Test

Category: QuickBooks

  • Thoughtful Design: The Secret to Tech That Actually Works

    “Just tell me what to use.” Sound familiar? When time is tight, it’s tempting to skip the strategy and jump straight to solutions.

    But here’s the truth: the fastest path to the right tool starts with slowing down—just enough to ask the right questions. This article shows why thoughtful design isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for sustainable growth.

    It explains how tools like Microsoft 365, Power Automate, and QuickBooks can either streamline your business or create chaos depending on how well they’re configured. One client described their business as “a five-star restaurant with a kitchen in chaos” a polished customer experience hiding broken internal processes.

    If your systems feel like they’re held together with sticky notes and whiteboards, it’s time to rethink how you’re building. Click to learn how thoughtful design can save you time, money, and frustration.

     

    TechHouse

    Innovative Solutions. Practical Software. Friendly Support.

    Schedule a call  |  View Upcoming Events  |  Access our TechHouse Library of Articles

     

  • Choosing the Right Accounting Software for Your Small Business

    Choosing the Right Accounting Software for Your Small Business

    As a small business leader, choosing the right accounting software is a crucial decision that can impact your business’s financial management. 

    Four factors to consider when choosing small business accounting software

    Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the right accounting software for your small business:

    • Scale
    • Help
    • Cost
    • Cloud vs. local

    Let’s look at each of these factors in detail to help you make the best decision for your business.

    Scale

    Choosing an accounting package that can scale with your business is important. 

    Businesses typically keep their current accounting software for seven years or more due to the substantial cost of migrating sales, expenses, and financial data. 

    When researching, consider a solution that will meet your needs today and in the future.

    Market Share

    Choose accounting software that is well-known and widely used. 

    With over 50% market share in the US, QuickBooks has substantially more knowledgeable bookkeepers, accountants, and consultants than its closest competitor, Xero, which has about 10% market share.

    Cost

    Most cloud accounting packages for small businesses are similarly priced. Some even offer “entry-level” discounts that support strictly limited customers or vendors. 

    Unless you are confident you will not exceed those limits for the next 5 to 7 years, the cost of migration to a better solution may outweigh the limited benefit of the month-to-month fee.

    Cloud vs. Local

    While desktop-only accounting software is still in use, we strongly encourage all our customers to transition to cloud versions of software. 

    Software vendors have far more resources to spend on cybersecurity than any small company does, and they have more at stake should a breach occur.

    Choosing the Right Version of QuickBooks

    After evaluating the above criteria, we believe that QuickBooks Online is the best fit for most small businesses. Once you’ve decided on QBO, you will need to select the version that will work best for your needs.

    QuickBooks offers Simple Start, Essentials Plus, and Advanced. All versions offer unlimited customers, vendors, employees, and products and unlimited invoices.

    • Simple Start – Ideal for a single user to track invoices and expenses, and generate reports.
    • Online Essentials – Perfect if you have a small team and start separating duties. For example, the owner may view financial reports, and an office manager enters invoices and pays bills. This level is typically good for companies with 3-5 employees.
    • Online Plus – Great for larger teams needing more separation of duties. It allows data organization by location or business line and includes budgeting tools. As the organization transitions from 5 to 10 or more employees, Online Plus supports refined workflows and reporting.
    • Online Advanced – The most feature-rich version. It includes data backups, Excel integration, and batch data management.

    The monthly cost difference between the lowest and highest-priced versions equals a few hours of outsourced bookkeeping. Choose wisely and invest in a solution supporting your business’s growth and success. Remember, the right accounting software is an investment in your business’s future.

    In Conclusion

    Choosing the right accounting software is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s financial management. But remember, you’re not alone in this process. Our team of experts is here to help you every step of the way.

    We can assist you in selecting the right software that fits your business needs, guide you through the migration process, and ensure you’re making the most of your chosen solution. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your team.

    Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any questions or concerns. We’re committed to helping your business succeed. Contact us today to get started on your journey to better financial management.

  • Switching to Remote Work: A Simple Guide

    Switching to Remote Work: A Simple Guide

    Switching to Remote Work: A Simple Guide

    In 1995, Kathy Durfee started TechHouse. She needed to work from home due to family obligations and her job didn’t allow it. Now, over 20 years later, many of us are working from home. 

    What has TechHouse learned?

    Stay Connected

    You don’t need to be in the office to work together. 

    Use contact management systems like Dynamics 365 or Power Platform to keep track of everyone’s contact info. This becomes your central address book.

    Next, keep track of what everyone is doing. Record emails, phone calls, tasks, and appointments. This way, everyone knows what’s happening. You can even track inbound emails automatically for some contacts or employees.

    Use workflows to follow tasks and data. When one step is done, the next one starts automatically. Everyone can see where things are at and what needs to be done next.

    Lastly, use alerts and reports to keep everyone informed. This ensures everyone can see what is going well and where help is needed.

    Move to Cloud Apps

    While the cloud didn’t exist in 1995, it has certainly made remote work easier!

    QuickBooks Desktop can be moved to QuickBooks Online. There might be some issues if you use advanced features like inventory tracking or multi-company features, but QuickBooks has tools to help with the move.

    Microsoft Access apps also need to be moved. This is a bit more complex and there’s no set tool or path. You’ll need to move data and forms separately. It might be easier to start fresh with PowerApps.

    The Human Side of Remote Work

    Working remotely isn’t just about tech. It’s also about people. We need to communicate and support each other.

    At TechHouse, we stay connected in three ways:

    1. We chat for an hour every week.
    2. We meet in person once a month for a day and twice a year for two days.
    3. We make sure everyone gets a chance to speak in meetings using round-robin and similar approaches.

    Work-Life Balance

    Working from home can mix up work and personal time. It’s important to have a regular schedule and clear boundaries.

    In the end, remote work can be great for everyone if we address both the tech and human sides of it. Let’s do this together!