5 Reasons To Move To A Cloud-Based Accounting System – Flawless Figures

Talking about online accounting, every day more and more businesses are turning to cloud – the platform where you access the data online anytime, anywhere, from any device.

Comparing with traditional Desktop versions, cloud-based versions may have slightly different functionality but they are versatile & provide long-term viability. Their peculiarity to get easily deployed, managed and upgraded than the contracts of the past, makes it an ideal choice. Although, it simplifies your accounting process from start to finish.

Benefits of Cloud Accounting:

Ease of Access:

Accessibility is the prime benefit of cloud-based bookkeeping. While using that old desktop-based system, all your data & accounts are on the local drive. Consequently, you get stuck in one location – resulting in limited access to your data & financial information.

However, with the cloud-based accounting, you are no more restricted. All your data is safely encrypted and stored on cloud-server. In order to access your business’s financial data from anywhere worldwide – whether you are traveling, gaining new clients or taking care of other important business matters – all you need is your device and an internet connection.

Cost:

Eliminating the need for expensive computer equipment and resources to set up and maintain office servers, it cuts the wide amount of cost for your business. Thereupon, it is the most economical way to go.

Usually, there is a monthly subscription fee in the cloud-based systems – in which updates in software and hardware are done automatically by the service provider. This helps you in staying always up-to-date at a reduced implementation cost.

Collaboration:

Well, in the desktop approach, there is limited access to the accounts. Hence, the collaboration with other colleagues & advisors is difficult.

On the other hand, cloud-based approach lets you view real-time accounting information anytime, anywhere. As a result, Key People can stay connected with up-to-date information, regardless of the location.

Security:

Keeping your data secure is critical for any organization. When you are using a cloud-based system, all your data is stored online with Military level encryption. Also, it includes backup functionality to prevent the possibility of data loss.

Even if your computer is stolen, no one can access your data unless they have a login to the online account. Your data is safe and backed up because your data is no longer at a physical server in the office. Thus, it also controls the privacy access of confidential data.

Free Storage:

All the records – file, information, and data are stored online on ‘cloud storage’. This means there is no need to install anything on local hard disks. It saves a huge amount of storage & hence reduces cost. Although, every time you log in to your account, you will get to the most up-to-date version of the software – without paying any extra cost or without updating it yourself.

This proves that cloud accounting is an accessible, cost-effective and secure solution – regardless of the Industry or firm you are competing in.

Being a business owner, you might have exclusive entrepreneurship skills but if talk about financing and accounting, it could be a tedious distraction. While you are focusing on building your brand and growing your business, it is too burdensome & toilful task to manage your bookkeeping concurrently. Thus, to alleviate your stress & pressure, Flawless Figures has come across exclusive cloud-based bookkeeping services involving Business setup, Payroll, Bank Reconciliation, Accounting software & much more.

Top Tax Deductions for Tradies!

tax deductions for tradies

Tax deductions are a great way to claim back hard earned money at the End of Financial Year. Below is a list of a few common expenses that that tradies could be claiming back in their tax returns!

Transport
If you are using your vehicle as your main method of transport to get you from one job to another, then as long as you can prove that you are using your vehicle for business use, then you are able to claim back the costs associated with that vehicle.

Using one of two ways to track your mileage, you can to claim back the cost of running your vehicle for business use.  Firstly, the log book method means that you will need to prove your odometer readings for a period of at least 12 consecutive weeks. By tracking the mileage you can claim the percentage of vehicle expenses allocated to business use, including running costs and depreciation.  Alternatively, the cents per kilometre method allows you to claim $0.66 per km on up to 5,000 kilometres of business travel.

Tools and equipment
Tools and equipment that you purchase to help you run your business can be claimed and so can repairs and maintenance on the tools and equipment purchased.

Training courses, licences and certificates
If you’re undertaking any professional development or studying for any qualifications that relate to your trade, you are able to claim back the cost. The course must be to improve or maintain your skills in your profession in order to claim it as a tax deduction.

Uniform and Protective Clothing
If you purchase certain protective clothing or items for your work, such as hard hats, sunglasses or steel-capped boots, you can claim them as a deduction. This also applies to clothing needed to distinguish you from the public, like a uniform.  You can also claim the cleaning and laundry costs of your uniforms.

Communications
Don’t forget about all of that time that you spend on the telephone and sending emails for business purposes as you’re also able to claim back the cost of work related phone and internet expenses.

Travel 
Any expenses associated with travelling for work , such as accommodation, meals and transport costs e.g.  taxi fares, tolls etc, can be claimed as long as you have your receipt.

Subscriptions
Union fees and subscriptions to professional associations that relate to your business are also claimable in your tax return.

Not sure if it’s claimable or not?  Ensure you keep a copy of your invoices and receipts and if you’re not sure whether it is claimable or not, check with your bookkeeper!

If the thought of keeping track of your income and expenses is totally overwhelming, contact Flawless Figures on 0414 859 665 or email [email protected] so we can help you alleviate the stress at tax time.

What is the Superannuation Amnesty?

superannuation amnesty

The Australian Government has announced its plans to allow employers with outstanding superannuation debts, a 12-month amnesty to pay overdue superannuation to their employees before penalties will be imposed.

It is reported that in 2014-15 alone, approximately $2.85 billion in Superannuation went unpaid.

To comply with the amnesty guidelines, employers must pay all of the superannuation that is owing to their employees, including nominal interest. The usual hefty penalties for late payment will not be applied during the amnesty period.

According the Australian Government’s announcement, employers that do not take advantage of the amnesty will face higher penalties when they are subsequently caught.

Throughout the amnesty period the ATO plans to continue its usual enforcement activity against employers who do not voluntarily disclose their historical obligations.

The SG Amnesty is a great opportunity for businesses to wipe their slate clean and for employees to be paid the entitlements that they are rightfully owed.

The amnesty is a draft law before parliament.

Click here to read the Australian Government’s announcement of SG Amnesty.

SBSCH to join the ATO Online Services

On February 26 2018, the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will join the ATO’s online services. This will streamline how you use the SBSCH and also include extra functionality, such as the ability to sort employee listings and payment by credit card. Businesses will be able to access the SBSCH within the Business Portal. For further information, click on the following link.
https://www.ato.gov.au/business/super-for-employers/paying-super-contributions/small-business-superannuation-clearing-house/

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