Difference Between Manual and Computerized Accounting (With Table)

Manual accounting is slow on the other hand computerized accounting is comparatively faster. Calculation error might occur in manual accounting but not in computerized accounting.

Comparison Table Between Manual and Computerized Accounting

What Is Manual Accounting?

Before the introduction of the computerized financial system, accountants executed all accounting processes by hand using paper-based accounting systems like vouchers, journals, and account books to store and analyze financial transactions. Some small organizations and businesses still use this method.

A manual system is more cost-effective because it is not necessary to buy computers and software or train employees.

A manual system can also be more secure because it is not required to use the internet to transfer data to the IRS or accountants. The manual accounting system has no inconvenience since it can work even when there is no electricity, unlike a computer system setup.

However, human errors such as figure transposition, omitting a transaction, and so forth, can occur while using the manual accounting system.

1. Operating procedure: A proper method of operating the system to store and process the data.
2. Accounting framework: It consists of grouping structure and principles for records maintenance.

Companies with computerized accounting software can customize the software to accommodate business entities in different areas, multiple currencies, and their branches that sell various products.

The benefits of computerized accounting include minimum mistakes, better efficiency, lower operating expenses, and better quality work.

Main Differences Between Manual Accounting And Computerized Accounting

Speed

Computerized accounting systems are much faster than manual accounting systems. The time required to enter data may almost be the same for both systems. However, a computerized system helps users when tallying the results.

Computers generate reports quickly, and you can change parameters just by clicking and choosing options instead of adding whole columns of numbers. Computerized systems are susceptible to glitches and bugs that can slow you down.

Simplicity

Business owners or accountants do all the calculations in a manual accounting system. They add and subtract the transactions manually. However, in computerized accounting, the software does the calculations automatically.

1. In manual accounting, you identify transactions annually. Computerized accounting systems identify the transactions automatically.
2. In the manual accounting system, one needs to record the balances of accounts manually in the ledger; thus, the trial balance is prepared manually. A computerized accounting system produces the trial balance automatically.
3. In manual accounting, you prepare a trial balance when required, but in computerized accounting, the trial balance is available upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Manual Accounting And Computerized Accounting

Why is a Computerized system better than a manual?

A computerized system is better compared to the manual system for the following reason:

1. Speed: The primary difference between hands-on and electronic systems is speed. The audit software program not only refines the information, as well as creates reports much faster than hands-on systems, but additionally allows much faster data entry.
2. Accuracy: Standard manual bookkeeping is tiresome. Computerized bookkeeping systems enable accounting professionals to process more info than in the past by creating precise financial records.
3. Automation: Manual accountancy is more tiresome compared to digital bookkeeping. You have to include columns accurately, double-check your work and literally write in numbers.
4. Assimilation of bookkeeping with other company processes: Accounting is interlinked with other organizational processes, such as purchases, sales, banking, taxes, and so on. In electronic accounting, it takes to enter data just once, and all the incorporated processes are as necessary cared for.
5. Coverage: The digital audit enables quick data access. Yes, the computerized system is better than the manual system.

What is the difference between computer files and manual files?

In the event of a physical catastrophe in the workplace, making use of paper management software means all your documents can be recovered via a routine “restore from back-up” activity.

The main benefits of digital document monitoring are:

1. Organization transactions are evaluated.
2. The transactions are recorded.
3. Entries are published to the ledger accounts
4. A test balance is prepared from the equilibriums of accounts.
5. Accounts are reviewed, and the needed changes made.
6. Modifications are uploaded in the ledger to prepare modified trial equilibrium.
7. Readjusted test equilibrium is utilized to prepare the annual report, as well as revenue and loss account.
8. Financial Statements are prepared from the lastly readjusted ledger and balancing the accounts.

Conclusion

Both manual and computerized systems have their merits and demerits. However, automated systems make work easier, which is welcome, especially for large organizations.

It is hard to oversee accounts, using the manual accounting system because the number of financial transactions expands each day. More effort is required to update each transaction in the affected accounts.

Manual systems are suitable for small businesses and do not work efficiently in companies that have many financial transactions.

References

1. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3008043
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09639289400000008