software needs. Collins also argued that one should assess the way that individuals in an
organization use the applications and their needs should be considered in the purchasing
decision. That is not to imply that needs of everyone should be given equal weight. For
example, bookkeepers and data-entry staffers tend to place more emphasis on the data-entry
task of getting cash and inventory in and out the door, while CPAs focus on providing
management with the necessary financial reports. It is argued that those making buying
decisions rely heavily on the bookkeepers’ and data-entry clerks’ assessments of needs are
too often give short shrift to the product’s reporting capabilities.
Acquiring the most appropriate accounting software would not be an easy task. One would
face many challenges to get accurate and valid information that might be needed to take the
right decision. Trade shows, seminars, and magazine articles related to selecting accounting
software are typically just telling one about the good stuff. The vendors at trade shows
usually provide the users with fancy brochures and show them the advantages and
capabilities of their products. Vendors often try and gloss over or hide the weaknesses or
missing bits of their accounting software. They usually try to convince the user that their
product will do all what he/she wants whether this is actually the case or not. It less likely or
almost impossible that venders would tell the user what’s missing or what’s wrong with their
product (Collins, 1999; Tate, 1999)
The lack of reliable independent source of information makes selecting the appropriate
accounting software more complicated. It seems that there is no independent place one might
refer to or get good help with avoiding the wrong accounting software package. Even with
careful analysis, it is difficult to certain of success until the software is installed and running.
Therefore, a month or few months of operations to investigate whether is satisfies an
organization’s needs, and by then it would be too late to change it.
The main objective of this paper is to investigate, analyze and evaluate the main factors an
organization should consider in selecting the most appropriate accounting software that
would satisfy its current and future requirements and comply with its information technology
environment. Analytical approach will be implemented to study analyze and evaluate the
main factors that should be considered in the selection process. This paper proceeds to
introduce an integrated framework which links the main characteristics of accounting
software, business type and size; and the current and expected customer's needs and
requirements. The paper proceeds to present a guideline that might help organizations to
rationalize their selection among competent available accounting software packages. In the
next section, the main criteria of selecting the most appropriate accounting software for an
organization will be discussed.