Many business owners spend countless hours sizing up how much to spend on their accounting software and on what types of features. Free bookkeeping software is often one of the things that owners will consider. Some of these systems can be pretty powerful in their own right. Wondering how they do it? Simple ads placed inside the app are one of the most common ways. In this way, it’s a lot like other free software solutions. If you’re willing to put up with some of your screen being used to show you ads, you really can get basic bookkeeping features without any fees.
Nevertheless, this software is insufficient for many companies, especially those with payroll and other form filing requirements. Thus, one popular solution is to combine free bookkeeping software with the AMS Forms Filer and Payroll. If you already know that your business needs this type of filing software, we recommend you check out our W-2/1099 Forms Filer.
You don’t need to take our word for it. Check out the first featured listing in this recent Tech Radar article of the best free accounting software in 2016. Speaking of GnuCash, the write-up says that the software “handles invoicing and credit notes, accounts payable and receivable, employee expenses and some payroll features too, and it’s quite happy with multiple currencies, cards and accounts.” Take note….some payroll features. Here’s our point: It’s precisely when basic bookkeeping software tries to tie itself to the payroll and tax filing features needed to communicate with the SSA and IRS that free software products become implausible.
Pay-For vs. Free Bookkeeping Software
Unfortunately, there is no one right answer. It really just depends on your business and existing bookkeeping resources. Many small and relatively simple businesses can get away with free software solutions. Larger, multi-faceted corporations frequently invest many thousands of dollars on sophisticated, even custom, software solutions that address all their accounting needs in a way that generates efficiency and reliability through their entire accounting department. Many companies fall somewhere in the middle and must choose whether to save on expenses in the short-term and incur some amount of risk, or else invest in some type of software solution that can deliver value for their company.
AMS and Small Business Form Filing Software
What does Advanced Micro Solutions (AMS) have to offer your business? It starts with that W-2/1099 Forms Filer platform solution. This software offers the core data management technologies you need to quickly and accurately prepare and then print information on your filing forms. It also creates the foundation on which the rest of our software products are built. The Payroll solution is particularly popular with business owners who are looking for payroll software that can pick up where their free bookkeeping software leaves off. Check out our entire catalogue of software products:
- W-2/1099 Forms Filer (required platform)
- Payroll Software
- Software-Generated Forms
- E-File Direct
- Affordable Care Act Filer
- 1042-S Filer
- Forms Filer Plus
Want to see what our software can do? Download our demo software and then talk to our Sales and Information team at (800) 536-1099 if you still have questions. You can buy our products online at any time.