For new businesses, starting fresh with a cloud solution is easy as signing up. Established businesses, however, will need to plan ahead for migration to ensure that critical data is kept intact and everything continues running smoothly. Fortunately, major cloud accounting providers such as Quickbooks Online allows seamless transition from older, traditional desktop-based solutions. Many business owners who migrated to cloud accounting technology have reported cost savings and greater efficiencies in day to day operations.

Here are the top benefits to consider when researching cloud accounting solutions:

1. Safe storage of financial data

Cloud accounting technology can provide a more secure method of storing financial information than desktop-based software. Data is routinely backed up to servers in multiple locations by the SaaS provider, and there are no physical hard drives or computers containing sensitive data that can be stolen. Since financial information isn’t kept on-premise, the risks of fires and natural disasters are also mitigated.

2. Sync data automatically

Cloud accounting software does the heavy lifting so you can spend your time on other important business tasks. Automatically sync your bank accounts so you don’t have to manually import transactions or verify expenses. If 84 percent of businesses using cloud software are cutting their application costs — it’s a good indicator that with the adoption of online accounting, you can too.

3. Pay as you grow

Small businesses often experience growing pains, which makes choosing software with future growth in mind a priority for many. Cloud accounting software allows businesses to purchase what they need and increase their spend as they grow. This includes adding more storage space, users, and more advanced features.

4. Multi-user access

Once you reach a point where your business is looking to outsource specific tasks, using cloud accounting can help scale in a cost-effective and controlled manner. The multi user feature of cloud accounting means you can give different people access to your financial records and bookkeeping process, which they can access remotely. This streamlines workflow and allows you to ask your advisor or accountant questions directly, all based on the most up-to-date versions of documents. The multi user feature makes for quick communication, team collaboration and less back and forth.

5. Data accuracy

Cloud accounting programs promote accuracy by streamlining the data-importing process and eliminating double-entry mistakes or other human errors that might occur. TechRepublic praises Saas-based accounting systems citing the “built-in controls that automate the identification of duplicate entries, and prevent other errors.”

6. Prevent unauthorized access

The same way you don’t want strangers accessing your pictures or your Google documents, unauthorized users in your accounting software is even more disheartening and even dangerous. Login credentials for your cloud accounting software enable only designated people to view and access your financial information. Data is completely private and protected.

7. Minimal downtime

As with any online or desktop software, periodic security upgrades and software updates are essential to keep programs running smoothly. Cloud accounting software is no different. You will experience some — though minimal — downtime for such updates, but will be alerted ahead of time.