What is their opinion of subject?

Knowledge of a subject is not only issue on your writing acceptance from your readers. The opinion they have about it has same importance. Your primary task is to identify if they have a positive , negative or neutral opinion about your subject.

In most cases when readers have positive or neutral opinion there are no serious problems for writer. On other hand, when your reader is negative on subject you are dealing with, you should be extra careful with your letter or memo.

What actions do you want them to take?

If you have a clear goal for what you expect your readers to do, then your writing will be more succesful. Don’t forget to clarify action you want your readers to do.

What format should you use?

Before you start formatting your document ask if your company has a formatting standards. Most of them have specific standards for writing letters, memos and reports. In that case you should follow them.

What style should you follow?

Style is way you use words, abbreviations, punctuation, and other elements. If your corporation use a specific style, use it. Otherwise follow commercial standards available. Capitalization is an element you should use systematically. You must capitalize proper nouns and first word of sentences.

In what order should you present information?

The Classic standard applies here too, which is introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction informs reader what subject is all about and provides all necessary information reader needs to understand.

The body emphasizes and analyzes subject .During that process always keep in mind that your points should be stressed according to their importance. The most important should be first.

The conclusion sums up points given in body and directs to an action to be taken.

What attachments should you include?

The last question asks you to identify if and what kind of attachments you may need for your project. Sometimes extra information helps readers to understand better subject you have prepared.

4. Best Value For Money

Once you have selected right package for your business you may as well get best value. Shop around as price can vary greatly and product is exactly same. Online merchants such as Amazon may offer better pricing because of sheer volume of products they sell. However price is only one part of equation so if their is great merchant locally with support or installation assistance this may be far more valuable.

5. Major Brands

There are two major players in small business accounting software market. They are QuickBooks and Peachtree. Microsoft is expected to enter market soon. I recommend choosing a major brand so that you can get regular updates and you know company will be around as long as your business needs them.

6. Ease of Use

Ease of use is a personal thing but it is worth trying software before you buy it if you can. Remember to get person who will be main user to test software as well. Also consider how well package can interact with other software you use. This is an advantage Microsoft package may have when it's available.

7. Features Needed

I touched on this earlier when talking about thinking ahead as to where you business will be in 5 or 10 years time. Most accounting software packages come in several different versions. If you don't need certain features now and can't see a need for them in future then don't buy them. The major differences are usually - number of users allowed, inventory management capability and number of reports available.

To sum up think ahead when planning your purchase of small business accounting software. You will make a much smarter business decision that will save you plenty of trouble and money in future.