What are the benefits of a sophisticated online accounting system?

There’s been a long-running debate about the benefits of a truly integrated online accountancy service and how it compares to employing the services of a traditional accountant.

If you’re running a business, you’ll want to have the right tools with you at all times. But the traditional accountant will argue that these pretty online services (and yes, Crunch is very pretty) amount to mere window dressing which fails to add any real value for small business owners.

What should you expect from a good accountant?

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly should you expect from a good accountant? What are the fundamental points you’d expect to get in return for your money?

• They’re giving you accurate and up-to-date tax advice
• They’re making time for you when you need them
• They set clear pricing points and a list of services, so you’re completely aware of what you’re giving and what you’re getting
• They’ll reduce your stress, not add to it
• Their expertise and care will create more time for you to spend on your family and hobbies.

So, does online software hit all these criteria?

Please note: we can only speak for Crunch and not any other online accounting services – the majority of which don’t include the support of expert accountants and client managers.

Usability

Crunch offer you incredibly easy-to-use software for sending and chasing invoices, automatically calculating all tax liabilities (Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE), entering expenses and monitoring your company’s financial performance. Everything is so clearly presented that you really can’t go wrong and your accounts never become a jumbled mess of figures and obscure codes.

Crunch keeps your accounting clean, with information as and when you need it.

For many freelancers, contractors and small business owners, accounting is a dark and mysterious world. Getting the most up-to-date information on your company accounts can be very difficult.

Instead of asking your accountant to collect and put together the required data, which you probably have to pay extra for, with a sophisticated online system you can see it all in real time. No wait, no delay and no extra cost. This means you can monitor the performance of your business at the click of a button, whenever you want and wherever you are, with a super-secure, cloud based system.

The perfect blend of brilliant technology and human expertise

What our clients love most about Crunch is the way in which we combine user-friendly and time-saving technology, with on-tap accounting advice and human assistance. Each of our clients get their own dedicated client manager who makes sure their accounts are running smoothly and are there to answer any queries they may have. They do most of the legwork for them.

Meanwhile, for more complex and technical issues, our team of expert accountants are always on hand to help. It’s a real team effort.

We’re recommended by TechRadar

You don’t just have to take our word for it, either: our online accountancy software comes recommended by independent technology reviewer TechRadar, who said:

“Crunch comes bristling with oodles of rock-solid features that aim to get you through your accounting and financial management chores without too much pain.”

– TechRadar, Jan. 2020

Reducing human error

We hear a lot of horror stories from clients who’ve had terrible experiences with their previous accountants who’ve messed up their accounts. And that’s the problem with the traditional accountancy practices – you trust your business is safe in their hands and can only hope for the best.

With Crunch, your accounts are readily accessible to both you and your client manager. You can always see what is happening whenever you want and you can check with your client manager if there‘s anything you’re not sure about.

Saving you time

With a genuinely user-friendly accounting system, you’ll ultimately save yourself time.

Crunch automate almost everything, which makes finalising your annual accounts a breeze. We do a lot of the hard work for you – leaving you more time to get on with running your business. This saves having to gather up sheets of financial data and taking them to your accountant, or trying to make head or tails of archaic, supposedly ‘user-friendly’ spreadsheets!

Saving you money

When technology can automate many of the mundane tasks, which traditional accountants would otherwise have to do manually, the result is cost-savings passed onto you. That’s why we’re able to offer our fully inclusive service from as little as £29.50 a month: that’s unlimited access to your client manager and our team of accountants, along with your own secure online account.

Hear from our customers

But of course you don’t just have to take our word for it, we’ve got some great case studies from people we’ve helped. Why not take a look at how we’ve helped people like you?