Accounting apps can be great
Accounting apps can save time, save money, improve accuracy, boost cashflow and much more.
But they keep on coming!
And they come with a lot of pressure from social media, accountants and many other places to download and adopt the next one and the next one and the one after that.
Is it useful to have so many apps?
Research in 2023 by Iris Software Group warned of an app-ocalypse and is calling on accountants to ditch multiple apps.
It’s a sentiment we endorse. We’ve been in the “less is more” camp for years.
Apps in small doses
We’re not against apps. We use them in our business every day and set them up for clients as well.
Indeed, we’re big fans of:
- document data entry apps such as Dext and AutoEntry
- direct debit app GoCardless
- data import app Transaction Pro (which we’ve been using since before cloud accounting and apps were even a thing!)
But we’re also in favour of simplicity.
We think organisations should plan and implement reliable workflows for up-to-date data gathering and data entry. These workflows can include technology – but not for the sake of it.
And we think that if a business can’t get the financial reporting it needs straight from its accounting software then either some training is required or the software should be changed.
Maybe the feeding frenzy is dying down and perhaps there will be less noise from the app fandom in the future.
But whatever happens – conquer your fear of missing out (FOMO) and don’t surround your business with technology it doesn’t need.
Don’t worry, be ‘appy.
Just not too ‘appy!
Michael
Related links:
Cloud accounting apps – are they all useful?