This article was paid for by Intuit QuickBooks.
In today’s fast-paced marketplace, time is a valuable commodity. Yet research by Intuit QuickBooks shows that small business owners spend up to 25 hours a week on data entry, diverting precious time they could be using to grow their companies.
Agentic AI is a type of artificial intelligence that relies on data to make independent decisions and plan and execute tasks. It has numerous applications for small business owners looking to save time. AI agents draw on a variety of data sources, from sales reports to your inbox, to achieve specific goals — whether that's identifying overdue invoices or crunching the numbers in time for your next big meeting.
They require very little human oversight, giving you time back in your day for more important projects. Intuit has AI agents that work in tandem with classic QuickBooks features to streamline multiple tasks.
Here are five ways Intuit’s AI agents could help business owners boost their productivity:
QuickBooks
Cost
Costs may vary depending on the plan, but you can take advantage of a limited-time offer: 50% off for 3 months
Standout features
Tracks your business expenses as they happen, as well as your income. Users can use app to do invoicing, accept payments, manage their cash flow, maximize tax deductions, track travel miles, run reports, send estimates, manage bills and 1099 contractors, plus pay employees
Categorizes your expenses
Yes
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards, plus third-party apps like PayPal and Square
Availability
Accessible from any web browser and offered in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android)
Security features
Verisign scanning, password-protected login, firewall-protected servers, and the same encryption technology (128-bit SSL) used by the world's top banks. QuickBooks also offers multiple permission levels that you can set for additional users' access
Terms apply.
1. They can speed up tedious tasks
Data entry probably isn’t the only thing slowing you down. From logging expenses to finding customer leads, any number of manual administrative tasks can eat into your day. Intuit’s virtual AI team includes an Accounting Agent, a Payments Agent and a Finance Agent, plus beta Customer and Project Management agents. They draw on automation technology to do some of the heavy lifting for you.
2. They could simplify bookkeeping
Intuit’s accounting AI agents can lessen the demands of modern bookkeeping by helping you keep accurate records. They can assist in identifying and rectifying discrepancies in real-time. They can also help reconcile accounts and calculate profits and losses, so you know where your business stands.
3. They may help you get paid faster
Collecting payment is one of the most important jobs for any business. Intuit’s AI agents can alert you to outstanding invoices, tally how much you’re owed and generate reminders for clients that you can review and edit.
They can also help you pay bills and track cash flow, so you can see how money is moving in and out of your accounts.
4. They can take the guesswork out of data analysis
Understanding how your company is performing is critical to making smart (and timely) business decisions. Intuit’s AI agents can help you decipher key financial data by analyzing your numbers, offering insights and delivering automated forecasts to help you reach your goals.
5. They can keep you more organized
When you’re running your own business, there’s a lot to keep track of. Intuit's AI Agents prompt you to categorize expenses, store photos of your receipts for tax time and review items that require additional attention.
New beta features also pitch in with customer management, generating leads from your emails and keeping tabs on new sales opportunities.
A productivity boost from AI agents
Intuit’s integrated AI agents aim to help small business owners manage their time — and, ultimately, their operations. Drawing on automation and multiple data sources, they can simplify everything from bookkeeping and accounts payable to in-depth financial analysis.
Utilizing new AI tools could improve your productivity and help you focus more on the people-powered work that really moves your business forward.
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