Selecting cloud accounting software begins with understanding what the business needs from its financial information. A director may need a clearer picture of performance, a department manager may need timely budget updates, and the finance team may need fewer repetitive tasks. Those requirements should shape the search from the outset.
Cloud accounting software is part of Pimbrook’s offering through iplicit, which it presents as a solution for growing organisations. Pimbrook also provides accounting and payroll expertise across its wider product portfolio, giving businesses a starting point for discussing their requirements.
Begin with the questions you need answered
Before comparing demonstrations, write down the questions your current setup struggles to answer. Can managers see expenditure by department? How easily can the team investigate an unexpected movement in a report? What happens when someone requests a different view of the figures?
Make these questions specific. “Better reporting” is difficult to assess, whilst “show expenditure by department and project without rebuilding a spreadsheet” gives everyone a clear objective.
Invite input from colleagues outside finance. Their needs can reveal delays or communication problems that are less visible to the people maintaining the accounts.
Examine how information enters the system
Reporting depends on the quality and timeliness of the information behind it. Review where transactions originate, who checks them and how they reach the accounts.
For example, an expense claim might pass through several emails before finance receives the final version. A sales record might be entered into one application and then copied into another. Mapping these journeys helps identify where effort is duplicated.
Pimbrook describes iplicit integration capabilities covering systems such as CRM, payroll, stock and expense tools. Any proposed connection should be assessed against the specific applications and data flows the business uses.
Give controls equal attention
Ease of use matters, but so does clarity about who can access information and approve transactions. Discuss the responsibilities of finance staff, budget holders and senior managers before configuring permissions.
Pimbrook’s iplicit feature information includes configurable workflows and an audit trail showing financial activity and changes. These are useful areas to explore through practical examples during a demonstration.
Ask how the system handles a rejected request, an amended transaction or an approver who is away. Everyday exceptions often reveal more about suitability than a straightforward demonstration.
Compare the complete proposal
A useful software proposal should explain the subscription, implementation work, training and support arrangements. Identify any assumptions about data preparation, integrations and staff availability.
Set aside time for employees to learn the new processes. Even a straightforward interface requires people to understand how their responsibilities translate into the chosen system.
Agree a small number of measures to review after implementation. These might include time spent preparing reports, the number of manual transfers between systems or the frequency of approval delays.
Choosing well means connecting the software decision to observable improvements. When requirements, responsibilities and expected outcomes are clear, a business is better placed to select accounting technology that supports its people and produces information they can use with confidence.
