The ability to work in the cloud, and in some cases conduct business completely through it, is shaping our workforce today. Wait! Don’t go anywhere. Before you scoff at the rest of this post, consider this: 37% of U.S. small businesses have fully integrated cloud computing and a 2014 study by Intuit predicts that number will reach 80% by 2020. And with all of the benefits of running a business in the cloud, it’s no wonder. While we’re just starting to see the benefits of cloud computing take shape, it’s clear that cloud-based computing can make work-life easier, and at the very least, more efficient. Here’s why running a business in the cloud is worth it:

• Save time and money during tax season. Oh, tax season, we’re bidding you farewell until next year (thank goodness). However, as entrepreneurs, we understand that taxes are rarely far from your mind, no matter how far away they are on the calendar. Implement cloud-based computing now to get a head-start on next year’s tax season. Experts say the best thing you can do to prepare for the upcoming tax season is to automate your accounting process. Moving your accounting documents to the cloud helps you create a secure spot for transferring documents, not to mention one that saves hard earned cash. With a cloud-based system, you don’t have to waste pennies on postage or waste time on in-person meetings with an accountant. Consider strictly using online banking to streamline this process even more: transactions are clearly visible and well-documented making tax season even less stressful.

• Scan, upload, and store documents online. Repeat after us: “Dropbox is my friend.” Scanning, uploading, storing, and sharing documents online has never been easier. Platforms like Dropbox make filing simple. Need to file contracts? Do so in Dropbox. Need to share photos of a completed project? Dropbox saves the day again! Dropbox makes storage a breeze. In fact, 1.2 billion documents are saved each day. Their free version stores up to 2 GB while a paid business version, which starts at $12.50 per user per month, offers unlimited storage. And it doesn’t just stop at Dropbox. Get paperwork signed, returned, and stored with Docusign. Share accounting information via Quickbooks Online. The cloud-based possibilities are endless.

• Use Google Docs and similar tools for collaboration. While considered a buzzword by today’s standards, collaboration is an integral part of business. Up the ante by implementing Google Docs with your team. Not only is Google Docs free (#winning), it’s also a great way to streamline work and encourage collaboration. Google Docs looks strikingly similar to familiar Microsoft Office platforms making it easy to learn for those that are a little weary. Sheets is reminiscent of Excel, Docs of Word, and Slides of PowerPoint. Plus, the ease of use can’t be beat. If you have a smart phone, tablet, PC, or work on a variety of desktops at different locations, all you need to do is open an Internet browser to start editing or creating new documents. Team members can collaborate on projects, each inputting their own changes without having to send attachments over your email server and without worrying about documents getting lost in the shuffle.

• Outsource your bookkeeping. We would be remiss not to mention that a fantastic way to run your business in the cloud is to outsource your bookkeeping. In fact, by just outsourcing your bookkeeping, you could save an average of 230 hours per year. A professional bookkeeper that’s a part of your team, like the ones at Acuity, can really make your accounting life easier. You won’t have to worry about sending invoices, reconciling transactions, or anything else related to bookkeeping because there’s a dedicated professional doing that for you. Of course, as your needs grow, we’ll grow with you, too; acuity is scalable. All you have to do is set us up with your bookkeeping platform, and we’ll handle the rest.

If you’re ready to make the jump to outsource your bookkeeping, let us know. Talk to an expert now.