Moving online makes work faster in the property business
Carra Property Group
Carra Property Group is a family business that develops and invests in property along the Eastern sea board of Australia. Up until 10 years ago the finances were managed using Microsoft Excel®. Tom Carra also clearly recalls using paper account books to manage the finances.
“Using financial software is now critical to how we keep track of everything. 10 years ago we installed QuickBooks Pro,” says Tom.
The challenge
Carra Property Group operates from multiple locations and a number of users access QuickBooks. Tom recalls the confusion that has sometime occurred when he and his colleagues have transferred files between each other.
“In the past we’ve had some difficult moments when updating files. It has been very easy to get the wrong data file and it would cause a mess.”
The solution – moving into the cloud
Tom says he first saw QuickBooks Hosted at an Officeworks Expo in 2010 and was attracted to the ease of working with staff remotely.
“At first I was concerned that relying on a internet connection would make the program slow, but it has been just as quick as using the desktop program. Being able to use the same version of QuickBooks from different locations at the same time has been seamless.”
Right now Carra Property Group intends on making QuickBooks Hosted work even better for their business. Keeping data always up to date and utilising the reporting functionality will help them stay on top of their game.
“Before moving to QuickBooks Hosted we mostly saw accounting software as a way of keeping track of finances for tax purposes. Now we want to be using ‘live’ data to get a better understanding of cash flow,” says Tom.
“As QuickBooks evolves we try and evolve at the same pace. We now spend less time inputting data and more time using the data in QuickBooks.”
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Anytime, anywhere is just what the business needs
It is now possible to access to your files and records wherever and whenever you need them.
It’s not uncommon for Jim Lennox to spend his day traveling long distances from client to client; frequently up to three and half hours. He says for a regional electronics installation and servicing business that covers 350km, that’s to be expected.
Jim owns ComTek NQ, a fast growing small business servicing clients in and around Townsville, Queensland. His diverse operation is responsible for installing public address and music systems for local shopping centres; providing in house movie services for hotels and resorts; satellite TV and internet installation; and more.
“We’re very busy and pleased with how the business has grown in six years. As someone who lives and works in regional Australia, I recognise the value in having satellite internet and television access,” says Jim.
Finding the right accounting solution
Jim was looking for a more flexible way of working on files in the office and at home. Plus, residing 64kms from Townsville, and being involved in the technology business, he was interested in what an online accounting solution would offer. “There has been once or twice in the past when I brought home the company file, worked on it offline and then took the wrong file back to office. Being 64kms from home, you can probably imagine how frustrating this was.”
A product that works today and will grow with the business
QuickBooks Hosted was recommended to Jim by a local Queensland Business Consultant, John Peppas. John was able to demonstrate the flexibility and mobility of the online accounting system and how it would benefit Jim’s business.
“Not only does QuickBooks Hosted give a business like Jim’s the functionality he needs to succeed in business now, but being online, this system has the capability to grow as his business grows,” said John Peppas.
Jim now generates invoices out of the office; gives his accountant access to log in to his data; backs up data online from in and out of the office; and says he knows the system’s rich functionality will continue to meet his business’s growing needs.
“For our business it is ideal. QuickBooks Hosted has really powerful features that I know will service our business well into the future. As our business grows, we hope to become a proprietary limited company and employ more staff. The online version of QuickBooks has functionality we’re not currently using, such as payroll management, that we will be able to use,” says Jim.
QuickBooks, hosted by Reckon Online, has the same look and feel QuickBooks users are familiar with, and incorporates the rich functionality of top of the range Enterprise product. The fully functional accounting system includes payroll management; inventory management; multi-user capacity; online billing; advanced data security; and much more.
With QuickBooks Hosted, a virtually unlimited number of users can access the company data. The account owner can simply add users to their account online, including their accountant.
With data centres in two Australian locations, operated by Reckon Limited a financially sound ASX-listed company, Reckon Online users can be assured their data is secure. QuickBooks Hosted includes automatic back-up and uniquely allows users to operate locally and remotely. Also the account owner decides what information each user can access to complete their job.
Functionality, flexibility and security add together to make QuickBooks, hosted by Reckon Online an ideal solution for many businesses. “I can’t speak for everyone, but for us it’s been so easy,” says Jim.
Accounting firm says online makes helping clients easy
“By moving to QuickBooks Hosted and being able to access data files from wherever they need, our client’s have seen an improvement in their cash flow.” – Tasha Hungerford, Keating & Associates
The Company – Keating & Associates
Keating & Associates is an accounting firm that services small to medium sized businesses in and around the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The firm has been operating since 1994 and takes a holistic approach with clients.
“We deal with business clients, not individual tax returns. No doubt compliance work features strongly in our dealings with clients, but we really aim to work on developing strategies for their business success and tax planning to help minimise their tax payments,” says Tasha Hungerford, Partner at Keating & Associates.
“One of the most important aspects of our work is to show client’s how to improve their cash flow and save time simply by doing things a little differently. And our clients live on the Sunshine Coast and want time to enjoy it. ”
Keating & Associates clients work in a range of industries including retail, medical and mining. Tasha says the way a business manages the books can have an enormous impact on the bottom line. “If a business needs a bookkeeper, they need a good bookkeeper. Fixing bad bookkeeping can cost a lot more.”
The challenge
To compliment their accounting advice and help business clients better manage their bookkeeping, Keating & Associates recently hired a bookkeeper. The new service quickly became a success and their bookkeeper was required to frequently leave the office to visit clients and assist with their financial management.
“Travelling between locations can take a lot of time, and transporting data between locations hasn’t always been smooth,” says Tasha.
Keating & Associates wanted an accounting solution that would allow the bookkeeper to remain in the office, whilst allowing her to assist clients when needed. They also wanted to minimise any loss of data.
The solution
Keating & Associates signed up for QuickBooks, hosted by Reckon Online, and now have 10 clients using the online accounting solution.
“It is so easy and quick to set up clients on QuickBooks Hosted. We still tell client’s to leave it for a day to ensure the system is working effectively but then they’re ready to go,” says Tasha.
“One of our client’s is a contractor who takes his laptop onsite and completes invoices as he goes. Unlike other online accounting software products on the market QuickBooks has the comprehensive functionality our clients need, and it’s easy to use.”
Tasha also said her clients have been very pleased with the annual subscription price. QuickBooks Hosted is a fully featured online accounting system with functionality ideal for small businesses through to large business needing to have a virtually unlimited number of users.
Users can benefit from reduced IT infrastructure; ability to work with their accountant simultaneously and from different locations; daily data back-up; regular upgrades and updates; and much more. Functionality including advanced inventory management and payroll management are all included in the yearly subscription price.
“By moving to QuickBooks Hosted and being able to access data files from wherever they need, our client’s have seen an improvement in their cash flow,” says Tasha.