Remote Accounting Services: Exploring the Best Options For You

Would remote accounting services benefit your company? The answer might seem to be a simple “yes,” but the variety and complexity of options might make finding the best answer a little more challenging.

Over the past several years as technology and software has improved more small businesses are shifting to a more virtual environment.  As most people experienced over the last year and a half with the pandemic, more people than ever have worked from home. Whether it was due to small businesses working remotely or not allowing guests into their office, the need to provide remote accounting services to small businesses has increased. Remote accounting services help to provide flexibility for both ourselves and small businesses.

Remote accounting services allow us to continue to provide the same level of service to small businesses that would normally be performed on-site.  We’re able to login and see the same information the owner or accounting staff is looking at and give advice in real time.  This allows small businesses and the firm to stay on track with maintained its accounting records.

Here are a few options for businesses when looking to transition to remote services:

• QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online provides users the ability to login to their accounting system and work from anywhere at any time. Financial data can be accessed to review the small business’s financial position, make entries, send reports, and access other features provided by the software. QuickBooks Online can also be accessed from any device, including mobile devices, desktops, laptops, and tablets. It also presents an advantage in that multiple users (i.e. the small business and the accounting firm) can access the information simultaneously, allowing for group collaboration between each party.

• Remote Desktop Services

Remote desktop services allows for a secure connection to be established between your CPA firm and a computer that is in the client’s office. This option works as if the CPA was physically sitting in front of your machine at the office and is a quick and fast alternative available for remote work. The accounting software used by the small business is stored on the client’s computer and accessed remotely by authorized users.  A limitation with this option is that while an authorized user is accessing your machine (i.e your CPA), other users are not able to use it simultaneously. Remote desktop services are a fast and easy option, and one of the most cost-effective as expensive hardware or specific software is not required to administer these services.  Also, the business can utilize any accounting software.

• Hosting Services

Another option that small businesses have is hosting services provided by the CPA firm or outside party.  In this case the accounting software is stored on a server that is managed by the CPA firm or outside party. The server can be accessed anywhere at any time so long as you have a working computer or tablet and a secured internet connection.  Hosting services mitigates the need for extensive IT staff. IT Security is implemented by the hosting provider ensuring all data is secured and user privileges are properly monitored and managed. This option can also be used with any accounting software the small business is utilizing.

There are many options when it comes to providing Remote Accounting Services. Remote services provide a company with greater flexibility and increases a CPA firm’s ability to provide timely assistance. All businesses have different needs, and we would be glad to discuss with you the options that are available to you when it comes to remote accounting services, and help you make the best choice with both the present and future in mind. Please contact us at 615-385-0686, or email Shayna (shayna@pricecpas.com) with your questions.

Daniel Widick, CPA