Google, Intuit Pair Up For SMB Cash Management

Google and Intuit are pairing up to help Australian small businesses (SMBs) get a better grip on cash management.

Reports Wednesday (Sept. 13) said Google and Intuit Australia announced news of their partnership at the Google Cloud Summit, which was held in Sydney.

As part of their initiative, Gmail now supports integrated eInvoicing using Intuit tools. The Google Calendar App also integrates with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Online Accountant, the companies said.

“I’m delighted this collaboration between Intuit and Google will deliver huge benefits for small businesses across Australia,” said Intuit Australia Vice President and Country Manager Nicolette Maury in a statement. “Intuit and Google are leaders in innovative technological advances for small businesses, and, by bringing our technologies together, we are creating important efficiencies between the two solutions we know customers are already using.”

Intuit Australia also announced the results of its latest research, which surveyed 500 accountants and bookkeepers. Researchers found that mixing personal and business expenses, along with poor record keeping, are the top issues these professionals face when managing small business accounts. This means accountants can spend up to 50 percent more time managing SMBs’ books, resulting in higher costs for the small business customer, Intuit Australia noted.

Integrated services that automate data entry may be able to help ensure accuracy in small business cash management practices.

“Prior to the integration, small businesses had to manually enter each activity from their Google Calendar into QuickBooks. Not only did this take longer, but it increased the chance of human error,” explained Maury. “This new integration allows business owners to schedule client work and appointments with Google Calendar, and then these billable appointments are available in QuickBooks for invoicing customers and managing finances.”

“Google Cloud is pleased to work with Intuit to provide the tools that make it easier for businesses to innovate and deliver services,” added Ash Willis, head of Cloud Partners & Alliances, JAPAC. “This new integration enables small businesses to increase their efficiency when invoicing, meaning they save time and money.”