There's an old saying, If you ask the wrong question, you're likely to get the wrong answer. That certainly applies when CPAs ask which accounting software product is the best. The fact is, there is no best .

There is no single product that suits everyone's needs, but there are probably several that suit one company's specific requirements. So, since the problem is matching software products with a user, the correct question is: How should I go about finding the packages that are right for my business or client?

When it comes to accounting software, the search begins by examining both the products' features and the vendors behind the products. Because accounting software contains hundreds—if not thousands—of features, this may seem like an overwhelming task. While such assessments are not exactly easy, they are not overly difficult, because only a handful of features are critical to making the right choice—and we will focus on those features.

In evaluating a package, here are the key questions you should ask:

• Does the software provide customization tools?
• Is the vendor financially sound and reliable, and can it provide the technical resources my organization will need?
• Can the product deliver the type of financial reporting I require?
• Will the underlying technology meet my current and future needs?
• s the product's account-number structure suitable for my business?
• Since e-business has become so important, does the package provide Web integration?
• Can it handle foreign currency?
• Is it easy to use?
• How much does it cost?

CUSTOMIZATION

The single most important question you need to resolve before deciding on an accounting software package is whether it can be customized—and, if it can, whether the customization will meet your requirements.

VENDOR RELIABILITY  

No matter how good a product is, users still must rely on continued support from the vendor. For this reason, you want to be sure your vendor is reliable, has the resources to meet your requirements and will be available when needed.

FINANCIAL REPORTING

A primary objective of any financial accounting system is to provide accurate financial statements on a timely basis. A frequent complaint is that a product won’t produce the kind of financial reports a company wants. Yet, considering the importance of financial reporting, users typically fail to fully consider financial reporting capabilities when evaluating products.