As the owner of your own business, you bear the responsibility for serving your customers, your suppliers, your employees, and even your family. When everything and everyone depends on you to succeed, organization and time management skills are critical. Not tech-savvy? No problem, says Ann Irons, CPA. Irons, who has worked with countless family-owned and small businesses in Bellingham, MA, shares her list of must-have apps.

Jot It Down: Apps for Taking Notes

How many times have you scribbled a reminder to yourself on a Post-it note, only to lose the note minutes later? Try Evernote, which won the Apple Design Award in 2013, has been described as the “grandfather of note-taking apps.” Available on iOs, Android, and Windows, Evernote syncs with your phone, tablet, and computer easily, allowing you to share documents, websites, notes, images, and even sketches across devices and with others. Free and premium versions are available.

If you prefer to record your notes as audio clips, try AudioNote. The app also allows you to save handwritten notes and drawings, and syncs easily with Dropbox.

Be a Team Player: Apps for Collaboration

If you work with others on several drafts at a time, try Quip for iOs and Android. Ideal for anyone who requires near-constant updates, the app cuts down on the flood of one-line emails cluttering your inbox. Because the app allows you to work with attachments, you don’t need an Internet connection to access your drafts. It’s especially useful for those who work in virtual teams.

The Google Drive app, also free, works with Google Docs and is compatible with Microsoft Word documents and other Office files. Other users can view and edit files offline, then sync automatically the next time they have Internet access.

Know Your Industry: The Best App for Connections

If you aren’t already on LinkedIn, now is the time to join. The website, a haven for professionals and job-seekers, has become a hub for industry news and networking. The app’s scheduling feature allows you to mete out posts in advance, saving time. You’ll also gain quick access to qualified candidates, potential partners, and the latest news from companies relevant to your own.

Keep It Separate: Apps for Personal Money Management

Irons, who offers individual and business tax preparation in Bellingham, MA, notes that few practices are as potentially catastrophic as failing to maintain separate accounts for personal and professional finances. Rather than risking an audit by the IRS, use a personal finance app to keep up with your own accounts, and trust a CPA or accounting professional to manage your company’s books. Level Money and Mint, both free, make tracking your spending easy. Level Money is ideal for those who prefer at-a-glance info and infographics, while Mint appeals to people who have several accounts that require managing, such as student loans, checking, saving, and multiple credit cards.

Need more than a great app? A Massachusetts CPA and graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston, Ann Irons, CPA, LLC has the experience and knowledge to facilitate total financial health for your business. To learn more about accounting and bookkeeping services, or to request an appointment with Ann, contact us at 508-966-0700. We serve individuals and companies in and around Bellingham, Woonsocket, Medford, and Boston.