The challenge of running a business can reach new frustration levels when managing finances. There are endless spreadsheets, manual data entry, and confusing reconciliation processes. Any small error can lead to large mistakes, compliance issues, and even cash flow problems.
Business Central Accounting software helps businesses transform financial operations and streamline accounting processes. The platform allows organizations to provide stakeholders with seamless financial reporting. Let’s explore how companies can use Business Central to close accounting periods and perform other critical accounting functions.
Business Central is an ERP capable of meeting the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. You can integrate into business functions needed for sales, finance, inventory, project management, project management, and accounting from a single platform. That makes it possible to provide everyone in your organization with real-time data access.
Team members can collaborate with others to ensure accounting functions and related documentation are completed correctly. The AI-enhanced insights also help make decisions to improve your company’s performance and profitability.
Below is an overview of some essential features Business Central provides to help streamline accounting processes.
You can use automated workflows to automate routine accounting tasks, including:
That cuts down on the manual effort required to maintain accounting data and minimizes mistakes caused by human error. You can set up approval processes for expense reports, purchase orders, and invoices. That means no longer dealing with bottlenecks when it comes to getting documents in front of the right approver.
Business Central updates financial data in real time, allowing you to provide accurate and relevant financial reports. Company leaders can look at a centralized dashboard to track revenue, expenses, and profitability without delays. Those tasked with making decisions for the business always have the most accurate financial information at their fingertips.
You can customize reports using tools like Account Schedules and Power BI to analyze performance, financial trends, and cash flow. This allows businesses to focus on the most important metrics impacting the organization, and analysts can come up with more accurate forecasts using a single source of truth.
Business Central integrates with other business functions, allowing companies to provide seamless data flows to every department. This breaks down information silos that can result when you have information held in different repositories all over the company.
All financial transactions are recorded automatically in the General Ledger module. This reduces the effort needed to track income, assets, expenses, and liabilities and further reduces the time needed to ensure accurate financial statements.
Below are some best practices to apply when using Business Central accounting software to streamline financial operations.
Business Central performs automated data synchronizations. This ensures that transactions, including sales, purchases, and payroll, get updated instantly. You can also set up reports that automatically generate after specific updates. In addition, businesses can schedule regular data refreshes for their financial records to keep data accurate and current.
One way to refresh data is to set up a connection to Power Automate and configure scheduled refreshes from there.
Another is to follow the steps below to create Job Queues.
How well you handle accounting periods goes a long way to ensuring accurate financial reporting. Business Central provides tools to help with opening, closing, and adjusting entries. Businesses can finalize data for specific periods and prevent further changes. You can maintain precise financial records for better reporting.
Below is an overview of using Business Central for accounting periods.
Open Accounting Period
Business Central will automatically generate monthly accounting periods starting on the date provided. Make sure you have the correct period end dates set.
Close Accounting Period
The following steps show you how to create workflows to automate approval processes in Business Central.
Some of the most common uses for automating workflows include:
You can track approvals and requests by searching for Approval Request Entries to see all pending approvals. The Workflow History also shows all completed actions and rejections.
If you will use workflows, make sure you clearly define approval thresholds to avoid delays. Align conditions for applying workflows only to relevant transactions. Enabling email notifications can speed up approvals. Test workflows in a separate environment before deployment.
Internet eBusiness Solutions (IES) helps organizations find platforms best suited for their business environment. You can modernize your workflows and make life easier for employees. Reach out to one of our representatives to learn more about how we can help.