Small business accounting in ERPJS starts with three steps: products in stock, cash flow, and client database. First results — in 2 weeks. No accountant needed, no Excel — just a system that works for you.
80% of small businesses track their accounting “in their head” or in Excel. While you have 10-20 transactions a day, it works. But as the business grows, chaos begins: products are in stock but can’t be found, money comes in but profit is unclear, customers return but you don’t remember their history.
Why do small businesses avoid proper accounting?
Three main reasons: fear of complexity, the belief “we’re still too small for ERP,” and the habit of using Excel. In reality, each of these reasons is a mistake that costs money.
“It’s too complex” — modern accounting systems don’t require a bookkeeping degree. In ERPJS, basic setup takes 1-2 hours: add products, set prices, connect your cash register.
“We’re still too small” — small businesses actually suffer the most from lack of accounting. Large businesses have a CFO and accounting department. Small businesses have an owner who simultaneously sells, purchases, and counts money. Without a system, they lose control first.
“Excel is enough” — up to a point. When you have 500+ products, 3+ employees, and 50+ transactions per day — Excel stops working. Formulas break, files get lost, data doesn’t sync.
What 3 things should you track first?
Don’t try to automate everything at once. Start with three basics — this is enough for 90% of small businesses.
1. Products and services
What’s in stock, what it costs, what price you sell at. This is the foundation — without it, you don’t know your stock levels or margins. ERPJS inventory management includes receiving, shipping, stocktaking, and serial numbers. Adding 100 products takes 30-40 minutes.
2. Money (cash + bank)
Where money came from and where it went. This is Cash Flow — the most important report for a small business. If you don’t know your Cash Flow, you’re not managing the business — the business is managing you. In ERPJS, cash movement is recorded automatically with every payment.
3. Clients
Who buys, how often, for how much. Even a simple client database gives insight: who are your best customers, who hasn’t returned in a while, who needs a reminder. In ERPJS, the CRM module is built-in — no separate software needed.
How to start accounting in 2 weeks?
A step-by-step plan, tested with dozens of small businesses. No need to dedicate entire days — 1-2 hours per day is enough.
Week 1 — products and prices:
- Day 1-2: Register in ERPJS, create your company, set up warehouse
- Day 3-4: Add products/services (name, purchase price, selling price)
- Day 5: Run initial stocktaking (enter current quantities)
Week 2 — finances and reports:
- Day 1-2: Set up cash register and bank account
- Day 3-4: Start entering transactions (sales, purchases, payments)
- Day 5: Check your first report — Cash Flow and stock levels
After 2 weeks, you have a working system: real-time stock visibility, clear cash flow picture, and a client database.
How is ERP different from Excel for small business?
An ERP system automates what you’d do manually in Excel. Here’s a concrete comparison for a typical store with 500 products:
| Task | Excel | ERPJS |
|---|---|---|
| Check product stock | Find file → find row (2-5 min) | Search by name (5 sec) |
| Process a sale | Manual: deduct from stock + record payment (3-5 min) | One document: stock + cash auto (30 sec) |
| Monthly report | Build formulas, verify (2-4 hrs) | One click (instant) |
| Find client debt | Search through files (5-10 min) | Client card (3 sec) |
| Stocktaking | Print list → manual count → enter (1-2 days) | Mobile scanner → reconcile (2-3 hrs) |
More on transitioning: Excel vs ERP: When Spreadsheets Stop Working
How much does small business accounting cost?
From $0 to €50 per month — depending on scale. ERPJS has a free plan with no time limits: 1 user, 512 MB storage. This is enough for a sole proprietor or micro-business with 1-2 employees.
When to upgrade to paid? When you need:
- 3+ users (salesperson, warehouse worker, bookkeeper) — from €30/month
- More storage for product photos and documents
- Management reporting: P&L, balance sheet, analytics by business unit
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an accountant to use ERPJS?
No. ERPJS is management accounting for the business owner, not statutory bookkeeping. The interface is intuitive without special education. Basic setup takes 1-2 hours.
How long does it take to switch from Excel to ERPJS?
2 weeks at 1-2 hours per day. First week — products and prices, second week — finances. Import from Excel is possible via CSV.
Is ERPJS suitable for an online store?
Yes. ERPJS includes inventory management, CRM, financial accounting, and a B2B module. For online stores, especially useful: stock tracking, automatic write-off on sale, order management.
What’s better for small business — Excel or ERP?
Excel works up to 50-100 transactions per month with 1 user. Beyond that threshold, ERP saves 3-5 hours per week on routine operations: reports, lookups, reconciliations.
Can I do accounting from my phone?
Yes, ERPJS works in the browser on any device. A salesperson can process a sale from their phone, and the owner can check reports from a tablet.
Try ERPJS for free
Free plan with no time limits. Set up your accounting in 2 weeks — no accountant, no Excel. Sign up →