No matter what size of business, owners need reports and some sort of recording keeping to track customer sales, equipment purchases, general finances and other information used to make business decisions.

Too often, however, the reports and records that are supposed to make decision-making easier and more accurate are the documents that lead to bad decisions. Typically, it isn't faulty software that's to blame. More often the issue comes down to people and input errors. In this era of "doing more with less," checking and double-checking has become difficult and costly. Increasingly, there are new methods for even small companies to use and discover these errors without the laborious, high-cost efforts of manually going through reports to search out mistaken entries.

Do you need the greater decision-making confidence these new programs offer? Ask yourself, as a business owner . . .

• Do you have complete confidence in the accuracy of your financial statements?
• Have you ever made a decision based on information you later found to be wrong?
• Are you using all the reports and management tools your financial management software offers? Do you even know what reports are available to you?
• Have you come to rely on your accountant as the only source for accurate financial information?

Don't be surprised, or ashamed, to admit to any or all of these problems. Research shows that eight out of 10 small business owners are affected by these problems the same way you are.

If you see yourself and your business in anyone of these situations, you're a candidate for new automated data file review software. These new software programs are available to take the drudgery out of double-checking input to financial management computer programs.

COMPANY PROFILE:

George S. May International Company is one of the first management consulting firms in the United States. Since 1925 it has been assisting small business owners improve their financial operations, profits, efficiency and effectiveness. Its QuickBooks Data Analysis Department (www.qdaadvantage.com) focuses on financial records accuracy. The company is headquartered in Park Ridge, Ill., with division offices in Las Vegas, Nev.; Montreal, Canada; and Mexico City, Mexico. Web site: www.georgesmay.com.