When you run your business you need to monitor several aspects of your business including your finances. While you are handling the day-to-day operations running of your business single-handedly, accounting software can save the time that you are putting to handle your finances.
Accounting software is designed to assist self-employed businesses in keeping track of their income and expenses. This software also streamlines federal and state filings. It enables you to reduce the mistakes that you might make in the operations of the business procedures.
In this article, we are going to reveal the 7 best accounting software for self-employed businesses and they are effective to run your business.
What you should look for in a great accounting software for self-employed
As a small business owner, you need to keep an eye on your cash flow all the time. It is one of the important concerns for your business. This is the reason to opt for powerful accounting software for your business.
As you evaluate the online accounting software best for the self-employed, you must keep in mind the following:
- Simple interface: You must choose the accounting software that should include a setting that is easier for you to work with your financial data. A simple interface is essential so that you can check all the accounting details easily. Thus, you can perform the accounting calculations automatically.
- Multi-user access: in most self-employed businesses, a multi-user interface is important. It is important for the smooth operations of the business.
- Security: the accounting software that you pick must provide an extensive tier of protection to keep all your financial data secure and protected. You can choose the app from well-known vendors and train yourself technically before you start to access the software.
- Basic features: the accounting software that you are choosing for your business must come with a variety of available features such as invoicing, tracking payments, return tax and submit, reconciling the bank accounts, and so on.
- Customer support: before you purchase the right accounting software, you must check if the customer support team is 24/7 accessible or not. The customer service representative must be well informed about the software, and most importantly pleased to assist you.
The 7 best accounting software for self-employed free
#1. FreshBooks:
FreshBooks is one of the best accounting software for the self-employed business and it is vastly utilized all through the globe. It comes with various powerful features that make it an excellent accounting software. It is a good pick for sole traders, small businesses, and self-employed.
This software comes with a simple interface; so if you are not so much familiar with accounting software then it can be the appropriate one. This software makes it simple for you to maintain structure, create and send bills and invoices, can track all financial transactions, and receive payments.
Features:
- Excellent invoice to payment functionally
- Time tracking of work and payment
- Track your expenses easily
- Comes with FreshBooks mobile apps.
#2. ZohoBooks:
Zohobooks is another great-looking modern accounting platform that is very compatible with self-employed businesses. You can access the free trial package for 14 days and it provides you with full end-to-end accounting, creating personalized invoices, tracking the expenses, VAT, and filing.
ZohoBooks is an excellent accounting software not only great for self-employed but also accommodates everyone from large enterprises. ZohoBooks is more detailed and functional; it comes with more than fifty financial reports and offers advanced automation and workflow rules.
Features:
- Send professional invoices, quotes, and estimates
- Send Auto follow-up emails
- Manage team projects and set the goal
- Easily find your VAT liability
#3. Xero:
Xero is an effective free self-employed accounting software that blends flexibility and usability. It is a cloud-based accounting software that facilitates self-employed businesses to manage their finances from any location. Any self-business may afford it because it is inexpensive.
Various powerful features of Xero enable you to create and customize invoices for your clients and then accept bank transfer payments or swipe cards within the invoice itself. You can also put your business logo on online invoices, receive payments online, automate client payment reminders, and much more.
Features:
- Track expenses
- VAT returns
- Bank connections
- Accepts payments online within the invoices
- Bank reconciliation
- Track projects
#4. Crunch:
If you only require invoicing software with a few bookkeeping tools then Crunch can be the perfect option for you in the UK. Small business owners or self-employed businesses can quickly outgrow this program.
In this accounting program, you can create several invoices, although the VAT submission option is chargeable and the payroll option is expensive.
Features:
- Billing and invoicing
- Project billing
- Reminders for the payment to the clients
- Time and expense tracking
- Recurring or subscription billing
- Bank reconciliation
#5. FreeAgent:
FreeAgent is a proven accounting software best for small businesses, and self-employed. FreeAgent comes with the full package of tools that you require to manage your books balanced.
This is one of the most powerful accounting software yet compatible with beginners also. You can easily create and send customized bills, and invoices, manage your tax and file, and stay on top of cash flow. It also helps to track all your financial expenses and provide a complete overview of your finances.
FreeAgent is one of the easiest account software to get up and access. Moreover, you can easily get reach customer service through email or over the phone for 20 minutes.
If you are looking for free self-employed accounting software in the UK, then it is the best option for you. FreeAgent provides you with a free year of the full version.
Features:
- Compiling profit and loss statement
- Tracking all the financial expenses
- Easy to create multi-client invoice
- Bank reconciliation
#6. QuickBooks:
QuickBooks is a cloud-based accounting software in the UK. With automation, QuickBooks allow you to manage your accounts easily. This software comes with all the core accounting features that you require for handling the finance of your self-employed business.
QuickBooks allows you to create customizable and professional invoices for your clients, even you can set out reminders for your clients to make the payment.
QuickBooks helps you to submit your VAT and return to the HMRC, you can connect all your bank accounts in one place to monitor, and you will get a complete overview of the finances of your business.
Features:
- Creating professional custom invoices
- Organize all your expenses in one place
- Tracking the financial expenses
- Save time and reduce the errors
- Bank reconciliation
- Tax return and submit to the HMRC
#7. Wave accounting:
Wave Accounting is free accounting online software that UK freelancers and self-employed can get benefited from. But, if you have a larger business then you need to pay some extra that enables payroll and customer payment features.
But, the free version comes with everything from invoice management to multi-currency management. Wave enables you to create customized invoices for clients, link your bank accounts, and keep track of financial expenses.
Wave comes with a simple and modern interface, so if you are not so much familiar with accounting software then this is going to be the right option for you. plus, you will get 24/7 help from customer service through mail or over a phone call.
Features:
- Creating invoices and sending them to the clients
- Finance management
- Payroll management
- Creating report
FAQs-
Is QuickBooks worth it for self-employed businesses in the UK?
Ans: QuickBooks is very easier to use and extremely intuitive. QuickBooks is the best option for self-employed businesses in the UK. Some of its features make it appropriately such as invoicing, bank reconciliation, tracking expenses, tax filing, reminders for payment, and so on.
Do I need accounting software if I am self-employed in the UK?
Ans: If you are self-employed, it is suggestible to go forward with affordable accounting software. Because it will reduce the time and money that you require to put into your business to do the same work manually.
Accounting software comes with complete tools that you require to manage your finance and stay up to date. So, if you can free some time that you can put on other aspects of your business.
Conclusion:
Accounting software helps you to manage your finances and save the time that you require for routine bookkeeping. However, choosing the right software for your business can be sometimes tricky.
To help, we have brought together the 7 best accounting software for self-employed; you can compare them and choose the best one compatible with your business. Accounting software helps you to run your business efficiently, and allow you to focus on what you are an expert at.
