A cloud-based accounting system is a package of software that you purchase the right to use but it is stored off-site on a remote server – the cloud – rather than on your desktop.  It’s cost-effective, can be simple to use, is secure, and provides all the relevant financial information you need at a click of a button. It has been said that small and medium-sized businesses are the biggest beneficiaries of cloud accounting for all of these reasons but cloud computing is not for every business. If you have minimal transactions, for example, or you are the type of person that just isn’t tech savvy, then we would strongly recommend retaining your manual spreadsheet as it is possible to get in an accounting pickle. However, if you’re a SME with manually intensive bookkeeping requirements, you can gain real benefits from implementing a cloud accounting system. Here are a few.