As a small business owner, you wear many hats. Managing finances is just one item on a very long to-do list. Using online accounting software helps save you time through features like automated bank feeds, project costing, digital invoicing, and real-time financial reports. But you may have concerns: Is my sensitive business and customer data secure in the cloud?
Online Accounting Platforms Take Security Seriously
Leading online accounting software employs robust security measures to protect user data:
- Encryption — Data is encrypted in transit and at rest using industry standards like 256-bit AES encryption.
- Secure data centers — Servers are hosted in high-end data centers with top-level physical and digital security protocols.
- Access controls — Permission settings allow control over who can view and edit data.
- Backups — Cloud platforms perform continuous backups so data can be restored in case of incidents.
- Authentication — Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of verification for logins.
Common Concerns, Debunked
Some small business owners voice reasonable worries about cloud security. However, reputable online accounting platforms have controls in place to handle them.
Data breaches rarely occur, but if they somehow did, your data is encrypted. Compare this to saving your Excel files and sensitive documents on personal laptops that can be easily lost or stolen.
Hackers are deterred by the solid safeguards and world-class cybersecurity teams working around the clock. It’s like storing money in a bank vault versus under your mattress.
Control and access your accounts and books. You set employee permissions and easily change these if an employee leaves.
More Benefits Beyond Just Security
Online accounting provides other significant advantages crucial for small business success:
- Convenience — Access financials on any device, anytime, anywhere.
- Productivity — Automation handles tedious tasks, so you focus on meaningful work.
- Insights — Dashboards and reporting reveal insights to make intelligent decisions.
- Collaboration — Smooth data sharing and communication with accountants and bookkeepers.
5 Tips for Evaluating Security
Follow these tips when researching accounting platforms:
- Check provider reputations and verify security certifications like SOC 2.
- Ensure advanced authentication options like multi-factor authentication.
- Look for role-based access controls for managing employee permissions.
- Read independent security reviews and compare vendor offerings.
- Sign up for a free trial to test features before committing.
Secure Software Leads to Growth
With the right online accounting software, you improve security, save time, and set your business up for success. Please research to find an established brand like Jaz that allows you to focus on your customers while they handle security behind the scenes.
Jaz is the all-in-one accounting solution built to simplify and automate your most complex accounting tasks like invoices, bills, bank reconciliations, payments, and more so you can get back to growing your business or serving more clients.
Get started for free now and take control of your financial operations with Jaz.
Have you made the switch to online accounting software? Share your experiences managing your business finances in the cloud!
