Technology And Accouting

Accounting and technology have come along way since the day when everything was done by paper and pencil or pen. Currently completing and task by hand is almost unheard of, but also considered archaic.

Technology has made everything easier. Software such as QuickBooks or Peachtree will allow users to just input the data and the software will compute everything. Many companies are now using the Internet to send in payroll information as well.

Currently at my full time job, we use a punch clock method to track our hours. However, our manager will input the hours into the computer and when he is finished, the information will be sent directly to our headquarters in Minnesota. I can only imagine how difficult things would be to send sensitive information through the mail, especially since most of us know that the postal system can be slow and unreliable, and could miss a deadline.

Also, with the real estate position I hold, computers have made life simplified as well. This company I work for does all types of reports at all times of the month. Some of these reports are for the owners of the properties this company manages, while the other reports are for internal use. These reports consist mainly of the monies collected and how the monies have been dispersed. With the software this company uses, people are able to create reports in a fraction of the time. For example, an employee can create and run 30 reports in approximately 30 minutes, without the use of the software; an employee would use the majority of his or her day to create one report. The aid of computers and software are allowing people to feel not so frenzied at times like month end or when reports have to be completed.

The difference between using technology and not using technology is phenomenal. For example, I have a friend who refuses to do any payroll or general ledger keeping on a computer. She is the sole person who is in charge of payroll and the books