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How to Choose the Right Accounting Software (Singapore SMEs, 2025)

Writer: Agnes Lee
Agnes Lee
Sep 1, 2025
2 min read

Keep it simple. Answer three questions and you’ll land on the right fit—fast.


1) Do you need inventory?

  • No inventory (services/consulting/project work):

    • Must‑have: clean invoicing, GST reports (IRAS‑ready), audit trail, period lock, user permissions.

    • Good fit: ABSS/MYOB (on‑prem, strong control and audit hygiene). SQL Account is also a more flexible choice.

  • Yes, inventory (trading/wholesale/e‑commerce):

    • Must‑have: items & variants, multi‑warehouse, pricing tiers/discounts, approvals, stock valuation reports.

    • Good fit: SQL Account (robust stock controls, sales approvals, item analytics). ABSS suits lighter stock needs.


2) Prefer cloud or own your system?

  • Cloud (browser‑based SaaS):

    • Pros: log in anywhere, auto‑updates, lots of plug‑ins.

    • Watch‑outs: ongoing subscription, internet dependency, vendor holds the live database (export policies vary).

  • On‑prem + Remote Desktop solutions (ABSS/MYOB, SQL Account): — SQL Account also supports optional cloud hosting (separate from Remote Desktop/RDP; hosting fees apply)

    • Pros: you own the licence and database, LAN speed for heavy posting, works in‑office even during ISP outage, predictable long‑term cost.

    • Watch‑outs: basic server hygiene needed (backups, Windows updates, user access rules).


Remote Desktop vs SQL Cloud Hosting (Quick Compare)

  • What it is

    • Remote Desktop solutions (RDP): You access your on‑prem Windows server app over an encrypted session; the database stays on your server.

    • SQL Cloud Hosting: Your accounting app + database run on a data centre; monthly hosting fees apply (separate from licences).

  • Ownership

    • RDP: You own the licence and database; you control backups and retention; office users can work on LAN even if internet is down.

    • SQL Cloud Hosting: You still own your licences and database file; the provider hosts the server and typically handles uptime/backups per plan.

  • Performance

    • RDP: LAN‑speed in office; remote users stream only screen/keyboard/mouse (low bandwidth).

    • SQL Cloud Hosting: All users connect over the internet; speed depends on data‑centre bandwidth and your ISP.

  • Cost

    • RDP: One‑off software ( Upgrade version will have additional charges)

    • SQL Cloud Hosting: Monthly hosting fees

  • Best for

    • RDP: Mixed office/remote teams who want offline resilience and local speed.

    • SQL Cloud Hosting: Multi‑location teams without a server room who want quick scale‑up.

Note: SQL Account supports partner‑managed cloud hosting. This is separate from Remote Desktop/RDP.

3) Ownership: licence & database

  • On‑prem (ABSS/MYOB, SQL Account): you own the licence and control the database file. You decide backup, retention, and where it’s stored (local/NAS/cloud).

  • SQL Cloud Hosting = you still own the licence + database; if you stop the hosting service, you can take back the database and install on your own PC/server.


Quick Shortlist

  • Service, no inventory, want ownership & controls: ABSS/MYOB on‑prem (+ Remote Desktop solutions for WFH).

  • Trading with serious stock: SQL Account on‑prem (+ Remote Desktop solutions if multi‑location).

  • Don't want to do your own hosting : cloud option.


Final checks (don’t skip)

  • GST: IRAS‑ready detail/summary, correct tax codes.

  • InvoiceNow/Peppol: if e‑invoicing matters to you/clients.

  • User rights: approvals, hide costs/margins, audit trail.

  • Integrations: e‑commerce/POS/CRM; Excel or ODBC/API if needed.


Need a 10‑minute fit check?

Tell me: (1) inventory? (2) cloud or ownership? (3) users & locations.



 
 
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