Technology has continued to revolutionise the way we do business – and there is no indication that this fact is slowing down. It seems an almost never-ending cycle that software packages ever increase their ability to deliver tailored, sophisticated solutions to Chartered Accountants and other business professionals. This is true across both a wide variety of industries, platforms and applications.

As a result, the vast number of software choices that we are faced with adds to the perplexity of trying to understand the complexities of what outcomes we are searching for.

It is true to say that we now take technology for granted and most of us would find it implausible to think of a business situation not assisted by both hardware and software – even our personal lives have become more reliant on our technological assistants. Nevertheless, dealing with them brings to bear a string of potential frustrations that can often make dealing with IT issues a difficult process, one seen to be fraught with potential pitfalls.

Perhaps it is for these reasons that the Business Software Guide has proved so popular with our members. It is a comprehensive tool, which allows you to cross-reference by industry and function, making your software package choices much simpler and relatively straightforward. If there is such a thing as “the best accounting software to meet your needs”, then you will find it in here.

I trust that this guide will therefore assist you in finding your way through the software choices that you ultimately need to make. We hope that this guide will help you deliver the optimum results for your business and your ongoing success.

Andrew Arkell

The Institute’s President