An accounting module is an essential component of new or used car dealership software. Staying on top of spending and other transactions is one of the simplest ways to cut costs and increase profits. Numerous software vendors offer dealer management software designed specifically to streamline accounting duties. Instead of having to perform many tasks by hand, a good software program will take care of them automatically.Accounting software can be a major investment, especially for car dealers. There is the cost of the software itself, plus losses in productivity when installing the software and learning how to use it. To make sure your investment does not go to waste, here are five tips to keep in mind before committing to a particular automobile accounting program:1. Review the reviews: the internet is an excellent source for reviews by people who have just gone through the process you have. Be sure to note both positive and negative reviews. Take heed of what worked, what could be improved, and what past customers liked best about the accounting packages in which you have interest.2. Confirm compatibility: before spending your hard-earned cash on software, check to see whether it will work with your current computer and other software applications you already own. Lots of software solutions require specific amounts of processing power and memory. Some might require specialized equipment. If you can select a software package that will not require you to make additional upgrades, you will save extra money.3. Know the features: this sounds simple, but sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what you want from your software before you buy it. If you have looked at the reviews as mentioned above, you should have a better idea of the features you want. To start, the automobile software obviously should record revenue and expenses. Next, your automobile accounting program should integrate with other modules of your dealership software system, so that one application will give you information on sales, inventory, and payroll all in one place. And while performing tasks and maintaining records are very important, keep in mind that you will probably want to print out formatted reports too. Choose auto dealership software that will allow you to present the information you want in a way that readers can comprehend.4. Test the software first: if you are moving along with the process of purchasing the software, set up a limited trial period with the vendor you have in mind, even if the trial will not be free. A small amount of money spent upfront is worth the time you will gain to use the software program in real-world circumstances. You want to determine how long it will take you to learn and implement the software. The longer it takes to become efficient with the software, the more money your dealership stands to lose.5. Find a reliable vendor: finally, take some time to examine the background of the automobile dealer software vendor itself. Software with all the bells and whistles is worth very little if the company that sells it is not committed to service. You do not want to spend more money than necessary, but consider investing a little more if you know that your vendor is reputable. It is quite common for issues to pop up after installing software; if you run into something major, your whole business could come to a standstill, costing you thousands of dollars. You want to work with a company that will do everything it can to fix the situation as quickly as possible, as opposed to a vendor that will forget about you as soon as you pay for the auto dealer software.These five recommendations will help ensure that the accounting software you select will be an investment that pays off for several years. You will enjoy all of the benefits while minimizing your costs.