What is a Check Writing Software?

You’ve probably suffered the woes of walking to the bank with a check, only to realize that the bill won’t be paid today, because you put the wrong information on the check. Well, that problem, and many others that can cause check writing to be an arduous task, have withered away through the advancement of check writing softwares.

How Can a Personal Check Writing Software Help You?

Individuals and businesses can free up time, energy and human resources for higher productivity and more sustainable savings, as check writing software automates the detail-oriented check writing process and reduces accounting errors and mistakes.

Whether it’s personal check writing software, or payroll check writing software, it can be a real advantage in multiple cases

• For those who wish to personalize their personal checks, with the use of background images and photos
• Individuals who make a lot of weekly or monthly check payments
• More effective for businesses paying expenses with multiple accounts
• When having forgotten to order new checks before current ones run out and the subsequent delays
• For people who move often and have to frequently order new checks
• If changing banks, information can be changed within the program rather than ordering new checks
• Signatures can be stored to save time, and avoid chasing signatory
• Integrate with other finance software to automatically record payments
• Increased security by controlled access to printer and computer, reducing risk of employee fraud
• If experiencing errors in printing, still possible to keep to check sequence by reprinting same checks

Key Features of Check Writing Softwares

With the check writing software industry bringing on newer software every month or so, the buyer needs to be well-informed about the ideal one. Quite a lot of times there might be a good software, but learning it might be a mammoth task, thereby reducing productivity. Hence, some of the key features to look for are

Bookkeeping Functionality

• Multiple Bank Accounts: Write and print checks from different bank accounts
• Compatible with Accounting Programs: The program will allow imported or copied and pasted information from other accounting, bookkeeping and spreadsheet programs
• Checkbook Register: Record of written and printed checks plus the current account balance
• Search/Find Specific Checks: Locate specific saved checks through check number, name or code
• Recurring Payment Scheduling: The program will setup specific weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly recurring expenses so you don’t miss a payment
• Transfer Funds between Accounts: Record the transfer of funds between different bank accounts to keep account balances up-to-date
• Frequent Payee Accounts: Store contact information about people or businesses who receive frequent or recurring payments
• Database Backup: Frequently backup all file information to prevent loss of data
• Embedded Calculator: A virtual calculator within the program to use for quick adding and subtracting

Check Design & Program Utility

• Check Design Templates: Predetermined design formats that include font style and size and location of check field
• Customize Font Styles: The program allows the user to change the font style in the check fields
• Add Logos or Graphics: Add personal or company logos, clipart or a background design to a check
• MICR Line: Magnetic ink character recognition, a critical feature. The numbers located along the bottom of a check that include bank routing/transit, account, and check numbers. Financial institutions require checks printed with the MICR line
• Printable Signature: The signature of a bank account holder can be scanned and added to a check for printing
• Pre-written Checks: Checks can be written and printed with all the check information fields filled out forehand
• Write Checks with Data from Other Programs: Information from other accounting, bookkeeping or spreadsheet programs can be imported or copied and pasted to the check writing program
• Password Protected: Program can be setup or is already setup with a required password to protect user information

Business Operations Support

• Invoices/Sales Receipts: Create and/or print invoices and sales receipts for customers
• Credit Card Transactions: Record of credit card information and transactions
• Supplier Accounts: Individual supplier information that may that may not be part of the frequent payee account section
• Estimates: Create and/or print work and cost estimates for customers

Technical Support & Assistance

• Tutorials/Wizard: Step by step instructions guide you through certain aspects of the software.
• Interactive Support: A number you can call to get help with installation or program errors/problem, or an email to address concerns in real-time
• User Manual: A manual included with the product or linked to the internet that instructs the user on various features and functions

Leading Recommendations for Check Writing Softwares

Some of the most trusted and reliable names in the check writing software vertical are:

1. Quicken
2. QuickBooks
3. VersaCheck
4. InstiCheck
5. Just Checking