“Stakeholders and companies often forget cryptocurrency accounting processes. And if they do remember, they often have a difficult time with it.”
Cryptocurrency as a digital asset still comes with financial obligations, like taxes. Submitting tax reports and crypto earnings are still part of one’s financial obligations despite confusing regulations. In fact, tax reports and cryptocurrency accounting has been so arduous that it has made things difficult for both companies and accountants.
As a new form of asset class, most approaches to crypto tax and accounting have been similar to traditional ways— using pen and paper. Considering crypto’s volatile and voluminous feature, this could make things worse than it is considering it involves money.
Crypto Accounting Requires a Modern Approach
If we look into cryptocurrency, we’re possibly looking into a vast number of assets. Often, these assets are stored in multiple digital wallets. Some assets also differ from each other. And people often interchange cryptocurrency. But stable coins, utility coins, security tokens, and payment tokens are different. It is important to note that. The change in their value depends on how their value is determined. For example, stable coins are tied to physical fiats. Utility coins for ICOs. And payment tokens depend on the market.
Crypto accounting can become overwhelming unless you have the right tools. In this guide, we will list down tools you may need to perform crypto accounting with ease.
Crypto Tax and Accounting Tools
There are multiple tools like extended digital wallets for cryptocurrency accounting. But most of these software touch on the basics. Here is a list of tools and its characteristics that you need to look for when dealing with cryptocurrency accounting.
Account Organization and Portfolio Making
Cryptocurrencies and other digital assets are stored in different wallets—either hot wallets or cold storage. Some have single keys, some have multiple keys. It is also often advised to store crypto in various storages. Crypto can also be stored depending on its value and allocation. This can be taxing for crypto tax.
Your tools should allow portfolio and account organization. You or your accountant should be able to define and determine all of your assets across different storages. And if needed, the software should provide an overview of all asset classes and sort them out.
Transaction Tables and Transaction Classification
Cryptocurrency accounting should also have an overview of all transactions. And this should consider every form of transaction done with crypto. Your cryptocurrency accounting tools must be able to make transaction tables. This would simplify data tracing, cross checking, and information overviewing in the future.
Transaction classification is important as well. Buying, selling, and mining are some forms of transactions you could do with crypto. And these digital transaction often have varying crypto tax. So your software must also be able to classify its transactions or else the table might be a bit useless.
Smart Record Keeping and Screenshot Availability
Cryptocurrency accounting software should allow smart record keeping. This means protection against hacking and copying from third party software or other means. And the software should also take security and safety into consideration. Along with that, your software should allow screenshot options that could be exported only through the software.
Record keeping is always important with accounting. But considering the volume and volatility of crypto, smart record keeping through the software is a better option than a pen and paper. It would require less work too.
Auto Update or Real-Time Updates
And speaking of volatility of cryptocurrency, auto update or real-time updates is crucial in a software. This feature is crucial as it directly affects accuracy of transaction details. Recent cryptocurrency accounting software has placed this feature in most wallets and you should consider this as well with cryptocurrency accounting.
Exportability and File Sharing
Your software should allow you to file exports and share them. Sometimes, the government or institutions ask for paperwork and signatories. And you would need to be able to provide that.
To note, an important format would be CSV as this format would allow reading across programs, especially with general software.
Reduce Cryptocurrency Accounting Costs by Using Multi-functional Software
The best thing about modern innovation and technology is its vast capability. A multi-functional software for cryptocurrency would be tremendously valuable to you and/or your company. Cipher Assets has been developing a similar project like this.
Not only should your software provide an overview, it should function enough to allow smart record keeping especially of transactions. The biggest challenge of accountants is the accuracy of crypto records and its value. Luckily, the modern world has a solution for it.
This blog article was original posted on Cipher Assets. EOI Digital does not claim ownership of the blog. If you are looking for crypto asset management and software, check out Cipher Assets.