You might think that accounting software would be the accountant's worst enemy. These marvels of technology make it possible for businesses large and small to do in a very short amount of time the same work that it used to take bookkeepers hours, if not days, to manage.

In fact, the Computer Age has only made it more important for businesses to have a good accountant or accounting firm with the necessary resources and technical expertise to help them choose - and use - the right accounting software.

I've been doing that very job for the past two decades, consulting back in the days when PCs moved at a snail's pace, when dot matrix printers were banished behind closed doors because the sounds they made were loud and obnoxious, and when monitors displayed letters with a blinking cursor showing glowing green letters over an ominous black background.

These days, the hardware is much improved, and so is the software. But having the best computer and the most expensive software programs isn't always the right choice for your business. A good accountant who provides this specialized service will look at a company's needs to help them find the software that works best for them. If the business has a fairly simple structure, one where there aren't too many moving parts, then a version of QuickBooks is probably the right software. One non-profit organization that I work with has retail concerns because it sells merchandise. We helped set them up with Dynamics. I met with one client who I suggested should use either QuickBooks or Peachtree. After setting up a tutorial in our offices, she selected Peachtree because she felt more comfortable with the program. We may steer other businesses toward CYMA, depending on their size, complexity and structure.

The choice really depends on several factors, but the key is helping them to understand not only how to run the software programs, but also to understand the basic principles of accounting so they use it effectively. The basics of the software programs are the same, but the bookkeeping needs for each client are very different.

With my clients, I teach a real-world, one-on-one class in accounting tailored to their particular business needs. I train someone to be an efficient bookkeeper. Retailers, manufacturers, attorneys and doctors may have different structures for billing, accounts receivables and accounts payables. Regardless, they all need to understand how to reconcile their ledgers to their bank accounts every month, quarter and year.

An accountant also can point out the cost savings from effective use of an accounting software system. One client had a staff member spending 60 to 80 hours a week logging in and figuring complex financial data into a spreadsheet program. Introducing and training that staff member to master accounting software took time. Ultimately, however, it cut the time needed to perform the same functions by more than half, freeing up her work hours for other important duties.

Even business people who are very familiar with computers should consult with an accountant. I have done tax work for computer programmers who really didn't understand bookkeeping and the rules of accounting. Helping him learn how to make the most of the right accounting software helped him keep his business running efficiently.

Not all businesses have the luxury of having a computer technician on staff. That's why you should ask whether your accountant can provide support services to answer questions about your software and fix problems resulting from crashing servers or human error.

At Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C., we have Network Administrator Sammie Boutwell, who has spent nearly five decades at the firm. She provides invaluable technical support, helping clients to recover lost data, to successfully transfer electronic records and answer questions. If Sammie doesn't know the answer, we have an agreement to be the official service provider for several accounting software programs, giving us access to those software manufacturer's technical support teams so our clients don't have to pay those companies to make that call.

The right software, and the right expert helping you to make the most out of it, will help your business get the most out of its financial structure.