Choosing the correct accounting software can make or break your automotive business. /Getty Images When you are a mechanic and run an automotive repair shop, having the correct software will help you to capture not only the costs associated with the repair but all the hours worked. Choosing the right software can make estimating, billing and collections a breeze and keep your attention focus on your business and not your software. The best software has these features built right into the software. When you are considering accounting software for mechanics, it's important to review all of the software's features. Obtaining the Right SoftwareAccounting software for use in running an automotive repair shop will help you establish the profitable jobs performed in your shop, account for parts used in automotive repairs and keep track of all hours for billing on a completed job. The correct software will allow you to set one rate for the billable hours and include the rate you pay the shop’s mechanics to track your automotive shop’s profitability.

The idea behind good accounting software for mechanics is that it reduces the time spent managing the software with more time to manage the business. PTM Vision, Auto Biz and AcctPro provide these software features. Integration FeaturesChoose software that easily integrates with other websites or services. When your software can integrate with a vehicle identification number look up, for example, you can check the latest recall or service bulletins for specific vehicles. Another integrated feature to consider is payment processing that automatically enters totals for charge customers into an electronic pin pad device. Ordering parts from inside the software is easy when your software integrates with a supply vendor. This feature saves mechanics time because they don't have to place a phone call and wait while someone checks whether the part is in stock. AutoBiz software incorporates these features into its accounting software package, as does Kwik Systems and Auto Repair Boss. Labor GuidesA required feature is the ability for the software to connect to established labor guides to project labor estimates based upon national standards.

While a tune-up on one vehicle may take 45 minutes to complete, on another it make take an hour and a half. The time difference can make a substantial difference in the profitability of your shop. Knowing the exact labor estimates for specific projects will help your shop become more profitable. Autosoft Online software, available for download, provides technician management features built into the software as does Omnique and Auto Repair Boss. Reporting FeaturesPrinting estimates, accessing work orders and printing daily sales are all critical in running an automotive business. 46 High Peaks T-ShirtWith the right automotive repair accounting software, you can check areas of productivity, find your most profitable areas, identify your least profitable areas and produce reports that display hourly, daily, weekly or monthly sales. Patio Furniture In York Pa

ASA AutoRepairMaster, Auto Boss Repair and AutoBiz software all have reporting features built-in. Payroll Generation and ReportingThe software already tracks the hours spent on specific automotive repairs in the shop. An added feature would turn those worked hours into payroll hours and generate the payroll information for your shop. Having a feature that allows automotive mechanic or technician management reduces the time spent when it comes to calculating payroll. One such software, Lankar Pro allows the user to generate payroll right out of the software, as do ASA AutoRepairMaster, Kwik Systems and AutoBiz software. Outdoor Furniture Lisbon: : /Getty Images Suggest an Article CorrectionWhen the Real-Time Labor Guide® was first released in 1994, we revolutionized the industry… and with Real-Time Labor Guide Online we did it again. Over the last several decades, we have collaborated with thousands of auto repair professionals in the field for labor times that reflect real world conditions.

Our accuracy and 45 years of vehicle coverage helps your bottom line. We are so confident that you will love our product that we proudly offer a no-obligation, risk free trial so you can see for yourself how truly easy and economical our product is. Try it for yourself for FREE for the next 21 days! The Real-Time Labor Guide® was built by mechanics for mechanics. It helps them be more successful in their business by saving them so much time with the (tedious) constant task of giving estimates. The features listed below are a quick example of those offered to our Real-Time Labor Guide® customers: Try it for yourself for FREE for the first 21 days! If you've ever used a flat rate book to look up a labor time you know how time consuming and complicated that can be. Or perhaps you're a new mechanic just coming out of school. You've heard of these so called "labor guide books", you may even have seen them before, and even though you know they contain valuable information there is no plan to use them anytime in the future.

That's because today all that information is available on your shop computer. But not all software is created equal. What if there was an online labor guide resource that was so easy to use that all mechanics - from the newest technician to the most seasoned veteran would feel comfortable using it? What if this labor guide became such an indispensable resource that it would not only replace the old books that are currently collecting dust, but also was the new measuring stick against which all other labor guide resources were held to? What if - as a bonus - this online labor guide resource was so powerful it could help you convey a professional image to your customers while ensuring profit maximization? Lucky for you - you've found Real-Time Labor Guide Online! Since the first release of the Real-Time Labor Guide® in 1994 we've focused on making our software easy to use and full of bonus features. In late 2012, the same focus was extended to the development and release of our newest application, the Real Time Labor Guide Online.