Free Accounting-Related Downloads on the Web

ASPs. Online Accounting. Web-based filing. Many big companies are spending millions of dollars preparing for the "big wave" of online accounting applications - and the scope and terminology of it all is overwhelming.

But just for kicks, why not take a look and see what the average consumer or home business is looking at and accessing today regarding accounting applications and software on line.

Internet resource CNET lists [1] over 400 free, demo or shareware accounting applications available today. A lot of what you're trying to do for your clients could be available for free on the Web.

For instance:

• Almost 7,000 people have downloaded a shareware for keeping track of business finances [2].

• 6,000 people have accessed a demo program to capture call records from a PBX system and compute costs [3].

• 5000 people have downloaded a demo of a time and billing software for Microsoft Outlook Calendar [4].

• Over 100,000 people have downloaded a home finance software package [5] (is it compatible with your system?)

• You can even download a program to calculate federal and state withholding taxes for your nanny! [6]

Is this freeware a threat to you? Maybe not. Does it provide better service than you can provide? We certainly hope not! Can you take this information and add-value to your clients who may be searching for free stuff out there? Definitely!

It is helpful to be aware of what's out there - for both offensive and defensive reasons. So check out the Accounting Downloads page [1] on CNET - just for kicks . . .