How to choose accounting software for a micro-business

"Best accounting software" lists are usually useless.

They're written for businesses that already have processes and staff.

Micro-business reality is different:
you are the process.

The mini-story: buying software to fix a workflow that doesn't exist

You buy software hoping it will "make you organised".
It doesn't.
It just gives you a new place to be disorganised.

Software doesn't replace a workflow.
It amplifies the workflow you already have.

The decision criteria that matter for micro-business

You want software that:
- starts from your bank (reality)
- makes reconciliation easy
- makes invoicing easy
- makes BAS reporting boring
- doesn't require you to become an accountant

Forget the long feature lists.
Pick what reduces friction.

The hidden question

Do you want a system that:
- assumes you'll hire a bookkeeper, or
- assumes you want to run it yourself without stress?

If you're DIY, choose a system built for DIY.

How Self Managed helps

Self Managed is built for the "I want it done properly, but I don't want a second job" user:
- transaction categorisation
- invoice tracking
- payroll/STP-ready outputs (if relevant)
- BAS and tax reports driven by reconciled activity

Pair with:
- Tax minimisation
- Cost minimisation