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Turn the LIGHTS on Finance with Lighthouse ERP!

Published on :October 14th, 2021

Publisher : Rohit M.

In today's fast-paced and dynamic business environment, managing finances effectively is crucial for the success of any organization. Enterprises are constantly seeking ways to streamline their financial processes, reduce costs, and gain better insights into their financial data. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have proven to be effective in managing finance operations.  

ERP for finance management is a software solution that provides organizations with a comprehensive and integrated financial management system. It is a modular system that integrates multiple finance-related processes, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and cash management. Lighthouse ERP for finance management is designed to automate financial processes, improve data accuracy and timeliness, and provide real-time financial insights. 

The finance module is typically the first component activated in an ERP system, which is why firms switch from standalone accounting software to ERP. Linking the finances of diverse corporate departments helps maintain accounting accuracy, which is critical in satisfying increasingly demanding financial rules and reporting obligations. It also offers the consolidated financial data required to assess and enhance corporate performance.

The finance module is also the feature that most distinguishes ERP from other integrated business applications, such as human capital management (HCM) suites, as well as its predecessor, material requirements planning, which primarily addresses the raw materials and components required in manufacturing. It is the one truly necessary Financial module for ERP systems, and it is frequently the first to be deployed when a company switches ERP systems or grows to additional locations.

Benefits of ERP for Finance Management 

1. Streamlined Financial Processes :

ERP for finance management enables organizations to streamline financial processes, reducing manual tasks and increasing efficiency. It automates tasks such as invoice processing, payment processing, and financial reporting. 

2. Improved Data Accuracy :

ERP for finance management integrates financial processes, reducing the likelihood of errors that can arise from manual data entry. This ensures data accuracy and consistency across the organization.

3. Real-time Financial Insights

ERP software for financial services provides real-time visibility into financial data, enabling organizations to make informed decisions. This can help organizations to manage their cash flow better, identify trends, and make strategic financial decisions.

4. Cost Reduction :

ERP for finance management reduces the cost of financial management by reducing manual tasks, minimizing errors, and optimizing financial processes. This leads to cost savings that can be reinvested in other areas of the business.

5. Regulatory Compliance :

Finance & Accounting ERP software helps organizations to comply with financial regulations. This ensures that the organization is following the required accounting and financial reporting standards. 

ERP for Finance Management Modules 

ERP for finance management typically includes the following modules:

1. General Ledger :

This module manages all financial transactions and provides a centralized view of financial data.  

General Ledger (GL) module is at the heart of an ERP system's financial package. GL provides a central pool of accounting data required for financial reporting (including statutory reports) and other purposes by integrating with logistics, business operations, and accounting sub-ledgers of other finance modules such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management. One of the most essential aspects of GL is the real-time updating of sub-ledgers, which eliminates the need for time-consuming reconciliation. GL also delivers data summaries for planning, control, and reporting.

2. Accounts Payable :

This module manages the payment of bills, including vendor invoices, expense reports, and employee reimbursements.

Accounts payable and receivable modules are two crucial execution modules in an ERP system's finance segment. The Accounts Payable (AP) module manages financial relationships with vendors who provide input to the company in the form of goods and services. Being an integral part of General Ledger, both of these modules maintain personal accounts, either of debtors or creditors, as well as different sub-ledgers such as control accounts, currency fluctuation accounts, and so on (GL).

3. Accounts Receivable

This module manages the collection of customer payments, including invoicing, payment processing, and credit management.

The financial relationship with consumers who use the organization's output is handled by the Accounts receivable (AR) module. Being an integral part of General Ledger, both of these modules maintain personal accounts, either of debtors or creditors, as well as different sub-ledgers such as control accounts, currency fluctuation accounts, and so on (GL).

4. Cash Management :

This module manages the organization's cash flow, including forecasting, budgeting, and cash positioning.

The cash management module offers information on the organization's cash flow by processing and evaluating all cash and bank transactions resulting from supplier invoice payments, receipts from sales invoices, stand-alone payments, and unallocated payments/receipts.

The cash management module also allows for the analysis of financial activities over a specified time period. It gives information on the sources and usage of funds to maintain liquidity in order to meet the organization's payment obligations.

5. Fixed Assets :

This module tracks the organisation's fixed assets, including depreciation and disposal.  

The Fixed Assets ERP software module manages individual and composite asset registration, classification, tagging, retirement, and disposal. Management tasks include financial, tax, and lease asset accounting, as well as repair/service schedules. The system is fully connected with the general ledger and supports several depreciation techniques.

6. Financial Reporting

This module generates financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Analytics enable real-time access to financial data, which is critical for financial management. Transparency enables you to make data-driven predictions and judgments about your company's finances.

On the most basic level, reporting and analytics will show you where your revenue is coming from. But, the dashboard can represent your sales, predicted sales, expenses, and other financial components. Normally, the dashboard is customisable, allowing you to select the categories you want to see. See real-time data in graph formats to swiftly grasp your organization's financial condition.

Conclusion

Lighthouse ERP for finance management is an essential tool for managing financial operations effectively. It provides organizations with a comprehensive and integrated financial management system that streamlines financial processes, improves data accuracy, and provides real-time financial insights. Organizations can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and focus on their core business by automating financial processes. If you are looking to improve your financial management, an ERP for finance management solution is a great place to start.