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Four Steps to Delightful Accounting Presentations

By Charles Hall | Technology

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In this article, I provide you with four steps to delightful accounting presentations–even if you are a CPA. Yes, this can be done!

If you’ve read the book  Presentation Zen , you know that many speakers –without intending to– hide their message . In watching CPE presentations and board presentations, I have noticed that (we) CPAs unwittingly hide our message. How? We present slide decks that look like intermediate accounting textbooks–chock full of facts, but too much to digest. And do we really believe that those attending will take those slides back to the office and study them?

Probably not.

My experience has been those slides end up in the office dungeon, never to be seen again. We  have one chance to communicate–in the session.

It is the presenter’s duty to cause learning .  So how can we  engage our audience (even those sitting on the back row playing with their cell phones)?   Let’s start with the slide deck.

1. Make Simple Slides

Make simple slides.

I try to have no more than two points per slide , and I leave out references to professional standards (at least on the slides).

What happens when you see a slide that looks like it contains the whole of War and Peace ? If you’re like me, you may think, “Are you kidding? You want me to consume all of that in the next three minutes. Forget it. I will not even try.” And then you begin to think about your golf game or your next vacation. So, how much information should you include on a slide?

Nancy Duarte recommends the glance test for each slide . “People should be able to comprehend it in three seconds.”

2. Include a picture related to the topic

Include a picture.

For example, if I am presenting to auditors, I might display a picture of someone being bribed. Verbal information is remembered about ten percent of the time. If a picture is included, the figure goes up to sixty-five percent. Quite a difference.

3. Tell a story (and ask questions)

Tell a story and ask questions.

People love stories. If your presentation is about bribes and you have not audited a bribery situation, Google bribes, and you will find all the stories you need. If you can’t find a story, use a hypothetical. Why? You are trying to draw your audience in–then maybe they will put that cell phone down (your most triumphant moment as a speaker!).

Telling your story at the right pace and volume is also important.

Also engage your audience with questions. Stories get the juices going; questions make them dig. And, if they answer you, there is dialog. And what’s the result? Those talking learn, the audience learns, and, yes, you learn.

Move. Not too much, but at least some.

A statue is not the desired effect. Moving like Michael Jackson is also not what you desire (moonwalking was never in my repertoire anyway). But movement, yes. I walk slowly from side to side (without moonwalking) and will, at times, move toward the audience when I want to make a point. So, am I constantly roaming? No. Balance is important.

Now, let me provide a few thoughts about presentation software and handouts.

Presentation Software and Handouts

Presentation Software

If you have an Apple computer, let me recommend Keynote  as your presentation software . I do think PowerPoint (for you Windows users) has improved, but personally, I prefer Keynote.

Another option—though there is a cost—is using Canva to create your slide deck . Your creativity is almost unlimited with this software—pictures, graphics, templates, colors, resizing, and more. Once the slides are created, you can download them as a PDF. Then present the slides (in the PDF) using the full screen option in Adobe Acrobat . I’ve done this a lot lately. Love it. 

Here’s a sample Canva slide:

If you need to provide detailed information, give your participants handouts (examples of what you are discussing).

I prefer not to provide copies of slides. Why? Your participants will read ahead. You want to keep your powder dry. If they already know what you’re going to say, they’ll stop listening.

Your Presentation Tips

What do you do to make your presentations sizzle?

About the Author

Charles Hall is a practicing CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner. For the last thirty-five years, he has primarily audited governments, nonprofits, and small businesses. He is the author of The Little Book of Local Government Fraud Prevention, The Why and How of Auditing, Audit Risk Assessment Made Easy, and Preparation of Financial Statements & Compilation Engagements. He frequently speaks at continuing education events. Charles consults with other CPA firms, assisting them with auditing and accounting issues.

Amit, I have seen Prezi on the Internet, but I have not used it myself – though it looks inviting. Have you tried it or have you seen anyone use it?

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• TECHNOLOGY Q&A

5 advanced PowerPoint tips for awesome presentations

Q. I've been using Microsoft PowerPoint for years, but I feel like there's so much more I could be doing with it. Do you have any tips that could help even an experienced PowerPoint user?

A. Almost 35 years after it was first released, the application known today as Microsoft PowerPoint continues to be a go - to presentation software for accountants worldwide. Yet many of those users, even ones who regularly make presentations, haven't scratched the surface of PowerPoint's real power.

Think of PowerPoint as a guide companion. You are sharing your expertise on a certain subject, and PowerPoint is there to help you drill home the details. Keep in mind that your attendees need to pay attention to what you're saying, not to flashy images or extensive text on the screen.

For the greatest success, keep your presentations clean and consistent and follow these general best practices that even the best and brightest among us still ignore:

• Use a theme to ensure consistency.
• Limit the on - screen content.
• Avoid excessive animations.

With the proper principles in place, you can make the most of PowerPoint's many features. The following five tips may help in that process. To watch them in action, download this sample PowerPoint file with short, non - narrated videos of each tip.

1. Create a master slide

Some of us, myself included, have been guilty of building one decent slide and simply duplicating it over and over to create an entire presentation. This creates a lot of extra work when you want to go back and change the font or adjust your logo positioning on all the slides. We've got to stop doing this.

Using PowerPoint's master slide section allows you to be consistent throughout your entire presentation. Apply your logo, set your font sizes and colors, and create background styles all in one place. If you need to make a change later, one simple edit to the master slide will update your entire deck. This is much better than the old copy/paste route.

Master slide can be accessed by going to Master Views > Slide Master , which will take you to the Ribbon shown in the screenshot below.

As you get comfortable with the master slide, you can build out a fully personalized template of master slides for all layout options.

2. Use the Selection Pane to manage multiple boxes

Even if you follow my advice and keep your presentations minimal, you'll still probably have some trouble with items overlapping on your slide. This can make editing a pain. The Selection Pane tool is much easier to use than trying to click at just the right angle to get to that object box.

To access the Selection Pane, click any item on your slide, then select the Picture Format (or Shape Format ) Ribbon on the top menu. From there, you can choose Selection Pane from the Arrange group, as shown in the screenshot below.

This tool is great for testing animations and hiding elements you don't need at the moment. By clicking the small eyeball on the right side, you can temporarily hide an object from view. You can also rename objects by double - clicking the name on the right, or simply use the pane to easily select the item that you need.

3. Make super smooth transitions with the Morph tool

OK, I know I've preached simplicity and minimalism already, but some animations and transitions are acceptable and can even improve your delivery and your audience's attention span.

Morph transitions are more than just a "slide in from right" option. They allow you to dynamically move individual objects on the slide in whatever way you'd like, and even animate multiple objects simultaneously.

To get started, create a slide containing the objects you want to "morph" and duplicate it. After that, select the second (duplicate) slide, click Transitions , then Morph , as shown in the screenshot below. Select Effect Options and choose the words, characters, or objects that you would like to animate. Move the items you want to animate to where you'd like them to end up, and you're done.

Be sure to check your slideshow after doing this, to ensure the morph effect has worked as you expected. If done correctly, this can really add something special to your presentation. It takes some time to fully grasp, but once you give it a shot, you'll be hooked on the Morph.

4. Dive deeper with the Zoom option

Much like the Morph transition, the Zoom tool adds awesome dynamics to your presentation if used properly. I tend to use the Slide Zoom option and think of it as a "learn more" button. This method allows me to have a slide that acts as an overview slide with multiple subjects. As slides advance, PowerPoint will zoom into the slide thumbnail as if zooming into a deeper layer of the slide.

To use the Zoom tool (not to be confused with the videoconferencing application), select a slide you would like to use to add slide thumbnails. Under the Insert ribbon, select Zoom and then choose Slide Zoom , as shown in the screenshot below.

On the ensuing prompt, select the slides you would like to embed a thumbnail of into the main slide and then arrange as desired.

If you are familiar with using Sections in PowerPoint, the Section Zoom option is a simple way to approach using this feature. This can really help a slideshow feel like a fluid learning experience.

5. Fine-tune your presentation with Presenter Coach

No one around to provide feedback on your presentation? The Presenter Coach is available in the online version of PowerPoint, provided you are using a compatible browser (i.e., Microsoft Edge version 15 or later, Chrome version 52 or later, or Firefox version 52 or later). Once you have access to the Presenter Coach, it can help you with everything from your delivery to your timing.

Each time you rehearse, you'll get a report with your summary information about your presentation and suggestions to help you improve for the next time. These can include things like "try to avoid using filler words," or "try adding more context to your slide rather than reading the screen."

To access the Presenter Coach, go to the Slide Show ribbon and select Rehearse with Coach , as shown in the screenshot below.

My advice is to practice your presentation once alone and then rehearse it again with the Presenter Coach turned on. After you read the Presenter Coach report and make adjustments to your presentation as needed, go through it one more time. Odds are you'll notice a great improvement over when you started.

As an additional tip, if you are like me and like to stand up and pace the room, use Presenter Coach on the Office mobile app, as shown in the screenshot below. This will give you the freedom to walk around and ensure the coach hears you loud and clear.

I hope these tips help you to get more out of PowerPoint. Remember to keep your slide decks precise and clean.

Byron Patrick, CPA/CITP, CGMA , is general manager at Botkeeper.

Submit a question Do you have technology questions for this column? Or, after reading an answer, do you have a better solution? Send them to [email protected] . We regret being unable to individually answer all submitted questions.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Due to a national paper shortage, we replaced the November printed copy of the magazine we normally mail with a digital issue that you can access here.

Where to find May’s flipbook issue

The Journal of Accountancy is now completely digital. 

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15 Best Presentation Software for 2021

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By Bilyana Nikolaeva

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3 years ago

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On average a presentation takes up to 20 minutes and experts say we make an impression within the first 30 seconds. That is why it’s important to “dress” our great product/idea with an equally exciting design. Most often, presentations are cooked up by non-designers, which creates a specific need – for powerful presentation software, which can help communicate a message beautifully, effectively, and to suit any user’s skill level. We hand-picked 15 of the best presentation software for 2021 , which will help you create presentations online, share them, while shining in your best light. In the meanwhile, check out some useful ideas tips to spice up your presentations .

A web-based presentation tool, which means you can access your presentations wherever you are, with an internet connection. It is known for its animations, cartoons, and infographics, which help the user to create more interactive presentations and explainer-style videos.

Example by Focusky

Best Features:  Very interactive; you can create a unique to your story by combining different “frames” (slides); create your own animations within the presentation Price:  Free, but heavily subscription-based Learning curve:  Very intuitive, nicely organized by categories, but it would require some time to learn the animation controls Available for:  Online Perfect for: Marketing and education

To summarize, this presentation tool is best for marketers and education, where the creator can get the most out of the cool animation and cartoons available. In the last years, there is an increased interest in Powtoon and RenderForest and we expect that more and more people will use them in 2021. No surprise – if you look at our article about Graphic Design Trends in 2022 , everything is moving towards animation, cool 3D-s, cartoons, and illustrations – and these are all things that this software can offer for your presentation.

Prezi is an online presentation software, which resembles a mind map. In comparison, PowerPoint offers a linear way of presenting, whereas Prezi allows you to better show relationships between different elements of your presentation, show details, zoom in and zoom out and show an overall view of your topic. Compared to PowerPoint is more interactive, but with fewer functionalities and a choice of templates.

Example by PreziBase

Best Features:  Interactive presentations and interesting transitions, zoom in/out details Price:  The very basic features are free, but most of the interesting ones are paid, starting from $3/month and reaching up to $59/month. They offer a free trial. Learning curve:  it requires learning and going through a lot of menus and functionalities, similar to PowerPoint Available for:  Online / Limited use for iOS and Android (only viewing, not creating and editing) Perfect for: teachers, businesses, more experienced designers, and specific presentations needs, but not recommended for newbies

Prezi is best in showing relationships between different parts of your presentations. There are some challenges in editing, and viewing across devices and its best features are paid for. We recommend it for quick, mind-map-like presentations without the need for ultra-special design.

3. RenderForest Presentation Maker

RenderForest is an online presentation tool, which is famous for its explainer style and whiteboard animations. The presentation templates often offer various motion/video backgrounds, which helps to grab your audience’s attention. Currently, the company is working on releasing its Graphic Design Software, which will allow users to create printables and beautiful designs for social media. This shows that RenderForest’s team knows the market well and does its best to cater to its needs!

Example by Renderforest

Best Features:  Video holders with text on shapes, cool transitions Price:  There is a free version, the paid ones start at $20.34 per user/month Learning curve:  Relatively easy to use, the simple interface helps the user Available for:  Online / iOS / Android Perfect for:  Education and business

Although not one of the cheapest solutions, it allows you to create engaging and interactive presentations with lots of cool animations. That makes RenderForest a great choice for more educational and marketing explainer-type videos/presentations.

4. Mentimeter

Mentimeter is a very interesting online presentation software. It allows your audience to engage with your presentation in real-time and you can create polls, ask questions, which are then displayed to your presentation. The answers from the audience remain anonymous so people are even more encouraged to participate.

Example by Mentimeter

Best Features:  Launch live, interactive polls, surveys, quizzes and create things like word clouds in real-time Price:  It has a free version, but the paid plans offer most of the attractive features – the basic plan costs $9.99 per user/month and the more advanced plan is $24.99 per user/month Learning curve:  Easy to use; might need to explain to a less tech-savvy audience how to connect to your presentation Available for:  Online / Android / iOS Perfect for:  Educators, speakers, business and competitions

An excellent choice for educators, speakers, and businesses who want to engage the audience in real-time and display the results immediately. Clean, simple designs, that help you focus on the content.

5. Libre Office Impress

Libre Office is free presentation software, an open-source alternative to PowerPoint. As you can expect from a free product, it offers only the main features of its “big brother”, but it’s a good solution for people used to Microsoft’s productivity suite. The interface is very similar to PowerPoint, which again makes it comfortable to use for a certain audience. Users who need collaboration on presentations, clean interface, and more creative design solutions should steer away from this free presentation software because it will simply not cover their needs.

Example by Theodoros Bousios

Best Features:  Free, compatible with older versions (Windows XP for example) Price:  Free Learning curve:  It will take some time to go through all the options and to get familiar with the interface; Available for:  Windows / macOS / Linux / Android / iOS. Perfect for:  people who want to use a free product and people with older operation systems

To summarize, Libre is free, compatible with older versions, it can cover your basic needs for a presentation, but the options are too many and available templates too little.

6. Zoho Show

Zoho Show is also an online presentation software, which has a very friendly user interface and great collaboration features. There are many functionalities, which help you create a beautiful design, but require some time and design knowledge to get it right. The premade templates are limited and this presentation software needs an internet connection to be able to edit and present.

Image by Zoho

Best Features:  Live broadcasting a presentation with live chat and commenting Price:  Zoho Show is free for personal use. For business users, Zoho Show is included in the Zoho Docs enterprise pricing packages – €5 or €8 per user/month Learning curve: Available for:  Online / Android / iOS Perfect for:  non-profits, start-ups, personal use, teachers

To summarize, Zoho offers great collaboration features, but you need a connection to edit and present. It is suitable for quick, non-pretentious presentations, where you need some kind of collaboration.

7. ClearSlide Presenter

ClearSlide is a sales engagement platform, including an online presentation tool. Another online tool – SlideRocket, was acquired by ClearSlide and one of the differences is that ClearSlide is more costly and targeted at larger businesses. It’s a great platform for very specific needs – collaborating between sales and marketing teams, to achieve the company’s goals. It’s clear even by the interface:

Image by ClearSlide

Best Features: Analytics for costumers’ engagement, video conferencing, screen sharing Price:  They offer a free trial and you can see more about the payment plans here. Learning curve:  Clear and simple interface, but it requires some time to get used to the tools Available for:  Online Perfect for: Sales/business, managers (for coaching); not suitable for newbies, teachers, students

To summarize, ClearSide is perfect for presenting sales pitch , graphics, collaborate in larger teams. It is somehow restrictive for a non-designer because the templates are specific.

8. Piktochart

Piktochart allows you to make infographics, presentations, and printables quickly. Primarily known for its easy customizable infographics, Piktochart also has simple presentation templates and the company is constantly trying to update its library.

Example by Piktochart Knowledge Base

Best Features:  Turning data-heavy content into simple visuals; nice transitions between slides Price:  There is a free version and a paid one, starting at $29 per user/month. They offer a free trial. Learning curve:  It requires time to get used to the options available and to navigate through Available for:  Online Perfect for:  Designers, teachers; it does not offer collaboration options, which might be needed by teams, students, etc.

Compared to other online presentation software is a bit costly and we could still ask a bit more from the presentation templates. We’d recommend it to someone who often uses infographics and wants to use a single platform to combine the infographics with a presentation. But why not check our free infographics as well?

Slides is online presentation software, initially aimed at developers and covering their presentation needs. Thus said, it does not offer offline editing, but you can present offline, after exporting your presentation.

Best Features:  It allows you to use your phone as a remote control; Live Present Mode allows you to control what your audience sees; drop in code, iframes, and SVGs with ease. Price:  Free, with paid plans starting at $7.00/month and $14-$18/month for pro and team packages. They offer a free trial. Learning curve:  friendly interface, but too many functions and options, which might overwhelm the average user and beginner Available for: Online Perfect for:  developers, designers, a little bit too specific for newbies

To summarize, it’s a very cool tool, giving you complete design freedom, but that is also why we do not recommend it to teachers, non-designers, or marketers. Developers and design gurus will love it.

Canva is a web-based solution that started with a mission – to make beautiful designed content available to everyone. The whole platform is organized so that a person without any prior design knowledge can easily create graphs, images, and presentations to impress. Although it is not the best tool for data visualization, it scores high in any other category. Needless to say, it has become a popular choice amongst non-designers.

Image by Iconfinder

Best Features:  Plenty of beautiful templates to choose from and Canva school has plenty of tutorials and tips for free. It offers more free functionalities compared to other competitors. Price:  Free, the offer different subscription plans, starting at $9.95 per user/month Learning curve:  Very easy to use, most of the actions can be performed by drag-and-drop Available for:  Online / iOS / Android Perfect for:  newbies, marketers (who need a unified look across all their social media), non-profits, and teachers

Canva is becoming one of the most popular tools amongst non-designers for creating beautiful unified content. You can create entire presentations, flyers, and other materials with a single drag and drop.

11. Slidebean

Slidebean is the go-to online presentation software for last-minute projects, that look original and professional. Slidebean offers clean and easy-to-use templates and keeps track of your audience’s engagement.

Source Slidebean

Best Features:  It allows you to arrange your content with the help of AI, which saves time creating a beautiful layout. You just pick a template, upload content, and let the AI offer you a nice layout. Premade animations, effects, and alignments are automatically applied to your content and create a cohesive look. Price:  Free, paid versions starting from $8/month Learning curve:  very easy to use since everything is made to fit the premade templates Available for:  Windows / Mac / Android / iOS Perfect for:  financial, academic, pitch, marketing, sales; everything quick with a clear structure

To summarize, if you are in a hurry, Slidebean will offer several layouts for your slides and speed up the process of creation. The platform targets primarily sales, marketing, and financial fields, and the available templates reflect that.

12. Google Slides

Google Slides is part of the G Suite business application. Its popularity has increased in the last years since it’s a web-based platform, allowing you to store, edit, and share your presentation, without the need of installing presentation software on your computer. All you need is a Google account and you are good to go.

Image by G Suite Updates blog

Best Features:  It’s free for personal use, and offers great paid features for business – for example, seamless collaboration and commenting on a presentation, converting other presentations to Google Slides. Some other great features are the wide variety of fonts available (GoogleFonts, not need installing), easy embedding, plus it’s super intuitive and easy to use! Price:   It’s free for individual use. For business use, the price starts at $5/user/month and plans of $10 and $25/user/month, for unlimited cloud storage and extra features Learning curve:  Simple interface, but it will require some time to pick up. Similar to PowerPoint, only a bit lighter. Available for:  Windows / Mac / Online Perfect for:  businesses, freelancers, who need a user-friendly app with elementary features; great for collaborating teams, not so perfect for complex designs and tools, required by big enterprises

Perfect for personal use, well synchronized across different devices, similar to PowerPoint. Maybe you are a teacher and you like GoogleSlides because it is free and easy to use? Well, we’ve gathered some awesome FREE GoogleSlides and PowerPoint templates , specially made for education needs.

If you need something along the lines of PowerPoint but need the option for collaboration – a paid plan for GoogleSlides is your go-to choice.

13. Keynote

Keynote is an Apple product, very similar to Google Slides. All you need to do is create an iCloud account (similar to a Google account) and start using Keynote from there. Running Keynote on Windows also requires an internet connection and a modern browser. The latest version can also import and export PowerPoint formats if needed. All this sends Keynote higher in the list regarding the accessibility and shareability of this presentation software.

Image by Envato tuts+

Best Features:  Simplicity of design, great drag and drop functions, polished transitions and animations, easy image editing/cropping; works great with multimedia; design templates with better aesthetic than an average slide deck; Price:  Free for macOS and iOS Learning curve:  Pretty easy to use for Mac users, a bit of learning curve for users, having experience with other software. Available for:  Mac / Windows / Online Perfect for:  businesses, marketers, people with not much of a design experience

Bottom line, if you are a Mac user, you love the sleek design and you are looking for cool aesthetics – Keynote is simple to use and free, why not use it?

14. Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark is a web and mobile-based media creation application, which helps you create social graphics, short videos, and web pages. What is immediately noticeable is the clean, crisp, simple, and modern designs, which focus you on the content. If you are looking for a funky, ornate design – Adobe Spark is not the right pick for you.

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Best Features:  Beautiful templates, user-friendly interface, step-by-step creation, you can add audio to your slides (narrating) Price:  There is a free version, the paid on starts at $9.79. The best templates, as with the competitors, are paid. They do not offer a free trial. Learning curve:  Easy to use Available for:  Online / iOS / Android Perfect for:  quick presentations, teachers, basic presentations without jamming them with too much cool stuff.

Adobe Spark eliminates the cluster of design options and leads you step-by-step in creating elegant, simple presentations. Ideal for basic presentations, not the best for sales and marketing.

15. PowerPoint

PowerPoint certainly is a “classic” – it’s has been the most popular tool for creating presentations so far. What first started as a component of the Microsoft Office suite, now has improved shareability and accessibility. It can be used on the web (as part of Office on the web), works with Android, and iOS, and there is a Mobile app, as well as presentation software for mac.

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Best Features:  Many people are familiar with the software, a wide variety of templates; improved accessibility across platforms; extensive tools and options Price: If you want to enjoy the full features of PowerPoint, you’ll need to subscribe to Microsoft 365 – they have payment plans for personal or business use. The price for personal use starts at $5.99/month or $59.99/year, and business plans start at $12.50 per user/month with an annual commitment. You can find more information here . The mobile applications are completely free to use, of course with some limitations. You can compare the available features across different platforms  here. Learning curve: Due to the variety of options and the complexity of the menus, it might take some time to master all of its features. Something that could take a lot of time is editing the text, arranging the visuals, and picking the right transitions – overall, is time-consuming. Still, the interface remained easy to navigate over time and if you trust your design sense, you can achieve satisfying results. Available for: Windows / Mac / Online Perfect for: business, medical, accounting and students; creating concise presentations; but not so suitable for teachers, educators, start-ups and marketers who want to create more interactive and story-based presentations.

To this date, PowerPoint is keeping the lead as the most popular tool for creating presentations. Some of the downsides are that sometimes it can be time-consuming to come up with a good design and PP doesn’t offer collaboration tools and compared to other platforms. But we have a solution for at least one of your problems – we’ve selected 31 Modern PowerPoint templates to set the right tone for your presentation. 

We made a quick summary for you…

Ok, not that we’ve looked at the 15 best presentation software for 2021, we decided to go one step further and compare them by price and popularity. Let’s have a look first at the new-comers:

As you can see, the leaders from the uprising platforms are Canva and Mentimeter, with relatively low prices and with huge success amongst users . Powtoon, Piktochart, and Renderforest are a bit costly , but they are popular since they offer a lot of animation and interactive elements. Hey, but maybe some of the other tools are right for you? We encourage you to go on their websites, contact their support team, and see what they have to offer.

Then, let’s see how the veterans are ranking:

It’s no surprise that PowerPoint and Google Slides are at the top – people are used to their products, have familiar interfaces, and offer a lot of functionalities at a good price. Although, for quick, unpretentious results, their competitors are a very attractive solution.

Final words

We can conclude that there are many useful tools to help you create beautiful presentations. Some of them are well-known and have been here for a while, while others are uprising… No matter the case, we notice a trend for presentation tools catering not only to the designers’ needs but also to the newbies, marketers, and teachers. That way, enabling everyone to create stunning presentations in no time and share them easily.

We hope this presentation software list shed some light on different options out there and that we helped you evaluate quickly what would work for your situation best.

You may also be interested in these related articles:

• 12 PowerPoint Presentation Tips To Dramatically Boost Your Efficiency
• 35 Free Google Slides Infographic Templates to Grab Now
• 23 Online Collaboration Tools for Your Remote Team

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Best Presentation Software for Accounting Students

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Whether you're giving a presentation in class or presenting data to colleagues at work, having a good presentation software is essential. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs. As an accounting student, you need a software that can help you convey complicated data in a clear and concise manner. In this article, we'll explore the best presentation software options for accounting students.

Understanding the Needs of Accounting Students

Before we dive into the best presentation software options for accounting students, it's important to understand what features are most important to this group of students. Accounting students rely heavily on data visualization and analysis to make sense of complex financial information. They also need collaboration features, as accounting is a team sport. Finally, ease of use and customization are essential for accounting students who need to present data quickly and accurately.

Accounting students often work with large amounts of data, making it crucial for them to have access to the right tools to visualize and analyze information. In addition to charts and graphs, students may also need to use infographics, heat maps, and other data visualization tools to help them present their findings in a clear and concise manner.

When it comes to collaboration, accounting students need software that allows them to work together seamlessly. This is particularly important when working on group projects, where multiple people need to contribute to a single presentation. Collaboration features such as real-time editing and commenting are essential for accounting students who need to work together to produce high-quality presentations.

Data Visualization and Analysis

When it comes to data visualization and analysis, Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides are the top contenders. Both offer a wide range of charts, graphs, and other data visualization tools that help accounting students bring their data to life. Additionally, Excel compatibility is a major plus for both.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular choice for accounting students because of its extensive range of chart and graph options. The software also allows for easy customization, making it easy for students to create presentations that meet their specific needs. Google Slides, on the other hand, is known for its ease of use and collaboration features. The software allows for easy data linking, which can be a lifesaver when working with large data sets.

Prezi and Keynote also provide some data visualization and analysis tools, but they are not as comprehensive as PowerPoint and Google Slides. Prezi is known for its unique presentation style, which involves zooming in and out of content to create a more engaging experience for the audience. Keynote is a popular choice for Mac users, offering a range of design features and animation options.

Collaboration Features

When it comes to collaboration, Google Slides is the clear winner. Multiple users can edit a single slide deck in real-time, making it easy for accounting students to work on group projects. Microsoft PowerPoint and Visme also offer collaboration features but they are not as robust as Google Slides.

Google Slides allows users to share their presentations with others, making it easy to collaborate with team members who may be working remotely. The software also allows for easy commenting and feedback, making it easy for accounting students to work together to produce high-quality presentations.

Ease of Use and Customization

One area where accounting students may struggle is creating visually appealing presentations. This is where Visme stands out. Visme provides easy access to pre-designed templates and customizations to help students create visually appealing presentations quickly. Prezi and Keynote also offer some customization tools, but they are not as user-friendly as Visme.

Visme is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive range of design features. The software allows users to choose from a range of pre-designed templates and customize them to meet their specific needs. Visme also offers a range of animation and infographic tools, making it easy for accounting students to create engaging and visually appealing presentations.

In conclusion, accounting students need presentation software that allows them to visualize and analyze data, collaborate with team members, and create visually appealing presentations quickly and easily. Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Visme, Prezi, and Keynote are all popular options that offer a range of features to meet the needs of accounting students.

Top Presentation Software Options for Accounting Students

As an accounting student, you know that presenting financial data can be a daunting task. However, with the right presentation software, you can create engaging and informative presentations that will impress your professors and colleagues. In this article, we will explore some of the top presentation software options for accounting students.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used presentation software on the market today. It offers a vast array of functionality, including extensive chart and graph options. PowerPoint's Excel integration is also a major plus for accounting students who need to work with financial data. However, the software can be challenging for new users and may take some time to master.

One of the great features of Microsoft PowerPoint is its ability to add animations and transitions to your presentation. This can help keep your audience engaged and interested in your content. Additionally, PowerPoint offers a range of templates to help you get started, making it a great choice for accounting students who may not have a lot of design experience.

Google Slides

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation software that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It offers real-time collaboration and has Google Drive integration. Google Slides also offers a range of built-in templates to help students create visually appealing presentations quickly and easily. However, the software may not be as powerful as PowerPoint when it comes to functionality.

One of the major benefits of Google Slides is its ability to collaborate in real-time with others. This can be especially helpful for accounting students who are working on group projects. Additionally, Google Slides is accessible from any device with internet access, making it a great choice for students who need to work on their presentations from multiple locations.

Prezi is known for its unique presentation style - it is essentially one large canvas that can be zoomed and panned to showcase various pieces of information. While Prezi may not have as many customization features as some of the other software options on this list, it can be a great choice for accounting students who want to add some visual flair to their presentations!

One of the benefits of Prezi is its ability to create non-linear presentations. This means that you can present your information in a more dynamic and engaging way, rather than simply going through each slide in order. Additionally, Prezi offers a range of templates and themes to help you get started, making it a great choice for students who may not have a lot of design experience.

Keynote is the presentation software found on Macs. It offers many of the same features as PowerPoint, including a range of chart and graph options. However, its online collaboration options may not be as robust as some of the other software options on this list. For accounting students who already use a Mac, Keynote can be a great choice for its ease of use and compatibility.

One of the benefits of Keynote is its ability to create stunning visual effects, such as 3D charts and animations. Additionally, Keynote offers a range of themes and templates to help you get started, making it a great choice for students who may not have a lot of design experience.

Finally, we have Visme. As previously mentioned, Visme offers a range of templates and customizations that make it easy for accounting students to create visually pleasing presentations. It also includes data visualization tools and real-time collaboration options. However, Visme may not be as powerful as some of the other software options on this list, especially when it comes to more complex charts and graphs.

One of the benefits of Visme is its ability to create interactive presentations. This means that you can include clickable links, videos, and animations to make your presentation more engaging. Additionally, Visme offers a range of analytics tools, so you can track how your audience is engaging with your content.

In conclusion, there are many great presentation software options available for accounting students. Each software has its own unique features and benefits, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences. Whether you're looking for powerful functionality or stunning visual effects, there's a presentation software out there that can help you create the perfect presentation.

Comparing the Best Presentation Software for Accounting Students

Pricing and plans.

When it comes to pricing, PowerPoint and Keynote are both one-time purchases. Google Slides and Visme both offer free versions, but they come with limited functionality. For more robust features, users will need to upgrade to a paid plan. Prezi offers both a free and paid version, but the paid plans can be quite expensive.

Templates and Design Options

When it comes to templates and design options, Visme is the clear winner. It offers a range of professionally designed templates that make it easy to create visually stunning presentations. Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides also have an extensive library of templates to choose from. Prezi and Keynote have a more limited range of templates, but still provide some design options.

Integration with Accounting Tools

Both Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides offer integration with Microsoft Excel, which can be a major plus for accounting students. Visme does not offer this functionality, but it may not be a deal-breaker depending on your needs. Prezi and Keynote do not offer integration with third-party tools.

Offline and Online Access

When it comes to offline and online access, all five software options listed here offer both options. However, Google Slides and Visme are cloud-based, meaning that users can access their presentations from any device with an internet connection. The other software options are only available on a single device unless saved in a cloud service such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

Choosing the right presentation software for accounting students can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By understanding the needs of accounting students and comparing the top software options on the market, you can make an informed decision. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your individual needs and preferences. So, take your time, experiment with the various options available, and find the software that works best for you!

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Best Accounting Software for Smart Financial Management in 2024

Whether you're looking to automate accounts payable, manage expenses, or implement an effective erp system, choosing the right software can make all the difference..

In the ever-evolving world of business, finding the right tools to streamline your financial management and analysis processes is crucial. Whether you're looking to automate accounts payable, manage expenses, or implement an effective ERP system, choosing the right software can make all the difference.

Keep reading as we delve into this article, shedding light on the best accounting software, their features, and how they could revolutionize your business's financial operations. It's time to take the guesswork out of choosing the best accounting software for your finance needs.

What Is Accounting Software?

Accounting software plays a vital role in the world of finance, especially if you're running a business. Let's dig in to understand what it entails. Accounting software is a specialized tool designed to manage and streamline a company's financial tasks. It automates complex processes such as expense tracking, invoice management, payroll, and tax calculations, simplifying your financial operations.

The Best Accounting Software of 2024

Continuing from our previous discussion, your strategy for addressing financial management and analysis processes becomes paramount in 2024. A comprehensive review by G2, the world's most trusted software marketplace, illuminated standouts in the accounting and finance software category.

Intuit QuickBooks

When dealing with business finances, you often require robust software—Intuit QuickBooks is one such software that caters to a range of accounting needs.

Best for Comprehensive Features

As a versatile platform, Intuit QuickBooks integrates seamlessly with numerous third-party applications, like PayPal and Square, providing easy connectivity to online banking systems. It offers a suite of features such as sales tracking, inventory management, and even a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. In addition, it possesses a good expense management feature and receipt capture capability—streamlining the preparation of expense reports. It's worth noting though, QuickBooks doesn't include payroll but gives the option to add Intuit payroll services or integrate with other third-party payroll applications.

Best for Advanced Features

With a range of plans, QuickBooks is extremely scalable and meets the needs of businesses of varying sizes. Higher-tier plans are bundled with advanced features such as built-in inventory, making it a viable option for businesses with complex requirements. However, bear in mind that while the software boasts of advanced features, mastery of these requires a learning curve that beginners might find steep.

Best for Inventory Management

Among QuickBooks' impressive features is the inventory management function. Not only can this help businesses maintain a proper stock count, but it can also aid in tracking the cost of goods sold—a key factor in comprehending a business's profitability. But it's not the only tool in the market. One should also explore other solutions like AccountEdge Pro or NetSuite, known for their inventory management capabilities, to find the fit that precisely matches their operation style and business needs.

How To Choose the Best Accounting Software

Selection of the best accounting software involves a deep assessment of your business needs, consideration for future growth, and careful analysis of available options. Here, we will explore some critical aspects you need to consider, including the essential features to help streamline your financial management and potential limitations or challenges of accounting software.

Essential Features

From financial report preparation, income and expense tracking to automated invoicing, accounting software packs multiple features. Below are some key features to consider in your selection:

• Financial Reports: Accounting software can deliver comprehensive financial reports. You'll find it easier to assess your financial health, track changes over time, and make informed decisions.
• Expense and Income Tracking: Accounting software can automate this tracking, reducing the chances for errors and streamlining the entire process.
• Invoicing: With customization features, you can create professional invoices, automate recurring ones, and even accept payments.
• Receipts: Digital receipt storage simplifies record-keeping. Many software offerings allow photo capturing of paper receipts for digital storage.
• Integrations: Enhanced functionality is often achievable through integration with other business applications. Whether it's CRM, e-commerce platforms, or third-party apps like Stripe or PayPal, the best software will support critical integrations.
• Inventory Management: Advanced plans usually include inventory management. This feature becomes invaluable if your business deals with significant levels of product inventory.

Limitations and Challenges

While accounting software provides many benefits, it's not without potential limitations and challenges. Be aware of these as you select your software:

• Cost: Accounting software, especially the more sophisticated versions, may be expensive. However, given the range of plans, you'll likely find a suitable one that fits your budget.
• Implementation Difficulty: Setting up and learning new software takes time and effort. Ensure you're prepared for this phase or consider options offering comprehensive onboarding support.
• Customization Constraints: While many packages tout customization, you may still experience limitations—these restrictions could impact how well the software fits with your unique business processes.
• Security Concerns: Since accounting software holds sensitive financial data, robust security features are a must. Be sure the chosen software has credible security protocols in place.
• Scalability: As businesses grow, software requirements may change. Your chosen software should be able to scale with your business.
• Manual Data Entry: Despite automation, manual data entry may still be required in some aspects, potentially drawing resources and time.

How Much Does Accounting Software Cost?

When it comes to expenses for accounting software, you might find a wide range. Simpler platforms tracking only expenses and invoicing may offer what you require. Yet, for others, advanced reporting, inventory management, and ecommerce might be essential. Your specific needs identify your financial commitment to accounting software.

Free versions exist, providing minimal functionalities. However, for comprehensive features, you might pay up to $350 per month. Your final invoice depends upon the software's complexity and how many employees require access. Avoiding unrecoverable errors, like in QuickBooks, is vital; therefore, investing in reliable software such as the Quickbooks tool hub could be beneficial.

This investment can provide you with a variety of tools including invoicing and inventory management. Notably, integration with third-party apps plays an essential part in modern businesses. Thus, you might want to opt for software that easily integrates with other applications you regularly use in your business.

Identifying how much to earmark for accounting software requires understanding your business's specific needs. While some may get by with free versions, others might need to invest a significant amount in more advanced options. Considering the add-ons, number of users, and the complexity level will help determine the most suitable software for you, and subsequently, its cost.

Intuit QuickBooks Online: Best for Small Businesses

Intuit's QuickBooks Online stands out among the sea of accounting software due to its vast array of solutions catered to business accounting needs. Offering varying price tiers, the site is your first stop to get real-time updates on the latest deals Intuit provides.

The notable utility of QuickBooks Online becomes evident in the myriad of features it presents, even on the lowest plan. Among these are mileage tracking and receipt capture, contributing to your business's expense management. The software also includes a free guided setup, simplifying the initiation process, and the option to link a sales channel.

A noteworthy feature that enhances QuickBooks' usability is the QuickBooks Tool, a reliable utility for addressing errors. It’s your go-to source when encountering an error such as QuickBooks unrecoverable error . This functionality improves QuickBooks Online's overall stability, thus helping avoid potential accounting mistakes.

Connecting with support becomes easy due to the direct line of contact via the online support portal. This feature ensures that you get the assistance you require promptly, enhancing your user experience.

Choosing the right accounting software can be a game-changer for your business. It's QuickBooks Online that truly stands out, particularly for small businesses. Remember, detailed financial reporting and smart reconciliation tools aren't just nice-to-haves, they're essentials. So when you're deciding on the best accounting software for your needs, consider what will truly help you stay organized, compliant, and efficient. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.

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6 Best Financial Reporting Software for 2024

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• Best overall financial reporting software: QuickBooks Online
• Most comprehensive reporting: Sage Intacct
• Best for large enterprises: NetSuite
• Best for small businesses: Xero
• Best add-on tool: Spotlight Reporting
• Best automations: Zoho Books

To make evidence-based decisions for your business, you need financial reporting software that makes it possible to import and analyze your financial data and accounting statistics . However, the financial reports of a small business are very different from that of a large enterprise, which can make it tough to find the best financial reporting software for your needs.

To help you narrow down your search, we’ve rounded up the best financial reporting software for businesses of all sizes.

Top accounting software comparison

Besides price, there are many other features to consider when choosing a financial reporting software platform. This chart summarizes some of the main things to look for:

QuickBooks Online: Best overall financial reporting software

QuickBooks is known for its accounting and bookkeeping software, but it actually offers a very robust library of financial reports as well. The entry-level Simple Start plan already comes with dozens of reports, and the Plus plan provides access to more than 60 different reports to choose from. QuickBooks also comes with plenty of other advanced features, including time tracking and inventory management, depending on what plan you decide on.

QuickBooks Online offers four different pricing tiers to choose from:

• QuickBooks Simple Start: $30 per month with access for one user.
• QuickBooks Essentials: $60 per month with access for up to three users.
• QuickBooks Plus: $90 per month with access for up to five users.
• QuickBooks Advanced: $200 per month with access for up to 25 users.

First-time QuickBooks customers can choose to explore QuickBooks without committing to a plan by signing up for a 30-day free trial. You can also skip the free trial in favor of locking in 50% off for your first three months — but you can’t choose both.

• Automatic sales tax calculations are included.
• Bookkeeping automation cuts down on tedious manual work.
• Share your books and reports with your accountant easily.
• Automatically track mileage for reimbursement using the mobile app.
• More than 60 financial reports to choose from.
• Unlimited invoices and bills on each plan.
• Mobile receipt capture on each plan.
• Multiple pricing plans offer scalability as your business grows.
• More expensive than some competitors.
• Each pricing plan limits the number of users.
• Customer support is not well reviewed.

For more information, read our full QuickBooks Online review .

Sage Intacct: Most comprehensive reporting

Sage Intacct offers more than 150 pre-built financial reports to choose from, plus the ability to generate custom reports. This comprehensive financial reporting software tracks both financial and operational data and even allows you to combine data from multiple entities so you can look at the high-level numbers. You can also slice and dice data according to 10 pre-built dimensions or define your own to get granular and enhance your financial reports .

Sage Intacct does not publicly disclose its pricing information. You’ll have to contact their sales team for a custom quote.

• Create reports, graphs, dashboards and visualizations.
• Multi-entity analytics for complex businesses.
• Intelligent general ledger uses AI to scan for anomalies.
• Add user-dimensions for greater reporting detail.
• Designed for large, multi-entity businesses.
• AI and machine learning features help to automate work.
• Choose from more than 150 pre-built accounting and financial reports.
• Drag-and-drop dashboard creator.
• Pricing is not transparent.
• Learning curve can be steep due to the number of features.
• Too complicated for small businesses.

NetSuite: Best for large enterprises

NetSuite is a full business software stack solution that includes robust options for financial reporting. Since NetSuite was specifically designed for large enterprises, it includes reporting features that support their needs, such as combining financial, operational and statistical data into one report. You can also create custom versions of the same report to present to different audience, so you can highlight different aspects of the same data set.

NetSuite does not publicly disclose its pricing information. You’ll have to contact their sales team for a custom quote.

• Create multiple versions of custom reports to show to different audiences.
• Combine financial, operational and statistical data into one report.
• Identify trends as they happen with real-time analytics.
• Gain meaningful insights with industry standard KPIs.
• Comprehensive, complex financial reporting.
• Designed with enterprise needs in mind.
• Many different integrations available.
• Consolidate multiple types of data in one report.
• Higher learning curve.
• Interface can feel outdated compared to competitors.

For more information, read the full NetSuite review .

Xero: Best for small businesses

If you’re a small-business owner looking for simple financial reporting software, Xero is a great option to consider. This accounting software offers a limited selection of default reporting templates, such as profit and loss statements, assets and liabilities, and budget variances.

You can also create your own custom reporting templates and save them for later to make it easy to generate future reports. Xero also provides a good selection of other accounting features, such as invoice creation and expense management .

Xero accounting also three different pricing tiers to choose from:

• Xero Early: $15 per month.
• Xero Growing: $42 per month.
• Xero Established: $78 per month.

Xero also offers a 30-day free trial so that you can test drive the software before committing to a paid plan.

• Expense and mileage tracking available.
• Inventory management available on all pricing plans.
• Create quotes, send invoices and enter bills.
• Sync your bank accounts for automatic tracking and reconciliation.
• Unlimited users on all accounts.
• Affordable pricing plans.
• Low learning curve for beginners.
• Easy to navigate interface.
• Not as many financial reports as some other competitors.
• Must upgrade to Established plan to get many features.
• Invoices and bills are limited on the Early plan.

For more information, read the full Xero review .

Spotlight Reporting: Best add-on tool

If you already have the rest of your business software stack figured out and just need a financial reporting solution, then check out Spotlight Reporting. This advanced reporting software allows you to report on multiple organizations at once, even allowing you to generate consolidated forecast reports. Its robust capabilities mean it offers a higher learning curve, but the trade-off may be worth it if other financial reporting software isn’t complex enough for your needs.

Spotlight Reporting offers three pricing plans targeted towards business owners and Chief Financial Officers:

• Business: $35 per month for one organization, with additional organizations at $25 per month.
• Business 20: $295 per month for up to 20 organizations, with additional organizations at $12.50 per month.
• Franchise + Not For Profit: $295 per month for up to 20 organizations and a head office, and an upgrade is $5 per month per organization.

Spotlight also offers four pricing plans geared towards accountants, bookkeepers and advisors looking for a single license they can use for multiple organizations:

• Basic: $295 per month for up to 20 organizations.
• Super VCFO: $495 per month for up to 50 organizations.
• Super VCFO 150: $995 per month for up to 150 organizations.
• Enterprise: Contact sales team for a custom quote.

A free trial is available for all pricing plans.

• Easily import data from multiple sources.
• Drag-and-drop interface makes it possible to add and reorder pages.
• Quickly generate multi-page reports to show to clients or management.
• Can email the final report, download a PDF, present it online or publish to the web.
• Advanced reporting features
• More than 100 pre-built charts to choose from.
• Choose from industry-specific templates.
• Can consolidate multiple organizations in one report.
• Reporting only; no extra functionality.
• Higher learning curve due to the more advanced features.
• May be too complex for small businesses.

Zoho Books: Best automations

Zoho Books currently offers 24 accounting and financial reports to choose from, making it a worthy contender for your financial reporting software pick. The reports can be scheduled to automatically sent at specific time intervals and you can also configure role-based access to the reports. Zoho Books also offers four more ways to automate work — workflows, webhooks, email alerts and custom functions — to cut down on repetitive manual tasks.

Zoho Books offers six different pricing plans, which are billed per organization instead of per user. The base pricing plans are:

• Free: $0 for businesses with less than $50K USD per calendar year.
• Standard: $15 per organization per month billed annually, or $20 per organization per month billed monthly.
• Professional: $40 per organization per month billed annually, or $50 per organization per month billed monthly.
• Premium: $60 per organization per month billed annually, or $70 per organization per month billed monthly. A 14-day free trial is available for this plan.
• Elite: $120 per organization per month billed annually, or $150 per organization per month billed monthly.
• Ultimate: $240 per organization per month billed annually, or $275 per organization per month billed monthly.

Zoho Books also offers the following add-ons:

• Additional users: $2.50 per user per month billed annually, or $3 per user per month billed monthly.
• Advanced autoscans: $8 per month for 50 scans per month billed annually, or $10 per more billed monthly.

• Double-entry accounting software.
• Generate quotes, invoices and sales orders.
• Simple expense tracking included.
• Client port login makes it easy for them to manage payments.
• Six pricing plans offer excellent scalability.
• Multiple automations to choose from.
• More affordable than many competitors.
• Forever free plan available.
• Requires an outside integration for automatic sales tax calculations.
• Payroll add-on only available in 21 states currently (though access is expanding).
• Must set up free invoicing and inventory add-ons to get full functionality.

For more information, read our full Zoho Books review .

Key features of financial reporting software

Pre-built reports.

The best financial reporting software should already come with a library stocked full of common financial reports, such as profit and loss statements. These pre-built templates make it possible to generate a new report in just a few minutes.

Custom templates

In addition to the pre-built templates, the financial reporting software should also let you create and save your own reporting templates. You should be able to build your own from scratch as well as edit and save existing templates.

Data import

Financial reporting software should integrate with all your data sources, and most come with pre-built connectors to do just that. The software should also give you the option to manually upload data via an Excel sheet or another file format.

Report export

Once the final report is ready, you should be able to share it through multiple avenues. Some of the most common are downloading a PDF and emailing it to colleagues, but some financial reporting software also allows you to publish to the web or present it online.

Forecasting

In addition to generating reports for past data, the best financial reporting software will also be able to create forecasts for the future based on data-driven trends. This helps your business to make evidence-based decisions grounded in data.

How do I choose the best financial reporting software for my business?

To choose the best financial reporting software for your business, consider your needs as well as your budget. A small business will likely be satisfied with a handful of basic reporting templates at a lower price, while enterprises will be willing to pay more for advanced features like multi-entity reporting.

Make a list of your must-have features and prioritize those during your search. If you have a strict budget, you might have to be willing to compromise on some of them to keep costs low. Ask yourself if the lower costs are worth skipping the missing features or having to do time-consuming manual workarounds.

During your search for the best financial reporting software, take advantage of free trials, free accounts and free software demos. For the demo calls, come prepared with specific questions and requirements so you can confirm the software will integrate with the rest of your business software stack.

Methodology

To choose the best ecommerce accounting software, we consulted product documentation, demo videos and user reviews. We evaluated products based on pricing, customer service, user interface design and scalability. We also considered features such as reporting templates, data import, forecasting and integrations.

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A simple guide to slideshows

Learn what slideshows are, how they’re used, common features, and how to choose a slideshow maker. Get started creating your own slideshows today with Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is a slideshow?

What are slideshows used for.

Meetings and presentations

Slideshows are most frequently used to create professional presentations for business meetings, conferences, and educational purposes. A  slideshow program  allows people to organize content, include visuals, and enhance the overall impact of their message.

Visual storytelling

Because slideshows sequentially display engaging visuals, text, and other multimedia, they’re a strong way to tell a cohesive and compelling narrative from start to finish.

Content creation

Slideshows give content creators a versatile and efficient way to organize information, increase visual appeal, and communicate effectively across different contexts.

Photo and video sharing

Slideshow makers are popular for creating photo and video presentations, especially for events like weddings, birthdays, and vacations. People can add transitions, music, and captions to fully bring the photo-sharing experience to life.

Training and tutorials

Slideshows help break down complex information into digestible chunks with the support of visuals and text, making them ideal for instructional materials, tutorials, and training modules.

Collaborative projects

In collaborative settings, teams use slideshow makers to create joint presentations or reports. The best slideshow makers enable multiple contributors to add their content simultaneously, which helps ensure a cohesive and unified presentation.

What are the features of a slideshow creator?

Slideshow creators vary in what they offer but ideally include:

A library of templates, themes, and images.

If you’re not a designer, this feature is huge. Simply browse the options available in your slideshow maker library to create a polished, professionally designed presentation in a flash. Be sure to confirm that access to the library is free and the images are approved for unrestricted usage.

Audio and video compatibility.

Keeping your audience engaged is key to any successful slideshow presentation. To mix things up, being able to add a multimedia element—like a song or a video clip—will help people stay focused and interested.

Presentation tools.

Handy presenter tools go a long way toward making your slideshow experience seamless. For example, straightforward slide navigation, slideshow keyboard shortcuts, pen and highlighter markup, and adjustable resolution settings.

AI assistance.

With AI revolutionizing content creation, using a slideshow maker that has AI capabilities will enhance efficiency and innovation. Depending on the slideshow app you have, creating an entire slideshow could be as easy as a quick prompt, like “Make a presentation about the benefits of sustainable fashion that has 15 slides.” 

Animations.

Like audio and video, animations give your audience a bit of sensory surprise that can capture their attention. 

Slide transitions.

Add some pizzazz to how you change slides with visual effects like fading, wiping, and zooming. 

Screen recording.

Being able to record your screen in a slideshow maker is helpful when giving an instructional talk, software demonstration, and other types of presentations that require visual aids.

A place to put speaker notes.

Having somewhere to jot a few notes down will help remind you of everything you want to cover as you present.

Different viewing options.

Looking at different views—for example, a presenter view, an audience view, and a high-level view of slide order—is useful when organizing your slideshow’s structure and understanding and preparing for what you’ll see versus what your audience will see.

How do I choose the right slideshow maker?

When choosing a slideshow maker, keep the following questions in mind to make sure you get the most for your money:

Is it scalable with your business?

As your organization grows and changes, it’s important to have flexible technology that adapts to new needs. Having certain features—such as cloud-based collaboration, compatibility with other work apps, and a mobile app—will help ensure that no matter how your business changes, the slideshow maker is up to the task. This also applies to pricing plans. Consider choosing a slideshow app that has a subscription plan (so the software is always up to date), volume-based pricing, or enterprise-level pricing.

Does it have a variety of visual elements?

It’s pretty much a given that a slideshow maker will allow you to add images, but think outside the JPEG box—what other visual elements are available to you? Features like preset themes, free templates, SmartArt, a built-in clip art library, shape tools, background styles, 3D models, and charts and graphs provide diverse ways to switch up how a slideshow looks without relying solely on adding your own images.

Is it easy to use?

You could have the most feature-rich slideshow maker on the market, but if it isn’t easy to use, you probably won’t use it. Or you will, but you’ll be frustrated, waste valuable time, and have difficulty convincing people you work with to use it. As you research slideshow makers, look for videos that show the apps’ interfaces in action to help you decide if they’re intuitive and will have a shorter learning curve.

Does it have collaboration and sharing options?

Because making a slideshow is often a collaborative effort, it’s worthwhile to find a slideshow creator that was designed with this in mind. Pick one that offers editing controls and commenting, as well as the ability to work on a slideshow at the same time as someone else. Having a cloud-based slideshow maker will be key here. You’ll not only save yourself time but also keep things simple by not having multiple versions of the same slideshow.

Explore more about slideshows and slideshow makers

Copilot in powerpoint.

Transform how you make slideshows with the versatile AI in Copilot for PowerPoint.

Improve your presenting skills

Practice presenting with an AI speaker coach to get feedback on body language, repetition, and pronunciation.  

Six slideshow tips and tricks

Read up on tips about how to finesse your slideshows to give your most confident presentations.

Get free PowerPoint templates

Show your style with PowerPoint templates in more than 40 categories.

How to make a branded slideshow

Create a cohesive visual identity for your brand that goes beyond adding a logo to every slide.

Try a photo album template

Relive your favorite memories with photo album templates designed for all your unforgettable moments.

The benefits of visual aids in slideshows

Discover why using visual aids helps communicate ideas and messaging more effectively.

Slideshows that reach all learners

Explore the different ways that people learn and how to include all learning styles in your presentations.

Frequently asked questions

How do i make a good slideshow.

Making a good slideshow in PowerPoint is easy:

Plan what you’d like to include in your slideshow.

Launch your slideshow creator.

Choose the theme you’d like.

Import media.

Add text, music, and transitions.

Record, save, and share your slideshow.

Learn more about how to make a slideshow .

How do I add music to a slideshow?

To add music to a slideshow, first make sure that you’re using a slideshow maker with music compatibility. In PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add music.

Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu.

Click on the Audio button and select Audio on My PC.

Browse to the folder on your computer where the audio file is located and select it.

Click on the Insert button.

How do I record a slideshow?

The steps for recording a slideshow in PowerPoint will vary depending on the version that you own. Get help with slideshow recording based on your version. 

What types of files can I add to a slideshow?

File compatibility in PowerPoint includes the use of JPEGs, PNGs, TIFFs, GIFs, PDFs, MP3s, WAVs, MIDIs, MPEG-4 Videos, and Windows Media Videos.  

How do I share my slideshow?

To share your PowerPoint slideshow, follow these steps:

Open your presentation and click Share at the top right of your screen.

If your presentation isn't already stored on OneDrive, select where to save your presentation to the cloud.

Choose a permission level, like Anyone with a link , or maybe just people in your company. You can also control if people can edit or just view the doc. 

Select Apply.

Enter names and a message.

Select Send.

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• Best Invoicing Software For Self-Employed

Invoicing software for self-employed people can make things much easier. You already have so much to juggle, and the last thing you need is more time spent sending and keeping track of countless invoices. What you do need is a solution that streamlines the process, allowing you to spend more time focusing on your business.

This is exactly what the best invoicing software for self-employed people accomplishes. They make it easy to send and track invoices, run reports on outstanding ones, and even monitor your income. However, need must find the right solution to fit your needs and budget.

Table of Contents

• How It Works

QuickBooks Self-Employed  »

Automatic tax estimates

Automatically categorizes expenses

Easy to use

Integration with TurboTax

Basic version missing some features, like inventory management and payroll

Can be more expensive than competitors

No double-entry bookkeeping

QuickBooks Self-Employed was designed specifically for self-employed people, with a substantial number of features that make it the best overall choice for anyone self-employed.

Tax tracking and expense categorization are front and center in QuickBooks Self-Employed. The software makes it quick and easy for self-employed people to see an estimate of how much they’re expected to owe when the next quarterly payment comes due. If tax and expense tracking is your focus, the streamlined interface you get with QuickBooks Self-Employed is the best choice.

The software also has a screen to see a running list of transactions, and it will automatically put them in the category it thinks is the right one. You can always change it later if it’s incorrect. Other tabs you can view include invoices and payments, mileage, and reports for things like profit and loss, receipts, and tag totals.

However, the basic plan is missing a few crucial features such as inventory management and payroll. You can add these features, but they require a more expensive plan, which could make QuickBooks Self-Employed more expensive than the competition.

QuickBooks Online  »

Custom reports and chart of accounts

Numerous integrations available

Wide range of features

Lets you grant access to your accountant

Large number of features can make it overly complex

Learning curve can be steep

Support may be limited, especially for cheaper plans

QuickBooks Online may be a better choice if you want a more comprehensive solution and have a full team of employees (or expect to in the future). It has a wider feature set than QuickBooks Self-Employed and includes functionality like invoicing, expense tracking, project management, and tax tools. You can tailor each report to fit your needs and set up a custom chart of accounts.

QuickBooks Online integrates with over 750 popular business apps, so making it work with any other applications you might use shouldn't be much trouble. If you work with an accountant, you can give them access to your QuickBooks data.

Perhaps the biggest issue with QuickBooks Online is that its many features can also make learning difficult. It does a lot, but it can be overwhelming for those who just need basic accounting.

Wave Accounting  »

Basic features are completely free

No limits on number of invoices or expense transactions

Basic financial reports

Some features missing

Fees for online invoice payments

Limited support

Some freelancers may operate on a shoestring budget, especially those just starting. Wave is a great choice for those individuals since basic accounting features are free. For instance, it includes invoicing, expense tracking, and even double-entry bookkeeping at no cost. It doesn’t put arbitrary limitations on how many invoices or expense transactions you can have, either. The software includes basic financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow, all for free.

Another benefit of Wave Accounting is that its user interface is simple and easy to use. You probably won’t need to spend hours learning it – set aside a few minutes getting acclimated, and you’ll be ready to bill.

Free software typically has some limitations, and Wave Accounting is no exception. For instance, the free plan doesn’t include payroll or in-depth project management tools. Wave is ideal for self-employed people, but if your business ends up growing, it may outgrow Wave.

Strong automation features

Large number of integrations

Multi-currency support

Inventory management

Lowest tier limits you to 20 invoices and 5 bills

Payroll is an add-on, which costs extra

Steep learning curve

For small business owners, Xero is a capable piece of accounting software that is well worth a look. It has three plans available, suitable for small businesses with room to grow. Its lowest tier isn’t free but starts at only $6 per month.

Xero has a strong feature set that is ideal for small businesses as it includes inventory management, project tracking, and multi-currency support. However, these features may not be available in lower tiers. Xero also supports automatic invoice reminders and bank reconciliation, plus project tracking to help you stay organized.

While Xero’s lowest-tier plan is affordable, it does cut certain corners. For example, you’re limited to 20 invoices and five bills per month. As is often the case with advanced software, there can be a steep learning curve with Xero, requiring time to master all its features.

FreshBooks  »

Includes time tracking for your entire team

Add detailed time entry notes

Combines time tracking and invoicing capabilities

Includes expense management and project collaboration tools

Payroll is an add-on for an additional fee

Cheapest limits your invoices

Can be expensive

FreshBooks is a great choice if you’re big on time tracking but want to do it within your accounting software. It’s easy to use and features flexible time tracking, letting you track time manually with start/stop timers or enter time logs afterward. Plus, it integrates invoicing, so you can easily bill clients for the time you’ve already tracked. You can also create time-tracking reports.

Although this is a great choice for time tracking, its plans don’t include payroll unless you pay an additional fee of $40 plus $6 per person. In addition, the cheapest plan lets you send unlimited invoices, but you can only send them to five clients. These caveats mean FreshBooks can quickly get expensive compared to the competition.

Zoho Invoice  »

Strong automation for invoicing

Invoicing for up to 3,000 customers

Several plans available for scalability

Integrates well with other Zoho products

Can be overly complex

Limited integration

Higher plans may be unaffordable for smaller businesses

Zoho Invoice is a great choice if you don’t want to spend hours invoicing clients. The software allows you to create custom workflows for processes like status changes, approvals, and automated invoice reminders. It also has various triggers to automate tasks such as paid invoices and overdue invoices.

Zoho’s pricing model clearly shows that this product is meant to scale. The lowest tier lets you invoice up to 100 customers, and the highest tier increases the number to 3,000. All plans include a 14-day free trial to try before buying.

One of Zoho Invoice’s biggest downsides is that it can be complex. This quickly becomes apparent when setting up automations, which can be complicated even if they save you time in the long run. Zoho Invoice doesn’t have an app store like some competitors, limiting its integration options. However, it integrates Zoho CRM and various payment processors.

Its higher plans may be expensive, so if you need features from those plans, it may be best to look elsewhere.

What Is Invoicing Software for the Self-Employed and How Does It Work?

Invoicing software is a tool designed to create, send, and track invoices. These tools allow self-employed people, freelancers, and businesses to get paid quickly and efficiently. Invoicing software also allows people and businesses to receive payment for goods and services, often without the need to deal with paper invoices, and allows people to get paid in just a few steps:

1. Create and send: Create and fill in the invoice with your information and the client’s information, plus information about the products/services and the total price. Then, send the invoice to the client which you can often do directly from within the invoicing software.

2. Payment processing: Invoicing software typically interfaces with payment processes like PayPal or Stripe, allowing clients to pay the invoice quickly and easily online.

3. Tracking and reminders: If necessary, you can send reminders for any invoices that are past due. Some invoicing software does this automatically.

4. Reporting: Invoicing software often generates reports on income, outstanding balances, and other metrics. These help you understand your earnings and your business's performance.

Each invoicing software suite has different strengths and weaknesses. Some are better for specific purposes or business sizes. However, they often support add-ons or integrations to expand their functionality when necessary.

How Much Does Invoicing Software for the Self-Employed Cost?

The price of invoicing software for self-employed people can vary significantly. Each company has its own pricing structure and may offer add-ons like payroll that cost extra.

Invoicing software often has pricing tiers with different features that may be limited to higher pricing tiers. These might include advanced reporting, project management, and inventory tracking. Pricing tiers roughly fall into these ranges:

• Free: Basic invoicing solutions offering only core functionality. Wave Accounting and Zoho Invoice offer free plans that fall into this category.
• $6-$25 per month: This is one of the most popular price tiers and generally includes basic to intermediate functionality. These plans may offer a wide range of features, such as client management and customization options.
• $30-$50+: This includes more advanced features, such as inventory management, project tracking, and advanced reporting. It’s ideal for businesses that are growing quickly or have specialized needs.

The temptation for self-employed people is often to go with the cheapest option available, and this approach can work well in some cases. However, it’s often better to pick the software that works best for your business rather than whatever is cheapest.

Features To Consider When Buying Invoicing Software for the Self-Employed

As a self-employed person, you may need many features and it’s generally best to prioritize the features that streamline your workflow and make invoicing easier. Examples of features you might prioritize include:

Invoice tracking: Invoicing software should allow you to track your invoices, often including real-time updates on statuses. For example, this might include sent, viewed, or paid.

• Reporting: The best invoicing software for self-employed includes basic reporting capabilities, allowing you to see information on income, unpaid balances, and other metrics.
• Time tracking: Some invoicing software integrates time tracking with invoicing, allowing you to easily bill for hourly work.
• Mobile apps: These let you access invoices, capture expenses, and track payments on the go.
• Tax tools: These might include automated tax calculations or features to simplify tax prep.

Remember that the best features for any invoicing software depend on your needs. Your needs might be very different from those of other businesses.

How To Choose the Best Invoicing Software for the Self-Employed

Choosing the best invoicing software for self-employed people requires careful evaluation of your business and what you need from the software. What struggles do you currently face and how can the software help address them?

Here are some steps to help you choose the best option:

1. Define your needs: Do you have basic invoicing needs, or do you need more advanced features like recurring invoices, international transactions, or product-based billing? These will determine whether you need a higher tier or if a lower or even free tier will suffice.

2. Research products: Read reviews of the most popular and highest-rated invoicing software for self-employed and see if it has the features you need. Determine whether you can start with a free plan or if you will need paid features from the beginning.

3. Sign up for free trials: Many of the best invoicing software options have free trials that let you try the product for free before signing up. If possible, try the service before paying so you don’t commit to one that won’t be a good fit.

4. Other considerations: What support options are available, and do they meet your needs? Does the software have the integrations you want? Will it allow your business to scale over time, or will you eventually need to switch to another software suite?

Remember that the best invoicing software for self-employed people should make their lives easier and not more complicated. When weighing your options, take your time, take advantage of free trials, and don’t be afraid to try something else if the product you are testing doesn’t seem like a good fit.

Alternatives To Invoicing Software for Self-Employed People

You may not want to use invoicing software for a few reasons, such as not having the budget for it or preferring to keep your invoices offline. Here are some possible alternatives, keeping in mind they can have limitations:

• Excel spreadsheet: Most clients can access Excel spreadsheets, and you can do almost anything you want with them, including any kind of customization you prefer. However, they may lack certain automation features, payment integration, and robust reporting.
• Word document: You can create a simple invoice using a template. This, too, offers some flexibility in the formatting and layout. However, it will lack the same features missing with Excel.
• PayPal (or other payment processors): PayPal and other payment processors have built-in invoicing tools that let you get paid. However, they will lack certain customization features that are available elsewhere. You may also have to track your invoice statuses in a separate system.

Generally, these alternatives can make sense when you have a limited budget or are just starting a new business. But as your business grows along with your budget, it likely makes sense to transition to true invoicing software.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the best invoicing software for self-employed people can help you streamline workflows, save time, and make your business more efficient. This software makes it easy to send and track invoices, run basic reports, and monitor income. Some let you do more advanced things like payroll, project management, and inventory management, but these require paid add-ons or more expensive plans. You will need to find the best software to fit your needs and budget, keeping in mind that your business may grow over time.

How We Chose the Best Invoicing Software for the Self-Employed

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we considered the most popular invoicing software for self-employed people and selected the options with the best combination of usability, features, price, and customizability. Many invoicing software suites are available for self-employed people, and they often have different feature sets for different purposes. This is one of the reasons we carefully analyzed usability and pricing, as the importance of the other features may vary. Ultimately, the best choice depends on what works best for your organization.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Our contributors and editors have years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing products. Bob Haegele, the author of this piece, has been freelancing for over five years and knows the pain of filling out invoices every month. He has worked as a freelancer for USA Today, TIME, Forbes Advisor, and Yahoo Finance. For Bob, it’s important to find invoicing software that simplifies the process, makes it easy to stay organized, and doesn’t charge extensive fees.

There are many options for tracking, such as adding all the relevant information for each project (client name, project description, rate, etc.) to a spreadsheet. Options like QuickBooks Self-Employed or Wave Account may have invoice templates you can use for your project. You can also add the relevant information to a time-tracking app, especially if you work on an hourly basis.

Generally, the most popular invoicing software offers a capable mobile app to help you do your invoicing from anywhere. However, certain features could be missing in some cases, so double-check that the features you need are available on mobile.

Security can vary from one software suite to another, but they are generally quite secure. Most use methods like data encryption, secure payment gateways, and 2FA to keep your data safe and secure.

You can typically accept online payments with invoicing software, but it must integrate with a payment gateway to accept payments this way. For instance, if it integrates with providers like PayPal, Stripe, or Square, you can likely accept online payments.

About Our Team

Bob haegele.

Contributor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.