income and state
sales taxes. In general, businesses need three types of services during
the year which our professionals provide:
Bookkeeping Services:
Bookkeeping is the recording of a business's financial transactions.
It is the first step of the accounting process, which also includes
classifying, reporting and analyzing financial data.
Accounting Services:
Business owners regularly need an accurate financial picture to
understand how to better manage a business. Financial statements provide
owners with crucial information such as the business’s liabilities,
assets, equity and profitability over a given period.
Tax Planning and Financial Analysis:
All businesses are required by law to file with both state and
federal government. These mandated filings range from tax estimates,
individual and business tax returns, to quarterly or monthly state sales
tax filings. Further, government regulations require that copies be kept
of all financial records needed in the filing for up to seven years.
Without good record-maintaining, businesses can leave themselves exposed
to fines and penalties during an audit by the appropriate state or
federal authorities.
Analytix is a premium provider of accounting, bookkeeping and tax
preparation services for small, medium sized and fast growing companies.
Our clients are served by a professional accounting staff that has a
level of expertise not normally found in small businesses. For more
information, you may visit us at http://www.analytixsolutions.com
Author: Analytix Solutions
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