One of my goals for the new year is to streamline some of my office procedures, and to keep better track of how my business is doing financially.
I just purchased Quickbooks pro, and am pretty excited about some of the features it has. (Geez my life must be dull to be excited over accounting software!!!) I know there are quite a few of you who are using this program, and I was wondering if you would share with me any tips you have in streamlining this program that worked well for you. Are there any quirks or bugs I should watch out for?
Thanks,
Suelynn
------------------ "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, Sk Canada
Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
What a great program Quickbooks Pro is! I just bought it about 3 months ago. Aside from having my secretary hate me for needing to enter 8 months worth of invoices into the computer, ITS THE BEST!
Its very cool to see sales, expenses, those cool pie charts - and also to be able to measure your growth, more importantly. And year end accounting for my accountant will be a snap. I use it to figure my 941 taxes, sales taxes, etc.
Its a little tough when you start with it, but once you get going, its great.
You can also characterize your sales - for example - I have a few lines of business that I can easily track sales in - Logo Design Layout/Design Font Sales Printing Web Design Advertising/Media Buys Truck Lettering/Signs
So, what's neat is at the end of the year, I can have a total sales figure for each line of business.
The program really provides you with a wealth of information about your business, and I think forces you to examine it more closely, and make better decisions regarding it.
posted
We've been using it for years and until recently I always hand wrote invoices so they looked personal. The latest version allows importing a logo to generate custom invoices. We're doing it and it's like a new toy.
------------------
"The codfish lays ten thousand eggs, the homely hen lays one the codfish never cackles to tell you what she's done And so we shun the codfish while the lowly hen we prize Which only goes to show you that it pays to advertise!" *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Ogden Nash
The Sign Shop Mendocino, CA.
Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
I absolutely love this program. I've typed out many rather lengthy posts about all the things I liked about it in past posts. Perhaps if you do a search on this BB you will find some of them.
It's been a wonderful tool for me, really helps keep me in line with the books. You'll love the reconcile feature, and the fact that you always knows who's paid, and who's outstanding. You'll have details like their invoice info, their check number, and dates all at your fingertips.
As Dan mentioned you can customize your catagories however simply or extensively as you wish. This allows you to see where your most sales are coming from.
I began using Quickbooks at the first of the year, so I didn't have to feed in so many past invoices of the current year. I have not found alot of pre-adding stuff necessary, but rather it's an input as you go kinda thing. Very low maintenance in my opinion.
One quirk I'll mention is in regards to the sales tax liability. I don't use their method of accounting for it because it does not allow for the allowance or the penalties. Our state gives us a percentage of our sales tax each month for doing the paper work on time. If we are late, there are penalties. They don't account for either in the tax liability section of Quickbooks, so I just nix using their method, made catagories for it, and simply write it out as I would any other check. I also made catagories for added principle payments I make on the mortgage, or any number of various allowances or penalties.
It's a great program, very easy learning, fun to use, and the manual actually speaks in English, not techno-speak. That's a plus!
There is a lot of freedom in Quickbooks. Let me know if you need any help setting up.
Nettie
------------------ "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
Start packing and move in! It's just too easy to be a Resident! Location, Location, Location! It's all right here! http://www.letterhead.com/supporters
posted
I have been using the program for years now and I have to say it is without a doubt the best and most stable program I have used ever. I did try another this year - I wanted one that deals with the Euro but Tas books was nowhere near as easy to use. It had to go back.
Printer-friendly view of this topic