Accounting and Office Staff Scheduling Software
Programs that combine both accounting and scheduling tasks for businesses are not exactly commonplace; most applications focus on one or the other. Even when you select a program that deals in both, in most cases it is a program that specializes in one task with added features for the other. Taking advantage of free trials and accounts helps you test the waters and see which program works best for your business's needs. Three programs that may work for you include Sage, Harvest, and Zoho Books (links in Resources).
Programs that Combine Accounting and Scheduling
The Sage program focuses on accounting for small businesses, with the timekeeping elements more secondary. It does not manage schedules so much as it tracks time spent on individual projects, making it good for task-based work. Conversely, Harvest specializes in time-tracking, with built-in tools for managing expenses, estimates and invoices. Zoho Books has the best balance of both, with tools to manage both time bookkeeping tasks and generate timesheets.
Sage connects to your bank accounts to easily track and categorize both income and expenses. It generates invoices, and also provides a tool that offers email reminders for overdue invoices. Harvest has built-in expense management, including the ability to upload and store receipts by taking a photo with your smartphone. It also generates invoices and analyzes expense information. Zoho Books keeps track of both income and expenses and can create both one-time and recurring invoices. It connects to bank accounts for easy information tracking and supports multiple currencies for businesses that deal in multiple countries.
Sage's scheduling features include the ability to create and manage tasks for both team members and customers. You can review project due dates, see estimated time to complete projects, and compare the actual time spent to theoriginal estimate. Harvest allows any team member to track time using either a computer or mobile device. It has both browser-supported time tracking and a desktop app for team members. You can generate staff schedules and send reminders for employees to submit timesheets. Harvest also shows time distribution among team members. In Zoho Books, you can create schedules and review them at any time. It also offers employee accounts with limited permissions so that team members can access the scheduling tools.
None of these programs are free, although Sage and Zoho Books both have a free trial option. Sage's free trial lasts for 15 days, and Zoho Books' lasts for 30 days. Both services are $24 per month after the trial period. Harvest has a free account, but it allows only one user. The Solo account supports up to four users for $12 per month. The Basic plan is $49 per month and allows nine users. The Business plan, which costs $99 per month, allows unlimited users.
This article refers to software as it was available in January 2014. Features and prices may change over time.
Ashley Poland has been writing since 2009. She has worked with local online businesses, supplying print and web content, and pursues an active interest in the computer, technology and gaming industries. In addition to content writing, Poland is also a fiction writer. She studied creative writing at Kansas State University.