Accounts receivable software options for your small business.

Why you need invoice software for your small business. 

Accounts receivable is an area that is a "have to" instead of a "want to" for small businesspeople. It is a necessary evil. The good news is that there are a lot of new tools available: software, apps, cloud-based, and the like that can help you manage your accounts receivable. They do so by automating routine tasks, helping you keep good books and avoid errors, and sending out timely notices.  

These tools make your job as a small-business owner easier and allow your business to be and look-more professional. Specifically, what these accounts receivable tech tools can offer, and what you should look for, are systems and apps that are intuitive, easy to use and learn, robust, and affordable. Look for tools that allow you to: 

• Import data 
• Generate bills, invoices, and recurring invoices 
• Track billable hours and expenses 
• Track time 
• Follow up 

A list of some of our favorite small-business accounting software programs:

QuickBooks online:  

QuickBooks software is the granddaddy in this field, and its maker, Intuit, has created a fantastic cloud-based version of its flagship product, called QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Online allows you to do everything you need about accounts receivable: Create invoices, track hours, manage receivables, create purchase orders, and so on. The interface and ease of use of this product is superior. 

FreshBooks:  
FreshBooks is another leader in this field, and again, it is easy to see why. The user interface is great, and it is easy to generate whatever tool or invoice you need. Follow-ups are a breeze, and what is also nice is the cost, which ranges between $15 and $40 per month, depending on which version you choose. 

Xero:  
Xero is another good online tool that can help you manage your accounts receivable. While it doesn't offer the more robust options you can find with QuickBooks, for example, it makes up for that, at least partially, by being super affordable. One downside is that Xero offers no phone or chat support; it is all online tutorials and email support. 

Zoho Books:  
Again, another fine choice, albeit a more limited one. Zoho Books allows you to generate and track invoices and so on, too, but it costs only $19 a month. 

Sage Business Cloud Accounting:  
Sage is the other big name in the small-business accounting world. It offers a great dashboard and is quite user-friendly and robust. Managing invoices is easy, and a bonus is that there are a lot of additional add-ons to choose from, ranging from billing to financing apps. 

The good news is that if you choose almost any one of these tools, your accounts receivable will be automated, professional, and organized.