I have been asked sometimes by clients how many people they should have on their accounting staff.

To that, I say, it all depends.

It can depend a lot on your systems. 

I like to say that good systems allow ordinary people to do extraordinary things. 
They can get more done.  You can end up needing less of an accounting staff or delaying when you need to add another person into the department.

So how good are your systems?  How do you tell?

One way is to ask your people in accounting.   Find out what they think:

·         How do they feel about the system overall?

·         What do they find most frustrating in the system?

·         If there was one thing that they would like to change, what would it be?

·         How does it compare with where they have worked before?

·         What is most time consuming?

·         Are there times they cannot get the information they need?

·         Do they have to spend time waiting for the system?

After you talk with a few people, you may see a pattern, good or not so good. 
Is it hardware or software or a combination of both?

It does not necessarily have to be the biggest system or the latest software. 
It can sometimes be making better use of just what you have.

To get lean with accounting, look at the system, not just the people.