Accounting software is designed to make accounting work easier, faster and effectively. It is used to process the transactions in accounting modules like accounts receivable, account payable, payroll, billing, general ledger, purchase order, sales order and so on. Using accounting software is more flexible than traditional style that records accounting transaction on paper. By using the software, company can save time to process accounting reports and reduce errors that will lead business progress smoothly.

There is almost hundred of accounting software available on the market. It may difficult and waste of time to find the best one. Most accounting software companies offer accounting software to all sizes of the company. What we put more focus here is small business accounting software which is designed mainly for small business. To save you the trouble we have compiled a list of the most common accounting software used by small businesses.

Xero is an easy to use yet powerful online accounting system designed specifically for small businesses and their advisors. It gives access to your financial information in real time. It is simple,smart and secure.

Bank and PayPal transactions can be automatically imported into Xero daily, so you don't waste precious time downloading and uploading bank files manually. Xero will try and automatically match transactions you've downloaded to transactions in Xero. You can easily identify unreconciled items and reconcile when you need to - daily, weekly or monthly.

Website:  www.xero.com

BankLink is an accounting service used by small businesses for their GST and end of year tax in Australia and New Zealand. It is available to businesses through their accountants.

The BankLink service electronically delivers bank transaction data from participating banks directly to the accountant. BankLink software then automatically codes as many transactions as possible. The accountant can then find out from the client the nature of any uncoded transactions using any of BankLink's electronic reports.

BankLink offers business owners a very cost effective process for completing their own accounts. It is extremely accurate and fast, and provides the security that the accounts have been completed professionally. BankLink was recognised in the 2009 New Zealand International Business Awards offered by NZTE (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise) as the winner of the Most Innovative Approach to International Business

Website:  www.banklink.co.nz

QuickBooks is a line of business accounting software developed and marketed by Intuit.Versions of this product are available in many different markets

Intuit has integrated several web-based features into QuickBooks, including remote access capabilities, remote payroll assistance and outsourcing, electronic payment functions, online banking and reconciliation, mapping features through integration with Google Maps, marketing options through Google, and improved e-mail functionality through Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express.

Intuit also offers a hosted solution called QuickBooks Online Edition (QBOE). The user pays a monthly subscription fee rather than an upfront fee and accesses the software exclusively through a secure logon via a web browser. QuickBooks Online does not offer all of the features of the desktop versions of QuickBooks, and has many features that work differently than they do in desktop versions

Website:  www.quickbooks.intuit.com
Website:  www.quicken.co.nz

Cash Manager software provides all the basic bookkeeping functions you need to enter transactions, reconcile your bank statement, prepare your GST and print various bookkeeping reports. It can also present your data to your accountant in a way they can use....

For accounting practices, MYOB offers firm-wide operations systems incorporating client management, document and workflow management and tax and compliance processing systems.

Website:  www.cashmanager.co.nz

MYOB, Mind Your Own Business, is the name of an Australian multinational corporation. The company provides accounting, payroll and retail software and web hosting to small and medium businesses, and is particularly well-known in Australia and New Zealand.

MYOB offers a wide choice of product and services for businesses ranging from entry level accounting software through to multi user enterprise software. Other products include MYOB RetailManager retail point of sale software, asset management, payroll, payment services, practice and tax software and E-commerce solutions. Software products are provided for both Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X operating systems.

For accounting practices, MYOB offers firm-wide operations systems incorporating client management, document and workflow management and tax and compliance processing systems.

Website:  myob.co.nz