One financial drawback that can affect family businesses occurs when there are too many hands in the books and too many people making different, sometimes conflicting, financial decisions. Software tools for financial management, payroll, and accounting can help create a standardized system so that too many people are not doing things their own way and so that everyone remains accountable.

Online check printing and mailing is one of those services that many small and family-run businesses use to issue payments, record payment data automatically, run financial reports, and track expenses. Checkeeper offers complete online check printing and mailing services that can work on their own or be linked to compatible accounting and payroll software for an optimally-streamlined system.

Checkeeper can assist family businesses with check-printing software that:

Allows multiple users simultaneously

When more than one person is authorized to issue payments and handle financial records, affordable tools that allow multiple authorized users are essential. Checkeeper allows account holders (super users) to authorize additional people to access the check-printing account and issue check payments on the business's behalf. Super users can limit the permissions to some users, specifying whether they are authorized to print and/or mail checks and whether their transactions require final approval before being issued. This helps create a more standardized system everyone can follow, and it enables multiple people to share the financial responsibilities without confusion, error, or overlap.

Records data automatically so that payments can be categorized and tracked

Online check printing puts an end to manual recording of check transactions—a process prone to error, omission, duplication, and misrecorded or misspelled entries. Manual data entry takes up time, and small mistakes complicate expense tracking, which necessitates even more time for searching for entries and reconciling accounts. Checkeeper offers an automated smart check registry that records and stores check data for you. The registry is searchable according to any check field or custom date range, so every user can pull up a check or list of checks quickly. Using QuickBooks Online or a compatible accounting software? Checkeeper works with several widely-used accounting and payroll services to keep expenses categorized automatically and data synced in multiple places at once.

Offers remote access for those partners working from home or traveling

Multiple people may not always be on site or available to handle the payment process. Remote tools for financial management help keep everything streamlined and everyone on the same page, regardless of where they work, live, or travel. Checkeeper can be accessed by multiple users from their individual devices; data is stored automatically so that all users can see when payments have been issued, and super users can oversee account activity to monitor, restrict, or expand access, as well as give approval for those payments that require additional authorization.

Adds accountability to financial management

When more than one person is involved in issuing payments, transparency and accountability are more important than ever. Super users can set the permission settings so that additional users are limited to only designated functions; they can also add an approval requirement if they want checks to get final authorization before being printed and mailed. Reports run in Checkeeper list all the payment data as well as the authorized user responsible for initiating the transaction and the date/time of check creation. This adds an extra layer of accountability and security to the check-printing process.

Gives a modernized update to a well-established and trusted payment method

Checks are time-tested and widely trusted, and they are used by virtually every business at some point. Online check printing and mailing offers a modern update to old-fashioned checkbooks and registries, allowing users to add it to other digital and online payment methods. Checks offer a convenience, expedience, and security that other payment methods often lack, and checks are likely to be familiar and accessible to family members of multiple generations.

Online check printing and mailing is a good alternative that can help bridge the gap until a disruption is resolved. But not all services are equal, and some may not have the features needed immediately. Consider five things to avoid when selecting a temporary check-printing fix in an emergency situation.

Avoid a check-printing service that:

1. Limits the number of checks you can print

Some services that offer free or low-cost check-printing may have a limit—a very low one—for the number of checks you can print before incurring higher fees. When you are in an urgent situation, you may not have the time or foresight to assess exactly how many checks you’ll need or for how long. Checkeeper does not place minimums or limits on the number of checks you can print, either during the free trial or afterward. Print only the checks you need, only for as long as needed, and never worry about hidden fees, overage charges, convenience fees, or pricing tiers based on heavy usage. One subscription unlocks unlimited check printing all month to use for bills, debt payments, and employee paychecks.

2. Moves your money out of your bank account

Most small business owners want to stay in control of their funds and maintain oversight into financial moves in between accounts. It is advisable to stay wary of services that want to handle your money or move it into their own holding account in order to enable check-printing services. Checkeeper does not touch users’ money; Checkeeper offers versatile check templates for creating, printing, and mailing checks, with bank account and routing numbers printed exactly as they are input.

3. Doesn't work with your payroll and accounting software

Make the most of your accounting and payroll software by adding a custom check option. Checkeeper integrates with many widely-preferred accounting, payment, and payroll software services, including QuickBooks Online, Gusto, Square, FreshBooks, and more, and it can seamlessly add check data to those applications for more updated records and reduced data entry. Check services that are not compatible with software you are using may add extra work to your bookkeeping process and leave room for data entry errors and transaction omissions.

4. Doesn't offer mailing services

Online check printing adds a convenience and portability to the payment process for busy and traveling professionals. Using a service that offers complete check mailing options is important, as well, as users never know when they may not have the time or supplies needed to issue an immediate check payment. Checkeeper offers complete check printing and mailing outsourcing so that users can order checks printed and mailed for them from anywhere, with no supplies, check stock, or printer access needed, and all data is automatically recorded and stored for later review and verification. Checkeeper offers four priority delivery methods so that users can select the one that best suits their timing and tracking preferences, and orders placed before 4pm EST can be in the mail by the end of the standard business day.

5. Makes you pay upfront or commit all year

Instead of committing to a software purchase that may or may not meet your payment needs, look for check services that let you try them out before deciding. Remember that some services that may offer “free checks” may have limits on usage or features. Checkeeper offers a free 14-day trial that unlocks all the features of online check printing, and there are no limits on the number of checks you print during or after your trial. Use the free trial to sample Checkeeper’s many bonus features and to train on more sophisticated options. A simple monthly subscription follows that can be canceled anytime.

Checkeeper has been consistently recommended as the go-to replacement in many types of payment emergencies. Checkeeper offers what business owners need when they need to adopt something quickly.

Optimizing the features of the online check registry can make the Checkeeper account work better and smarter for busy professionals.  Some tips to get the most out of the Checkeeper smart check registry so that it works optimally for you:

Search for a specific payment

When you need to track down a specific payment, regardless of how long ago it was issued, Checkeeper makes the process easy and instant—and much more efficient than searching through paper check registry booklets. Search the smart check registry according to any check field you can recall or according to a custom date range to narrow down the records quickly to locate your payment.

Run reports

The Checkeeper smart check registry assists with bookkeeping and accounting by offering powerful reporting features that streamline expense tracking and tax preparation. Search your registry to locate payments instantly according to any check field, date, or custom date range. Generate a comprehensive spreadsheet containing all check payment information for the entire year or length of account history when you need an overview of all expenses, vendors, and amounts paid by check.

Oversee each user’s access

Unlike traditional paper checks and registries, which have to be with you in order to be used, online check printing offers portability and remote access so that more than one person can issue check payments without having to carry any specific supplies with them. Automatic recording in the smart check registry means that every authorized user can have access to updated information and that no check entry is inadvertently omitted, duplicated, or misrecorded. Checkeeper reports list all the important data from checks, as well as the authorized user who initiated each transaction, so that everyone who manages payments stays accountable and the payment process maintains its integrity and transparency.

Access remotely

One key benefit of online tools for financial management is that they are portable and go where you do. Access your Checkeeper smart check registry from any connected device you work or travel with, and when you authorize additional users, they too can access the account from anywhere, anytime. Automatic updates and check entries mean that everyone is on the same page with real-time account updates, regardless if they are working from home, from the office, or from the road.

Export

Instead of printing and saving pages and pages of check payments in order to keep accessible and up-to-date records, take advantage of Checkeeper’s exporting option that puts a comprehensive spreadsheet of your entire check-spending history in your hands (or files) on demand. Print or download a file containing all the details of your check spending for the entire year or for the entire history of your Checkeeper account, and print it for your records or email it to share with an accountant or bookkeeper. The ‘export’ option is located inside your Checkeeper account, within the Reports tab.

Checkeeper’s smart check registry reduces most of the time and work that used to be required for keeping updated check records.

The Checkeeper smart check registry eliminates errors and improves efficiency because it:

· Takes no time or effort to keep it updated

· Travels where you do

· Is searchable by any check field

· Gives real-time updates to remote users

· Integrates with software for automatic expense categorizing and payroll

Check out your Checkeeper account ‘Add-ons’ tab to see which accounting and payroll software you can link Checkeeper to in order to get a custom check option, payroll features, bill-to-check conversion, and automatic expense categorizing.

Eight ways Checkeeper’s software is user-friendly for any level of experience or usage:

Fast adoption

Checkeeper offers ease and convenience when a check is needed instantly. Checkeeper does not require complicated downloads, specialty printers, dedicated servers, IT expertise, or specialty supplies or toners to print on-demand, custom business checks. Account setup is simple and straightforward, and it leads new users to an intuitive dashboard with streamlined navigation options. Simply register for an account, choose a check template, add bank and business information, and print your checks. Save uploaded images, logos, and signatures, if desired, and change or add check elements when it suits you. Checkeeper is free to try, so there is no risk in setting up an account for immediate usage.

Support and training

The 'Pro Tips' page inside the Checkeeper account (via the Help tab) gives most new users all the training they ever need to exercise the many Checkeeper features offered. Short, autorepeat videos walk new and experienced users through printing and mailing options, and they serve as helpful reminders for those features used only occasionally.

Online videos and blog articles

Outside of your account, Checkeeper offers helpful instructions and tutorials for using more sophisticated features. Check out the Checkeeper Youtube channel to see more detailed video instructions for how to print checks, create templates, and link Checkeeper to other software services, such as QuickBooks Online, Gusto, Square, and many more. Blog articles are available, as well, to update users on new features and direct them to some Checkeeper features with which they may be unfamiliar.

Automatic recording

Reduce the hassle, the time, and the errors of maintaining a check registry with an online software that records it all for you. Checkeeper accounts come with access to a smart check registry that automatically records and stores the details of each check created, including its date and time of creation, so that records are always updated and instantly available. Manual data entry often results in transactions that are omitted, duplicated, misdated, or misrecorded, making them difficult to locate later when expenses need to be tracked. Checkeeper’s smart check registry never forgets to record a check created or any of its important check fields.

IT and security handled for you

The benefit of online accounts through Checkeeper is that there is nothing special to download, share, troubleshoot, update, or maintain. All the account security and site maintenance are handled for users so that even the most tech-challenged person can start issuing checks immediately with Checkeeper software.

Software integrations

Those business owners who use QuickBooks Online for accounting or Gusto for payroll appreciate that Checkeeper links to those programs to offer a custom check option. All data is stored and updated for users automatically, creating a streamlined bookkeeping process. Checkeeper also integrates with Square, FreshBooks, Xero, Patriot Payroll, and other software services used for accounting, payments, and payroll.

Mailing outsourcing

Online check printing offers on-demand check printing options that are convenient, easily navigated, fast, and universally available; for those users who want something even faster and easier, Checkeeper offers complete check printing and mailing outsourcing options that do all the work for you. Order your checks printed by Checkeeper, select the priority delivery method of your choice, and check orders placed before 4pm EST can be in the mail that same business day with all data recorded for you.

Free trial, cancel anytime

Checkeeper offers all new users a 14-day free trial that unlocks all the benefits of online check printing and gives new subscribers time to train on all Checkeeper features. If the software does not suit your needs, no money is spent or wasted; continue your subscription for as long or short a term as needed, with no long-term contract required. Nothing is more user-friendly than a free trial that trains new users on features and requires no risk or commitment.

Can loyalty programs still work?

Customer data can provide businesses useful insights into their customers' preferences and behaviors, but only when the metrics are optimized to create an experience, discount, or reward that is seen as unique and valuable to the customers. The benefits to creating and managing a meaningful loyalty program include:

· Increased revenue

· Strengthened customer relationships

· Boosted retention rates

· Opportunities for customer feedback that can help guide changes and improvements

Many consumers have become wary of loyalty programs and the lack of true value they ultimately offer. Some of the common complaints people have about these programs highlight why many consumers remain reluctant to join a new loyalty program. Loyalty programs are more likely to fail when they are:

Complicated

Keeping the sign-up as simple and straightforward is key to getting someone—likely someone who is already very busy—to finish the process. While gaining data about personal preferences is important for creating customized and personal experiences, requiring too much personal information upfront is likely to turn customers off because it takes too much time and may be seen as too intrusive. Acquiring information about lifestyle and shopping choices may be an ongoing process and not something to inundate a new customer with right from the start.

Substandard

Small or paltry rewards make consumers feel unappreciated. A point system that accumulates slowly and takes seemingly forever to reach its goal frustrates customers, disincentivizing participation and offering weak competition to the other loyalty programs out there that promise more immediate benefits. Many consumers look for giveaways and useful bonuses, like free shipping, which offer immediate usage.

Impersonal

Programs whose rewards are tailored to the lifestyle, preferences, shopping patterns, and budget of the individual are more likely to have success than those whose rewards are seen as generic and impersonal. Tying additional rewards to referrals and customer surveys can appeal to more people, help expand a customer base, and can also provide avenues for gathering feedback and insight into distinct and unique things customers are looking for.

While some familiar loyalty programs rely on a point-based system for rewarding purchases, this model has been shown to have limitations. As more and more people shop from their phones, consume online content, and post personalized messages on social media platforms, many modern consumers have come to expect a personalized experience when engaging with a favorite brand. Therefore, more unique or personalized reward options are more likely to feel valuable to customers over a generic, one-size-fits-all type of reward. Loyalty programs that begin accumulating value from the moment of sign-up and that ask customers over time about personal preferences can help generate useful data for the company regarding its customers and what rewards are likely to seem valuable and meaningful to them. Since most consumers belong to more programs than they actually participate in, it is important to go beyond the initial point of sign-up and follow up with an incentive for the shopper to complete a purchase or redeem a reward. When the goal of a loyalty program is to actually affect changes in customer behavior—turning a repeat customer into a loyal one—it should encourage the consumer to go beyond a single reward redemption, while using the collected data to keep up with the patterns, preferences, and lifestyle changes that guide consumer choices.

For those times a paper check is the secure, convenient, or preferred payment method, online check printing makes the process smoother and more accurate for small business owners. Some tips for getting payments out with greater speed and efficiency:

Convert bills into check payments automatically

Checkeeper offers an intuitive platform that can import and share data from other services for more efficient financial management that saves time. Linking Checkeeper with a Xero or Odoo account allows data from unpaid invoices held in those accounts to be imported into Checkeeper and turned directly into check payments for on-demand printing and mailing. Bills due to the same vendor can be consolidated into a single check with an attached invoice table, reducing paperwork, saving time, and streamlining the payment process for both payor and recipient.

Set user permissions for better delegation and workflow management

Online, cloud-based tools can give multiple users real-time access to financial accounts and allow authorized users to access and share information whenever and wherever it is convenient for them. Enter names and email addresses of additional users you wish to authorize, and Checkeeper will email each a secure link to complete account setup. Limit user permission settings to only designated features, and expand or revoke them at any time. Add an approval process, if needed, so that you can authorize important payments before they are printed and mailed. Remote, online access also adds efficiency to processing payments for those businesses that work with a remote bookkeeper who can access the Checkeeper account from anywhere, and keep all data automatically recorded and stored for later review.

Use priority delivery for check mailing

Users who don’t have the time or the supplies needed to print and mail their own checks turn to Checkeeper to take over the work. Checkeeper prints customized business check and has them out for delivery according to the priority delivery speed chosen, with the tracking option selected. Checkeeper also offers high-volume check mailing services that can get a large order of hundreds or thousands of checks out faster and more efficiently than most offices can do it. A call or email gets you started for large orders of checks for rebates, refunds, reimbursements, settlement payments, or other mass payment type.

Link Checkeeper to accounting software

Checkeeper integrates with many of the online accounting, payment, and payroll software used by small and mid-sized businesses. Using a Checkeeper add-on allows users to sync check data with other programs, such as QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks, to keep data updated immediately and expenses properly categorized automatically. Checkeeper can also be added to a payroll service to offer a custom check option for those employees paid by paper check.

Cut down on time but not accuracy

Financial management tasks, such as bill paying, expense tracking, and tax preparation, are well-known dreads and drains on business owners’ time. Online check printing offers a time-saving and more efficient way to get paper checks issued and mailed; Checkeeper’s smart check registry automates the recording and storing of check data, cutting the time needed for both issuing checks and for recording their details. It also makes locating a specific payment instant: search the online registry according to any payment field or date range to pull up an instant list of checks that match to narrow down and sort through. Checkeeper features give users more of their time back.

Checkeeper offers:

A custom paycheck option to supplement other payroll methods

Direct deposit is popular with many workers, but it is not always practical for every type of employee. Checkeeper offers a custom check option for those employees paid by paper check, including freelance and remote workers for whom payment amounts and paycheck timing may vary from the other bi-weekly payees. Employers can opt to have an entire batch of paychecks printed and mailed back to them in one economical bundle for onsite disbursement, when that is the more convenient option, as well as having individual checks delivered to employee homes or offices.

Integration with Gusto, Square, and Patriot Payroll

Companies that use a payroll software service appreciate how straightforward it is to add a custom check option with Checkeeper. Checkeeper works with Gusto, Square, and more, as well as QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, and other online software for accounting to give business owners more choices while taking advantage of automatic data syncing and updating across multiple channels at once.

Automatic payroll recording

Automated recording options improve accuracy and save time for busy owners and payroll managers. Checkeeper automatically records and stores the details of each check transaction in a searchable, online check registry so that there is nothing to manually record, write down, or remember. Print or download a complete list of all paychecks issued according to any custom time frame when you need a record for reference, verification, or tax preparation.

Pay stubs and attachment options

Checkeeper does not just print checks, but it can also print the attachments and documentations that need to accompany checks. Checkeeper can print checks on any check stock and layout so that the necessary pay stub and other attachments can appear in the appropriate format.

Mailing services

If many paychecks are needed for onsite distribution, Checkeeper’s check printing and mailing services can take care of the entire payroll. Order your paychecks to be printed by Checkeeper, and all of them can be generated and sent back to the office in one bundle via Next-Day Air (or other delivery method of choice) for onsite distribution. Checks can be sent in one batch back to you, or they can be mailed individually to employee homes or offices. Paychecks can include pay stubs and other enclosures, if needed.

Scalability

Business owners who employ only a small staff often opt to handle their own payroll, but as the company grows and more hires are added, some outside assistance and expertise can make the process faster and more efficient. Checkeeper allows unlimited check printing all month so that users can be assured that they will always have the amount of checks they need, even if that amount continues to grow. There are no limits, overage charges, or pricing tiers to worry about when the business starts to expand.

Emergency fix for payments and paychecks

When a business’s usual payroll service provider has experienced an unexpected emergency or a temporary shutdown, Checkeeper has been the go-to replacement for keeping payroll going. Even when a financial institution or payroll product is disrupted, employees still need to be paid, and Checkeeper can step in to keep payroll running for as long or as short a term as needed.

1. Paper checks

Instead of ordering boxes of blank, ready-to-use checks that may or may not be used up before pertinent information changes, opt for checks that can be printed on demand. Checkeeper offers unlimited check printing all month for one fixed price, so there are no surprise fees, overage charges, convenience fees, limits, or usage tiers. Print a few checks one month and dozens the next, and change bank and contact information whenever needed, all without ever having to order all new checks and discard unused boxes.

2. Check mailing

Traditional bank-issued checks cannot offer mailing services that get your checks issued and mailed for you. Checkeeper offers print-on-demand check software for busy professionals, business owners, and bookkeepers so that they can print checks whenever and wherever needed, but Checkeeper also offers the option to do it all for you. Traveling professionals, as well as those who have imminently due payments, all appreciate the convenience and cost-savings of Checkeeper check printing and mailing outsourcing options. Order your checks printed for you before 4pm EST on a standard business day, select your priority delivery method, and Checkeeper does the rest, including provide all the supplies. Checkeeper mailing services take the cost out of buying, stocking, and storing supplies, and for little more than the price of a stamp and envelope, Checkeeper can have custom business checks out within the day.

3. IT costs

There are no added fees for security or software maintenance with Checkeeper, and no need for pricey IT hires or in-house expertise. Checkeeper is cloud-based and mobile, so it can go along with users wherever they work, live, or travel for business. Checkeeper accounts are password-protected, with optional double-authentication features, and they use the same level of data encryption that banks use. Checkeeper provides all the updating and security, as well as HIPAA and SOC II compliance; checks printed and mailed by Checkeeper directly are automatically printed in the MICR ink that bank computers recognize for added security and more expedient processing. Those users who want to add an extra level of security to their check-printing process can add an approval requirement so that checks must gain final approval before they are printed or mailed. Checkeeper is easy to manage with the equipment you already own, and there no pricey downloads, software licenses, printers, servers, specialty ink, or custom supplies needed to access, run, and update your Checkeeper account.

4. Bookkeeping fees

Professional bookkeepers and accountants are familiar with the benefits of online check printing and mailing, and many use Checkeeper every day to serve clients and manage payments. Whether you handle the bookkeeping in-house or hire a part-time or virtual bookkeeper to assist, Checkeeper can cut costs, save time, and reduce errors by offering:

· Integration with accounting software

Checkeeper integrates with many of the popular accounting and payroll software commonly used by small businesses so that payment data entered in Checkeeper can be reflected and updated in the other programs. Link Checkeeper to a compatible program to add a custom check option to other payment methods and have data synced automatically.

· Automatic recording of check payments

Checkeeper accounts include an online check registry that records and stores check details for you, eliminating the need for manual data entry. Search the registry according to any check field or custom time frame to pull up a list of checks issued. This greatly reduces time needed to balance accounts and track expenses—as well as the costs for fixing mistakes later.

· Remote access

Business owners who don’t have the budget to employ their own dedicated bookkeeper can save money while still benefiting from professional expertise. Checkeeper is fully-remote, and it can be accessed by multiple users, including a bookkeeper who you authorize to issue payments and record expenses.

Those starting out on a new business venture may consider and avoid some typical items that can drain funds early on and give too little in return.

The wrong space

Overestimating the size of the space needed will lead to spending more money on rent, utilities, and upkeep than needed; moving again later will cost even more. Selecting a space that can accommodate your needs and is in a good location for the type of business you run is key to making the most of your money and keeping overhead as reasonable as possible. Business owners that require a leased office, storefront, warehouse, or workspace should research the best areas—taking into account costs as well as road and foot traffic—so that they don’t overspend on facilities that are too large or poorly located for customers.

The wrong software

It is worth the time to research the right software tools for your business and financial needs. There are many services and products abound, but not all of them may be suited to your needs, and, more likely, they may offer features that you don’t use or need even though you’re paying for them. Checkeeper is one of those software tools that offers only what you need in online check printing, including unlimited usage. One price unlocks all the features of unlimited check printing and mailing, multiple saved check templates, add-on software options, user permission settings, and saved logos and design images. Checkeeper integrates with many widely-used accounting and payroll software services, as well, so that users get the most for their money by linking Checkeeper to other services to offer a custom check option without the additional fees. To avoid investing in the wrong software, or in a product that goes underutilized, consider researching the best tools for your specific industry type and company size, taking the time to train properly on your chosen tools so that you can maximize each feature; adding products that work together saves time and reduces manual data entry while allowing data to be updated and synced automatically.

Poor financial management

Mismanaged finances and disorganized bookkeeping account for a lot of wasted money. Lack of a clear, standardized system for managing payments and cash flow can leave small business owners open to fraud, abuse, and unnoticed errors that become costly to fix. Late payments to vendors and suppliers will result in extraneous fees and penalty and interest charges, which drain money and give nothing in return; habitually late payments can also strain relations with suppliers, affiliates, customers, and lenders, leading to compromises in reputation. Automating tools can help take some of the work and headache out of issuing and recording payments, running payroll, and categorizing expenses, and they can make bank reconciliation and tax preparation smoother, more time-efficient processes.

Some tips for reducing money wasted by disorganized bookkeeping and neglected financial management:

·      Set aside time on a regular basis to review bank and credit card statements to track expenses and look for unexpected fees or unauthorized charges.

·      Create a well-researched budget early on to give a clear guide of what spending for designated categories should be. Budgets can be flexible, but they should not be overly broad or vague if they are to be useful.

·      Ascertain that your charges match your orders and you are not being charged subscription fees for services you don’t recognize, thought you canceled, or never authorized.

·      Select payment methods that don’t charge heavy convenience and service fees.

·      Pay bills on time; adopt automating software to help you keep track of payments and/or issue and record them for you.

·      Take advantage of online check printing software that offers automatic conversion of bills into check payments that are available for on-demand printing and same-day mailing.

·      Utilize software that offers automatic recording of financial transactions so that you don’t have to waste time on manual data entry and can still have access to real-time, updated financial information.

·      Outsource some financial management tasks and/or payroll when additional expertise or dedicated time exceeds what you have available.

Some of the types of professionals who benefit the most from remote access to online and remote payment methods include these:

Bookkeepers

More and more small and starting businesses are using remote and virtual bookkeeping services because they are much less costly than full-time and on-site hires. Virtual bookkeeping services are widely available to help businesses of all sizes and types, and they can take on financial responsibilities for many clients at once. Bookkeepers who are growing their client list appreciate the convenience and unique versatility Checkeeper online check printing and mailing offers. Some features appreciated and widely utilized by bookkeepers include:

· Checks printable on any check stock

· Checks can be printed using any layout/attachment format

· Checks can be customized with company logos for unique look and brand reinforcement

· Checks can be ordered for mailing from anywhere

· Check data is recorded and stored automatically in a searchable, online registry

· Check data and reports are kept separate for each business but are all accessible from one login and account page

Work-from-home professionals

Many types of jobs involve remote employees, as well as solopreneur ventures whose owners operate their business from a home office. Working from home poses several distinct challenges, and space arrangement is often one of them. Remote tools are essential for keeping work-from-home professionals connected, and those that require as little equipment and specialty supplies are the most useful for those who work out of a small home office. Checkeeper comes with everything you need to print and mail custom business checks. Checkeeper accounts are:

· Accessible right from your device

· Updated and maintained for you, with all security and encryption provided

· Compatible with a standard office printer, using standard ink or toner

· Compatible with any check stock, layout, or type of paper you wish to use

· Equipped with mailing options for those without even the basic printing/mailing supplies

Service providers who work from multiple customer locations

Those who provide client services at their customers' homes or offices move around a lot during the day and need tools that move with them. Checkeeper travels light and goes wherever you do. Checkeeper is ideal for home-service business owners because accounts can be accessed right from the vehicle, if needed, and checks can be printed and mailed on a user's behalf when they don’t want to cart around supplies or return to the office to print their own checks.

Business partners who share responsibilities

Remote access is helpful for family-run and partner businesses in which multiple people are involved in issuing payments. Online check printing alleviates the need for paper check registries, which can only be in one place, with one person, at a time, and whose accuracy depends on users remembering to enter transactions in a streamlined, standardized way. Checkeeper offers multi-user access and automatic data recording so that various people can share the payment responsibilities without compromising accuracy or accountability.

Entrepreneurs who run more than one business

Busy people who manage payments for more than one business or who run side businesses to generate additional income appreciate the flexibility that online payment methods offer. Checkeeper enables users to add as many secondary and tertiary businesses as needed to a single Checkeeper account without creating multiple logins, passwords, and credentials. Add all your needed businesses to your single account setup, and each business will get its own subscription, as well as its own smart check registry, searching and reporting features, designated add-ons, mailing settings, and custom images, logos, and templates. Access your one Checkeeper account from anywhere, and issue custom checks for multiple businesses at once. All reports you run are kept separate from each other so that there is no overlap among the various companies.

Professionals who lack a back office

Whether you work from a co-working space, different public locations, or even your vehicle, Checkeeper makes check printing easy by handling all the work for you. People who move around a lot or have to work from shared spaces do not have the room for equipment and supply storage. Checkeeper check mailing services allow complete outsourcing for professionals who work in shared spaces so that no printers, toner, paper, envelopes, stamps, or supplies are needed to get custom checks printed and mailed within the day. Order your needed checks before 4pm EST, and Checkeeper can have them printed and out for delivery by the end of the standard business day. Choose your priority delivery method so that you can control the speed and tracking features for each payment. All of this is done remotely, from your device, so that you never need to carry around a checkbook or check registry again.

Online videos show viewers how to get started using some of the accounting and payroll software compatible with Checkeeper. Videos feature the following software add-ons that can be used with Checkeeper:

QuickBooks Online

A short video demonstrates the steps to add QuickBooks Online to Checkeeper: log in to Checkeeper, select the ‘Add-ons’ tab, select QuickBooks Online from the menu of options, and then log in to your QuickBooks Online account. Once the integration is set up, QuickBooks Online will appear as an option inside your ‘Create check’ tab. Once selected, users can then export checks from a QuickBooks Online account into Checkeeper for easy printing and mailing.

Square

Checkeeper can offer a custom check option for issuing paychecks and automatically recording the data. In addition to working with Gusto and Patriot Payroll, Checkeeper also works with Square, and a short video takes new users through each step for issuing employees a paper paycheck.

Xero

Connecting the Checkeeper account to your Xero account allows you to have unpaid invoices turned directly into check payments for immediate printing and mailing.

Odoo

A short video shows users how to import bills from an Odoo account into Checkeeper for on-demand check printing and mailing.

Videos cover important topics quickly, and they contain answers to most questions about how to utilize Checkeeper add-ons

The videos go into depth on how to use some important payment and payroll features, and they offer detailed demonstrations you won’t find elsewhere. Some key topics highlighted by the videos include how to:

·      Print checks from your office on the check stock or paper of choice

·      Customize a check layout

·      Convert CSVs to checks

·      File a regular payroll cycle or an off-cycle payment in Square

·      Switch from direct deposit to physical paycheck for those workers who will be paid by Checkeeper check

·      View a Bank Withdrawal Summary

·      Have all the hours employees worked automatically placed

·      Preview individual checks and confirm all pay stub information

·      View all checks in your QuickBooks Online account to select the ones for Checkeeper to print

·      Export checks from QuickBooks Online into Checkeeper

·      Filter your check list by any payment criteria

·      Import bills from Odoo into Checkeeper for fast creation of checks

·      Add or change account and routing numbers

·      Automatically bundle totals due to the same vendor in order to save time and reduce paperwork

·      Import Xero invoices that you want paid by check

·      Attach invoice tables

In-account video walkthroughs also show users—very quickly—how to take advantage of Checkeeper’s many features. Pro Tips videos (inside the Help tab) give short, comprehensive, automatically-repeating examples of Checkeeper features. Topics are listed in subcategories that progress from basic features for new users to more advanced features. Subtopics include:

Creating checks

Check registry

Layouts

Profile tools

Settings

Import checks

Mail settings

Reports

Checkeeper videos and tutorials are most useful for:

·      New Checkeeper subscribers

·      Business owners considering switching from paper checkbooks to online check printing

·      Bookkeepers who work with different accounting software services for clients

·      Free trial members

·      Users experiencing technical issues

·      Users who are unaware of all the available bonus features

·      Checkeepers who are ready to use mailing services

Checkeeper videos and in-account demonstrations offer all the training most users need to get started using Checkeeper, as well as to exercise the more advanced features and software integrations.

Register for a free account. Once inside your Checkeeper account, locate some helpful features along the left-hand navigation bar to start printing and mailing your checks:

Create check

Check registry

Layouts

Mail settings

Reports

Add-ons

Settings

Help

Easy account navigation

Navigate Checkeeper quickly and easily by knowing what each tab contains. Some tips for the most efficient navigation:

·      Use the Layouts tab to help get you started setting up check templates and default settings to use for current and future checks. Users have the option to edit one of the provided layouts or to create their own. Checkeeper enables users to create and save multiple check layouts in case they need different designs and custom fields for different kinds of payments. Select the layout you want to make active, and that layout will be used for subsequent checks created; change your active layout inside the Layouts tab anytime.

·      The Help tab takes you to ‘Pro Tips,’ which provides access to brief video tutorials that take users through many of Checkeeper’s more sophisticated features, The demonstrations autorepeat so that new users can rewatch a needed example as many times as needed to learn how to use a new option. Topics for Pro Tips videos are listed along the right side of the page.

·      The Reports tab is essential for keeping accurate records for reference and reconciliation. Users can simply input a custom date range with month/year information to pull up checks created within those dates, or, if needed, generate and export a comprehensive report featuring all check data, including check numbers, payee names, dates, amounts, and authorized users responsible for transactions.

·      Selecting the Add-ons tab will pull up a list of compatible software programs and services that can work in conjunction with Checkeeper for more streamlined payments and bookkeeping. Gusto, Square, or Patriot Payroll can be added to Checkeeper in order to offer a custom paycheck option; Xero or Odoo accounts can be linked to Checkeeper for those users who want to take advantage of bill-to-check conversion options by which unpaid invoices can be imported into Checkeeper and turned automatically into checks ready for printing and mailing. Checkeeper also works with other services, including QuickBooks Online and FreshBooks, to make payments and bookkeeping more efficient and to keep expenses categorized automatically.

·      The tab for Mail Settings alerts you to how many mailing credits you have for ordering your checks printed and mailed for you by Checkeeper. Use the Mail Settings page to add, adjust, and verify the correct business information and bank account numbers. Purchase more credits needed to cover the type of priority delivery method you need. (A handy calculator at the bottom of the page can guide you to the right number of credits to add.) Add your signature, optional logo, and any check voiding instructions on this page.

Checkeeper settings offer access to specialized features

Use the Settings tab to set defaults and to add custom fields to checks to assist with recording and processing. Setting options include:

·      Automatically assign check numbers

·      Mail attachment with check (for new checks created)

·      Sort registry by date created

·      Disable check backdating

·      Checks require approval

·      Enable License Barcode Scanning

Tip: Access ‘Custom Fields’ inside the Settings tab (along the top) in order to add a unique field to your check, such as customer ID, bill number, or invoice. Custom fields can be activated and deactivated as needed. Deactivated check fields will still appear in your check registry so that they can be used as search fields for previous checks that contained them.

Need more help navigating the account? Customer support is a chat away.

Checkeeper was designed with accountants and bookkeepers in mind, offering software for custom business check printing, automatic recording and storing of payment data, powerful search and reporting options, and software integrations with other services commonly used by business owners and bookkeepers for accounting, payments, and payroll.

Checkeeper is widely used by professional bookkeepers because of its unique and essential features, including:

1. Customizable check templates

Managing the varying payment needs of many different clients requires organization and the ability to offer diverse options. Checkeeper was designed with professional bookkeepers in mind because, even with checks, one size or type does not suit all. Upload an image of a preferred check design, or use one of Checkeeper’s pre-built check layouts with all the needed check elements in place for you. Edit a provided check template, if preferred, moving around elements, resizing them, and adding logos and custom check fields to aid the payment process. Make checks as unique and personalized as desired to suit different client needs.

2. Multi-client management from one dashboard

Logging into separate accounts for every different client every time a quick payment is needed is time-consuming and requires a lot of security and account maintenance. Checkeeper offers consolidated account management from a single login and dashboard. Log in to Checkeeper once, and access multiple businesses, their check templates, and their reports. Each added business incurs its own subscription and gets its own saved check templates, smart check registry, designated software add-ons, uploaded logos, and mailing settings. Run reports for each business separately, and keep all records updated and stored in one convenient location.

3. Smart check registry

Balancing and keeping organized dozens of separate check registries and financial ledgers is time-consuming and not maximally productive. Checkeeper offers a smart check registry that does all the recording of check transactions for you, eliminating the errors, as well as the extra time, involved in manual data entry. Each client business has its own check registry so that check reports and expenses are kept separate and organized.

4. Search and reporting options

Bookkeepers who need to manage separate registries per client and run spending reports frequently appreciate that Checkeeper consolidates the access to multiple business accounts without overlapping the data. Each added business gets its own check registry that can be searched according to any check field when a specific payment or series of payments needs to be located; reports can be run for any custom time frame—including the entire account history—in order to pull up a comprehensive spreadsheet containing all payment data listed on each check.

5. Software integrations

Financial management professionals often use more than one service for various accounting, payment, and payroll operations, and Checkeeper works compatibly with many of them. Link Checkeeper to QuickBooks Online or another compatible accounting software to have check data synced and expenses categorized automatically; connect Checkeeper to Square, Gusto, or Patriot Payroll for paycheck processing and for importing the payment data for those employees who are paid by paper check. Connect Checkeeper to your Odoo or Xero account to access bill-to-check conversion features by which information from unpaid invoices in one account can be directly imported into Checkeeper to have a payment check automatically generated with all fields filled in for you. Log in to your Checkeeper account to learn about these features and other compatible software services with which Checkeeper integrates.

6. Remote access

Managing payments for many clients from afar means that reliable remote services are imperative. Checkeeper is online, cloud-based, and mobile, so your account travels with you while your records are automatically recorded and stored, accessible from wherever you live, work, or travel. Use one Checkeeper account to access all your client check templates and registries, and issue payments on demand from anywhere. Order checks printed and mailed on behalf of clients remotely, and all the supplies are provided for you along with automatic transaction recording in the smart check registry.

7. Multi-user access

When you need to delegate some work or be added to a Checkeeper account that already exists, Checkeeper makes multi-user permission settings simple and streamlined. Add authorized users to a single Checkeeper account so that multiple people can issue payments, order payments mailed, or approve payments before they go out. Account holders (“super users”) can limit the user permissions to only designated features, if needed, and change, limit, or revoke them when needed.

Checkeeper offers streamlined account management for professional bookkeepers who have many client payments to issue and manage at once.

Checkeepers can take some additional measures to keep their accounts secure and their payment histories private. For an optimal experience, check out some additional security features users can exercise inside their Checkeeper accounts:

User permission settings

User permission settings allow Checkeeper account holders to authorize additional people to print and/or mail check payments and to maintain oversight regarding who is in the account. User permission settings can be set to allow only designated features so that account holders can control which actions others can take inside the account. Those settings can be expanded, limited, or revoked at any time by account super users. List the names and email addresses of users you wish to authorize inside the account Administration, and Checkeeper will send each person a secure link to initiate authorization.

Approval requirement

Want an extra layer of security after authorizing an employee, partner, or remote bookkeeper to access the Checkeeper account? Account owners can add an approval requirement so that a final authorization is required before a check payment can go out.

Double-authentication requirement

Checkeeper follows multiple security protocols, providing accounts that are password-protected and which take advantage of the same level of data encryption that banks use. Like many online services, Checkeeper also offers a double-authentication login for those who want the extra security that comes with verifying a user before opening account access.

Financial reports for greater accountability

Checkeeper accounts come with an online, searchable check registry that records and stores all check details for you. Reports run through Checkeeper are comprehensive, listing not only the recorded payment data, but also the authorized user who initiated the check and the date and time of check creation. This gives account holders the extra assurance of accountability and transparency among all users.

Check mailing with tracking options

Checkeeper offers check mailing services, including four priority delivery methods for those users who want their checks printed and mailed for them. Create the checks you wish to have sent, or upload a file with payment data if there are many checks you need generated at once, and select your delivery preference. Priority Mail, Next-Day Air, and Second-Day Air all offer tracking options for greater security and monitoring for those payments whose timing and custody you want to oversee.

Print only the checks you need

While you can use Checkeeper to print as many blank, ready-to-use checks as you choose, a more secure option is to print only the checks you need that day. Leaving blank business checks on desks or in drawers can compromise security, open your account to fraudulent use, and needlessly expose sensitive bank information to unauthorized users. Checkeeper’s print-on-demand feature means that you don’t have to carry or store blank, ready-to-use business checks in order to issue payments on demand. Print what you need imminently, or have Checkeeper do it for you.

Checkeeper does not touch or move users’ money

Unlike services that go into your bank account or transfer your funds into a separate fund for holding, Checkeeper leaves users’ money in their own hands. The Checkeeper template prints bank account and routing numbers exactly as they are input by users (automatically formatted in the MICR font that is necessary for bank processing), and those numbers can be changed when users open additional accounts or change banks altogether. Checkeeper keeps users in control of their own funds and does not charge separate service fees, convenience fees, or heavy-usage fees so that users are never surprised by unexpected charges.

Five red flags to look out for when researching online check printing software services:

1.    Lack of clear security features

An online check provider should be clear about security protocols and account protection that users can expect. In addition to password protection, accounts should offer double-authentication, secure data encryption, and approval settings that allow users to monitor account usage. Making sure that a service is HIPAA compliant is important for medical and healthcare-related businesses so that client information is kept confidential. It is also advisable to be wary about services that go into your checking account or move your money.

2.    Limitations on checks printed

While some check templates can be found online, not all sites offer quality features and services. Checkeeper offers unlimited checks printed all month long so that users never have to worry about added fees, overage charges, or having to move to a higher pricing tier. Print a few checks one month for routine bill payments, and then print many checks another month when payment needs are higher. The Checkeeper software offers unlimited saved check templates, as well, so that users can create and design different check styles for different kinds of payment needs.

3.    Complicated downloads and software maintenance

Checkeeper is cloud-based and mobile, so it goes wherever a user goes and does not require any specialty equipment or supplies. Downloads that are device-specific can only be accessed by one person at a time, and only on the designated device that may or may not travel well. Checkeeper can be accessed by multiple authorized users simultaneously, with all data updated in real time. Checkeeper provides all the site maintenance, security, updating, and support, so that no IT expertise is needed from users.

4.    Services without mailing options

Printing custom business checks from your home or office offers convenience and immediacy that benefits business owners and professionals whenever a payment is imminently due. However, there are likely times when you are out of town, away from your printer, or low on time or supplies, and having someone else print and mail your checks offers an important convenience not available with other payment services. Checkeeper offers not only custom check printing, but custom check mailing, as well, and can have your needed payment checks printed and mailed before the end of the standard business day. Input the payment information or upload a CSV file containing the data for multiple checks at once, and select the priority delivery method of choice to have your checks printed and mailed by Checkeeper, with all the supplies provided. If you have unpaid invoices in an Odoo or Xero account, import them directly into Checkeeper to have payment checks generated automatically with all the fields filled in for you and all the information automatically recorded and stored in the smart check registry.

5.    High prices and hidden fees

While many payment options are available to businesses and bookkeepers, many of them come with service and convenience fees that can add up over time. Checks are still a common and trusted way for businesses to transact funds, as billions of checks travel through the mail each year. Checkeeper offers unlimited check printing without hidden fees, service charges, pricing tiers, or upcharges for bonus features. All features of unlimited check printing are included in the subscription, and low-cost mailing credits can be added to the account at any time. Pricing is upfront, a free trial gets new users started, and accounts can be canceled anytime without penalty.