Book Description

“Intuit-approved and loaded with secrets, Quicken Press books provide you with recipes for financial success.”--Scott Cook, Co-founder, Intuit, Inc.

The only official guide to QuickBooks 2004, this information-packed resource teaches users of all levels how to manage their finances for business or home. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Reference Book Only - Don't buy to learn to use Quickbooks!
I bought this book to learn how to use QuickBooks properly after my accountant noticed a few major issues with how I tracked things in my company file. I found this book worthless for a beginner trying to learn how to use the product. Also, it doesn't seem to provide significantly more detail than QuickBooks online help. The only thing I've used it for so far is learning a good account naming scheme...

This book has everything you need
This book not only has clear explanations about how to perform every bookkeeping chore in Quickbooks, it also explains what's going on in the background so you can understand how your profit and loss numbers accumulated. Beyond that, this book has important and useful information about workarounds for all the Quickbooks functions that are annoying if you or your accountant don't want to do things the "Quickbooks way". The explanations and tips about setting up sales tax, overcoming bank reconciliation problems, tracking inventory, and managing customers are beautifully written and easy to understand. My accountant said he learned from it and took what he learned to his other Quickbooks customers. This book lets you get the most out of QuickBooks, and shows you how to run your business properly.

A Perfect Resource
This book has the most accurate information on all the Quickbooks features, and the explanations are so easy to follow that it's like having a private tutor. No matter what you need to do, this book has instructions, even if you don't want to do things the way Quickbooks normally works. These workarounds, along with all the "insider" information and tips, make this book an incredibly useful, wonderful, guide to getting everything you need out of Quickbooks. ... Read more

Book Description

Most entrepreneurs enter new ventures because they know something about products or retail or sales and marketing.Despite a burning passion for their new businesses, entrepreneurs will not succeed unless they learn to keep their financial records in order.While even the largest corporations can suffer from financial myopia, new business owners are especially challenged.

Fortunately there are some simple principles that set the stage for success to help business owners get their arms around bookkeeping basics.Over the years, hundreds of thousands of business owners have benefited from the practical and easy-to-use concepts in Keeping the Books.

In this new and updated sixth edition, financial expert and entrepreneur Linda Pinson shares a time-tested recipe for mastering record-keeping essentials.Generously illustrated with sample forms and worksheets, including up-to-date IRS forms for small businesses, this new edition provides comprehensive hands-on tools to:
*Set up effective record-keeping systems and keepthe right records.
*Prepare financial statements that show where thebusiness stands.
*Analyze cash flow and important financial benchmarks with ease.
*Keep adequate records to prevent tax time disastersand maximize profits.
*Learn to distinguish an employee from an independent contractor.

Including a business resource section and glossary of accounting terms, along with proven processes for smart financial record keeping, this one-stop guide lets even thefinancially challenged grasp the basics. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great Book For Small Business People
"Keeping The Books: Basic Record-Keeping and Accounting For The Small Business" by Linda Pinson and Jerry Jinnett is an excellent introduction to record-keeping and accounting for small business owners.

The book does a solid job introducing record-keeping. It discusses the:

General Journal
General Ledger
Petty Cash Record
Inventory Records
Fixed Asset Log
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Independent Contractor Record
Payroll Records (though the authors recommend you hire a payroll firm to handle your payroll due to the government's extreme demands for payroll records)
Mileage Log
Travel Expense Records
Entertainment Records

Sample forms of all of the above are given and explained, as well as blank forms the authors state you can copy and use for your business. Today most of us would put such records on a computer, but we should still understand the process, the authors point out.

"Keeping The Books" is especially good, as it discusses, not only single-entry accounting, but also gives a decent introduction to double-entry accounting. The brief explanation, though very good, is not as good as taking an introductory class in double-entry bookkeeping. Taking a basic bookkeeping class is one of the best things a new business owner can do.

For example, "Keeping The Books" casually mentions there are two sides to any business transaction and the two sides are recorded as debits and credits. Then it lists the rules for how revenue, expense, asset, liability, and equity accounts are affected by debits and credits. (Debit increases the value in an asset account; a debit decreases the value of an equity or liability account, etc.)

Debits are entered on the left-hand side of the column and credits are entered on the right hand side. But, it is never explicitly stated that the one giving in the transaction is the credit(or) and the one receiving in the transaction is the debit(or). A simple rule like that makes understanding double-entry accounting much easier.

For example, if you sell one hour of your service, Service Revenue is the giver (so it's credited) and cash is the receiver (so cash is debited) and increased. Many people new to accounting benefit from having that point *explicitly* mentioned, though some might say it is obvious.

But, overall, the introduction to double-entry accounting is solid, extremely readable and not overly long. Adjusting the entries at the end of an accounting period is also discussed.

"Keeping The Books" goes into basic financial statements--balance sheet, income statement (or profit and loss statement), projected cash flow statement. These topics are very well-explained and will benefit the small business owner.

Pinson and Jinnett show how to put all the statements on a comparative basis to examine percentage value changes. For example, on the income statement, let sales' revenue be 100% and, then, examine all costs and expenses (and hopefully profit!) as a percentage of sales. This helps you understand your business better and make better business decisions.

Especially good is the discussion about projecting cash flow on a month-by-month basis. This is something too few business owners do. Break-even analysis is also briefly mentioned.

A excellent chapter written by Marilyn Bartlett, C.P.A., discusses basic financial statement analysis and how it helps you understand and improve your business. Incidentally, this chapter would be good reading for someone new to investing who wants a good introductory explanation of why and how analysts break down financial statements.

Finally, "Keeping The Books" mentions the basic tax forms your business will need. Though there is no discussion about actually filling out the forms. Useful tax calendars tell you when to send in what form to which agency. But, you can get that directly from the IRS.

Overall, this is a great book for new business owners to learn basic record-keeping and accounting. The book is extremely readable and covers extremely important topics for the new business owner to understand. Review by Peter Hupalo, author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur"

Not that much information
Based on some of the glaring reviews, I was really expecting a superior book here. What I got wasn't even good for the green as green novice.

I was anxious to read the tax information since some reviewers had noted how great that was, but alas, I found it to be note much different from what I get from the IRS or even by reading basic tax forms...FOR FREE!

I'd pass on this one.

Good to average accounting book
This bookisn't bad for somebody who is completely new to accounting, but I found it average for anyone with any modicumof experience. Might be good for people with C-Corporations, but not for people with S-Corporations.

A good, average accounting book...
This book is more dictionary, than actual hands on. Also this book is geared to the small business owner (schedule C) or possbile S corp. I was looking for more corporate accounting (C Corp). What you learn is all the most popular accounts to set up. If you have some basic and immed. knowledge, then this book is no real use to you. Though, I would have my future employees read through it. This way they can understand the basics. Overall, not a bad book, though not for me.

Okay for someone new
Most og the context in Keeping the books is either basic or outdated. If you are brand new or like I was, lousy at organization, you will find an idea or two from Keeping The Books. ... Read more

Book Description

All the techniques and information for turning a flair for figures into a highly profitable, well-rounded financial services career.

The book considers the advantages and disadvantages of self-employment, looks closely at entrepreneurship, reviews the nuts and bolts and costs of start up, presents the legal requirements, and tells how to acquire adequate computer equipment to do the job right. To build a solid client base, it tells how to analyze cities and towns for bookkeeping service, whether to start fresh or buy a going concern. It tells how much to charge and how to collect and manage the money. Once under way the author discusses work habits that don't run your life, hiring and training employees, diversifying into profitable sidelines, and building a comfortable retirement. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Visionary
This book not only gives practical advice on how to start and run a business, but more importantly includes the ethical basis for decision-making. I wish more professionals understood the value and long-term advantage of honesty, compassion and competency. This book reads easily and impacts longterm.

Fundamental
The book may well apply for beginning many administrative type businesses, not just bookkeeping services. Extremely fundamental in presentation. It is not written for enlightened professional accountants wishing to expand their bookkeeping services.

Can NOT put it down.
Where I travel, this book travels (work, bed, bathroom, you get the idea). I've been running my own bookkeeping business for a year now, and this has just given me GREAT ideas on how to build it up even more! This book is a must!

Excellent, Practical Advice for Starting a New Business
If you have some basic bookkeeping and tax skills/interests, this book will show you how to put them to use for yourself in straightforward language. The author offers practical advice on all aspects of the business from employees to software to layouts for home businesses. This book is not a detailed book, but it wasn't meant to be. It is obviously designed to be the first book for any would-be entrepreneur interested in the bookkeeping and tax preparation field - and it accomplishes this in spades! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Learn it before using Software like Quickbooks.
I am completely new to accounting and bookkeeping. I wanted a book I could teach myself the basics before using software. I went to my local Borders and found this book was the only one that actually made you DO exercises to make sure you understood what you were learning. So far this book has been great. Accounting terms and concepts can be confusing for normal people like me (chemist) but this book does a great job making you understand by doing and not just reading. There are a few mistakes in the answer section but the book teaches me well enough for me to realize that they are mistakes. Enough said.

Maybe for the student
At best: A simple, clear, student workbook.
At worst: Lame, out of date, historical documentary.

All excercises are hand written and methods do not include any mention of computers, email, spreadsheets, or other standard parts of any modern business. A great way to bore any student to tears, but unreadable for a small business that needs to get the job done quickly.

Good Basic Understanding
When I was trying to find a bookkeeping book it was hard to sort through the many choices offered on Amazon.com. If you are like me and want to get a basic understanding of bookkeeping with a chance to practice then this one will work for you as it provides all of the basics necessary to understand double entry bookkeeping. I had accounting in college many years ago but never really understood bookkeeping. This text walks you through the subject from the ground up. Presented in short lessons with lots of practice exercises it is practical, and well presented. The book has been updated (1999) but it was clearly originally written long ago (the original copyright is 1983) so be prepared to feel as though you are in the 70's as you do the exercises. There are several errors (which begin appearing in Chapter 10) where the answer key does not match even the original data provided in the problem but if you know this (another reviewer had mentioned this when I was researching this book and that was very helpful to know ahead of time) then even their mistakes can be used to keep you on your toes and enhance your learning by trying to discover where the errors are! (The errors aren't so gross that it interfered with my understanding of the material.)

Even though you may never actually do bookkeeping using hand written entries and journals and ledgers as the exercises in the book ask you to do, the understanding of how this all works can help with knowing what is going on behind the scenes in Quickbooks or other accounting software. My only caveat may be that if you don't have any business experience whatsoever, it might not be substantial enough. I would still get this book and then supplement it with other general business books. A great companion whose first 5 chapters mesh well with this book and which then takes you beyond bookkeeping into accounting is The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Accounting Course, Third Edition. The focus of Bookkeeping The Easy Way is small business and the McGraw-Hill book is corporate focused.

Disappointed Professional
It has been awhile since I received my AS degree in Accounting. Therefore, I saw taking a Full Charge Bookkeeping course at Fayetteville Technical Community College as a great opportunity for a review. I did not get past the first 3 chapters before I started finding errors. Some of them were small such as a different company name listed on the answer sheet than was on the homework. But when I got to chapter 10 were I am completing the whole accounting cycle including journalizing transactions, posting to ledgers, preparing trial balances and financial statements, and closing entries, things really got messy. One entire problem in the answer section was wrong. The wrong dollar amount was incorrectly posted to the worksheet which made net income understated. Closing entries were reversed which indicated a net loss instead of net income. I am very upset. I have 4 other classmates and this information is brand new to them. Several of them stopped their work completely becasue they thought they had the wrong answer after checking the answer sheet. I am very disappointed in this book. I have 12 more chapters to go and I do not think things will get any better. I will also write to publisher about this because my classmates and I want our money back. DO NOT GET THIS BOOK!!!!!

professional opinion
I am a bookkeeper and accountant for almost twenty years and this was a great book to brush up on skills I don't use all the time. It was easy and very excellent for beginners as well as professionals as myself. I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Now you can manage your rental property and keep track of important information all in one place: The Rental Organizer. Specially designed for the needs of vacation property owners, The Rental Organizer is convenient, easy to use and best of all, portable--so your vacation property management can go wherever you go!

Track your bookings with the calendar system
Manage guest information and phone numbers
Log expenses and organize receipts
Maintain phone and contact information for maids, maintenance, emergencies and more

Now you can manage your rental property and keep track of important information all in one place:The Rental Organizer.Specially designed for the needs of vacation property owners, The Rental Organizer is convenient, easy to use and best of all, portable--so your vacation property management can go wherever you go!

Track your bookings with the calendar system
Manage guest information and phone numbers
Log expenses and organize receipts
Maintain phone and contact information for maids, maintenance, emergencies and more

Owning a vacation property and renting it out yourself can be very challenging to organize. You’ll be taking multiple inquiries from different vacationers, often for the same week. This one’s name is Mark Daniels and that one’s name is Daniel Marks, how will you keep track of who wanted which week? Or, how about this one: "Oh no! I booked the same week to two different people!" Then there’s the paperwork involved, did you send out the rental rules for Mark or for Dan? Then the payments start coming in. Who paid? Who is due to pay? And who is due for a deposit refund? Then (yes, there’s more) there’s the property itself, did I service the air conditioner last time I was there or was it two-times ago? How about supplies? Was I out of dishwasher detergent or dish soap? Or was it trash bags I needed to buy?

There’s no reason to get overwhelmed. Organizing your rental property business does not have to be a big headache. In fact, if you use The Vacation Rental Organizer to it’s fullest, it can run as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. But it is imperative that you get yourself organized right from day one. ... Read more

Book Description

Bookkeepers' Boot Camp teaches you how to sort through your masses of information and paperwork, how to record what is important for your business, and how to use that information to grow your business for success!

It will give you a greater understanding of the purpose and process of record keeping and a deeper understanding of your business and how it works.

Topics discussed include:
Managing the paper flow
Understanding the balance sheet
Income statements and cash flow statements
Recording the sales cycle
Inventory control
Loans, bonuses, dividends, and company payments ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Essential Read!!
This book really helped me set up my books properly. I had really made a mess of them up until now. It also teaches me the lingo of accounting so I don't feel like such an idiot talking to my accountant! ... Read more

Book Description

If you're one of the country's 20.5 million self-employed businesspeople, here's some news you simply can't afford to ignore . . .

Each year, thousands of hardworking people watch their dreams of successful self-employment go up in smoke because of poor paper management. That's right, one of the main reasons why so many businesses fold nowadays is because their owners never learned how to properly manage their paperwork or keep accurate financial records. Now there's a way to guarantee that your business doesn't get plowed under by an avalanche of complicated paperwork or hurt by inconsistent financial recordkeeping. It's Accounting and Recordkeeping Made Easy for the Self-Employed.

In this new guide written just for the self-employed, business consultant and renowned seminar leader Jack Fox, shows you how to painlessly—and inexpensively—set up and maintain easy-to-follow recordkeeping and accounting systems in your business, whether it's service or manufacturing oriented. Based on his many years of consulting in this area and his own personal experiences, Fox clearly and concisely:

• Arms you with cutting-edge techniques for managing all the financial, clerical, and analytical aspects of running a home-based business
• Describes the latest recordkeeping and accounting software and shows you how to integrate it into your day-to-day operations
• Demystifies accounting and walks you through accounting skills and operations, including accounts receivable, invoicing, and creating and analyzing profit and loss statements
• Provides practical solutions to the most common financial and recordkeeping problems the self-employed face
• Supplies you with numerous case studies, usable worksheets, and sample forms

You don't need to hire an expensive efficiency consultant because Jack Fox shows you how to manage your business in his simple, straightforward system. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not exactly what I expected, but helpful
Half of this book deals with the technology of organizing your own business. While that would have been very helpful in 1994, it is outdated now. If you are new to technology you may still find some good advice in those sections dealing with computer hardware, software (desktop, information management, and accounting). I just skimmed those sections to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

The other half deals with the organization and structure of accounting. I found the first chapter on getting organized particularly helpful. There is also a chapter on dealing with the IRS as a self-employed individual. The remaining few chapters address accounting and bookkeeping.

The accounting information is very good for anyone who knows very little about accounting. However, I found the same level of detail and instruction at the Small Business Administration website. I was hoping to find a little bit more of a how-to guide to setting up my business' accounting structure.

This book is an overview of all the recordkeeping issues that a self-employed person should be concerned with. However, it just didn't give me enough detail to feel secure that I was making the right decisions for my particular type of business. I just may have to use an accountant or tax attorney to get that.

I checked this book out from the library, but I wouldn't purchase it. It just doesn't have the longevity of advice that a true reference book would offer.

Clarifies accounting the way wheat is separated from chaff
Written for business people who want to be accounting and computerized accounting systems literate. No longer does one have to be in awe of the professionals who spout jargon and keep the business person dependent on their supposed expertise. This book represents liberation for the formerly fiscally challenged.

It makes accounting understandable and business easy!
Mr. Fox has a great understanding of the profession and was able to make good sense of a subject that is hard to understand.

Well written but miss titled
I felt the book was well written and he does know his stuff.... but the book was more about the history of computers than a book to learn Accounting principals, which is what I thought I had bought:( What he does write about he does well and you will learn from it A more appropriate title might be "The History of Computers and Chips" with a touch of "Accounting" ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you are just starting your own daycare or have been in business for years, this book is for you!

The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is a great resource for home daycare providers. This 130 page book is packed with all of the financial information necessary to establish and maintain a recordkeeping system. It includes easy-to-follow instructions to determine the Space/Time Formula, a comprehensive listing of often overlooked business expenses, and even step-by-step instructions on completing your Federal tax forms.

There are also 24 reproducible worksheets in the book including mileage logs, inventory sheets, income and expense statements, computer logs, and a variety of federal tax forms.

Insightful tax tips are sprinkled throughout the book and a daycare has been created so that you can view completed forms before preparing your own.

This book is designed to save you money by reducing your taxable income and ensuring you meet the recordkeeping requirements to satisfy the Internal Revenue Service in the event of an audit.

This one time purchase can be used for years to come in conjunction with a free annual income tax update service.

Written by an accountant who also operated a home daycare. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This System works!
The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is chocked full of detailed information (w/examples!) and is a reference tool I continue to use. Every business needs a recordkeeping system and if you are in the DAYCARE business-this book is a must-have for your reference library.

The home daycare complete recordkeeping system
I love this book. It's very detailed and doesn't let you forget a thing about the business of childcare. Keep every dime you earn!! I don't think you will regret the investment.
Try it!

Clear, concise and easy to follow
When you're in business, you don't have time to think about high level concepts -- you just want to know how to get things done. Thompson does an excellent job of giving you the information you need in a format that's easy to follow. I'd recommend this book to anyone who owns a daycare business -- Thompson is thorough in her examples and showed me several areas where I was missing potential deductions. This is a great book for daycare business owners!

Outstanding Resource for Childcare Providers!!!!
As a professional in the childcare industry, it was quite refreshing for me to see such a valuable resource being made available to childcare providers. I have researched all of the various recordkeeping products that are available on the market , and I found that the The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is hands down the best resource currently available! The author of this book has obviously taken alot of time to explain practices and procedures in a manor that is professional as well as educational.

In my professional opinion, The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System is a must have reference book for all childcare providers!

All daycare providers should be aware of this book.
I recently purchased this book, and am extremely pleased with it. It explains how to keep track of expenses to reduce taxable income in a clear and easy to understand format. It was a valuable resource while doing my taxes this year! I highly recommend The Home Daycare Complete Record Keeping System. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Finally someone who understands
I have been in business for the past ten years and have never truly understood or cared about keeping good records. The book breaks down accounting into real life experiences, finally something that I can understand.
It's a must read for all small business people and would recommend it to anyone considering going into business for themselves

recommended for business owners
If you are looking for a resource to help you understand the nuts and bolts of small business accounting, this is an excellent start. The book covers the important issues that business owners need to be aware of without adding a lot of fluff.

**** Recommended for all small business owners looking to understand their finances ****

very very disappointing
don't buy this book, no substance only good for sales

general accounting and finance book
This book is more dictionary, than actual hands on. Also this book is geared to the small business owner (schedule C) or possbile S corp. I was looking for more corporate accounting (C Corp). What you learn is all the most popular accounts to set up. If you already have some basic and immed. knowledge, then this book is more a refresher to you. More likely, I would have my future employees read through it. This way they can understand the basics. Overall, not a bad book, though not for me.

Big picture is great!
I felt "streetwise" after reading this book. I think I learned a lot about what financial statements mean, but this book is POORLY copyedited. Mistakes abound. ... Read more

Book Description

Oprah Winfrey and Phillip McGraw (Dr. Phil) are two of the most beloved talk show hosts today. The Oprah and Dr. Phil Connection is the first book ever to showcase their lives, careers, and the fateful events that brought them together and made them the dynamic duo of the talk show world. This book begins with a vivid description of their childhood days and captures the key events of their lives all the way through to adulthood and eventual success.
Questions that we all have wondered are answered in this book, such as: What was Dr. Phil like as a kid? What was Oprah like as a kid? How did they come together? What were the important events in their lives? What was their secret to success? What can we learn from them? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Their Untold Story
I believe that what's inside a book matters most, and when I bought this book, I basically expected to see mainly things about Oprah and Dr. Phil That I already knew.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that much of the information I didn't know. The book gives you a look a behind-the-scenes look at their lives. It gives you much more than you see on t.v. or read in any other book about either of them.
I found their conversations and situations quite interesting. I found their pasts to also be interesting.
If you want all the information on the two, then this is the book for you. It is truly their untold story.

Even Better Than I Expected!
If you're thinking about buying this book, then it would be a wise decision to get it. Here's my review of the book:

1. CONTENT

The content of this book is outstanding. The book lives up to its promises and really goes in depth about Oprah and Dr. Phils' past and presernt lives, with an emphasis on their special relationship. It really puts you in the moment and covers such topics as the mad cow trial that almost sunk Oprah, Dr. Phil's firs marriage, and more. So as far as content goes this book is excellent.

2. DESIGN

I think the book's cover is fitting. What I really like are some of the old black and white photos of Oprah and Dr. Phil. They're done in a classic style that is reminicsent of the 50's. The color ones are great too. The paper is a smooth cream style that is soft to the touch. A real nice touch for this collector's item. I like the size of the print too, because it allows me to read without having squinch just to see a page.

3. OVERALL

I would give this book more stars if I could. It's best asset is the information is gives. You'll learn the real story behind the Oprah and Dr. Phil here. It's easy to read, not too technical or anything like that.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. It's Well-worth its price.

SGreview
I found this book to be very disappointing. I felt like I was reading a college term paper. The pictures look like they are very low quality and printed off a personal printer. It has font that is very large, I suspect to make it have more pages. The information was decent, just not what I expected. The author seemed to just quote from "O" magazine and talk shows, so it seemed like the book did not have much depth to it. It was not worth the price.

Very Good!
Just when I thought I knew all there was to know about and Dr. Phil, this book came along . . . and being the Oprah fan that I am, I bought it - the best choice I ever made. I opened it thinking that I knew everything in it. Thankfully, I was wrong. This book covers all the important stuff about Oprah (her childhood, rise to success, hard times etc.) but it also covers
Dr. Phil's life, and give us a good idea of where he came from to be the success he is. It covers his special 'connection' with Oprah, and yes, it even covers his relationship with his first wife - something I knew very little about until now. All in all it's a terrific book. If you're an Oprah or Dr. Phil fan, you'll definitely want to have this one on your bookshelf! If you're not, it's still worth the money. ... Read more

Book Description

An ideal key to mastering bookkeeping and accounting essentials, this book also offers practical guidance. It teaches the real-world applications of the concepts discussed via a broad range of 724 answered questions and problems with detailed solutions. Students will also find abundant examples of different types of ledgers and worksheets and how they're used. The exams included, typical of those given at the high school and 2- and 4-year college levels, provide an excellent opportunity to check understanding and boost test performance.

Reviews (1)

What a Lifesaver
Just what I was looking for. College accounting was long ago and unused for many years. This book is a great one for dusting off the brain cells. It is well written, easy to understand, and even has T account diagrams. It's like college in the comfort of my own home. The exercises are to the point and provide ample worksheet space. Much better and certainly more affordable than many textbooks. ... Read more

Book Description

Easy to read/understand explanation of bookkeeping and administration with ample illustrations, designed for the business owner, for those starting a business, and those changing careers or returning to the work force. All the information is relevant and to be used on daily operations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

practical information for starting a small business
Good, basic information for a non financial person who wants to start their own business. Will help someone understand financial statements and how to use them to better manage their business. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Only a workbook
This document (it is not a book) contains 4 pages of bullet point information regarding how to track receipts and disbursements, but in no other way provides information as to the hows and whys of bookkeeping.

The remaining 124 pages of the document are blank forms to be filled out.

The publisher should consider offering this document as a PDF for a per-fee download, and allow buyers to print their own blank forms as necessary.

Small business resource
SMALL BUSINESS BOOKKEEPING SIMPLIFIED is an accounting system for the small business owner. It is designed to ease the burden of filing taxes by using balance sheets and profit and loss statements which are provided in this easy to use workbook. The balance sheet tracks what the business owes, such as debts, in addition to what the business owns, such as property and other assets. The profit and loss statement is used to keep track of money received as well as money paid out.

With detailed instructions for filling out the weekly expense and income record forms, employee payroll records, and other annual reports, this workbook is a must have for any small business. Though it is simply a workbook, small businesses could use this in place of creating their own documents for maintaining information necessary to run their business and also to prepare taxes.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers ... Read more

Book Description

This 98 page book is based on our best selling title, The Home Daycare Complete Recordkeeping System. This new book offers a lighter look into the recordkeeping required to operate this unique home business and is available in English and Spanish.

All the important topics are covered and insightful recordkeeping tips are shared.

Learn how to calculate the Space/Time Percentage, how to track direct and indirect expenses, how to deduct use of your family computer and television, what methods can be used to record the mileage deduction, and so much more!

Examples are provided to guide you through the recordkeeping process and 24 forms are included for your use.

The original book goes into the sometimes challenging world of federal income tax preparation and the process of completing payroll for employees. This book does not delve into these topics.

This book is offered as an option for people who want to learn all they can about the recordkeeping associated with a home daycare, but do not want to get into the nitty gritty tax information. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow! Examples, tips & More!
The Home Daycare Recordkeeping: Your Financial Guide To Success is a must-have if you are in the daycare business. This book has proven to be a GREAT guide for me personally, as it is easy to read giving detailed examples, helpful tips, and chocked full of information I CAN use.

A MUST HAVE book for starting home daycare!
I am starting a home daycare and this book answered ALL of my questions and allowed me to create all the forms I would need to run my business. Very easy to read, very informative and filled with great ideas! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bookkeeping Made Simple
I am an accountant and an instructor for our local college and adult education consortium. I use this book in my Basic Bookkeeping course. I find it to be very good in teaching the students the basics of bookkeeping and helping them understand what is happening in the background of an integrated accounting software program such as Accpac's Simply Accounting! I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to learn the basics of bookkeeping.

This book is great for learning bookkeeping basics
I got this book to learn the basics of bookkeeping for my job. It has short chapters that are step by step lessons in learning the bookkeeping cycle. It is easy to read and understand, even studying on your own. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Solid book, but not quite everything I hoped
This book is filled with sound pratical financial advice!!

I was a little dissapointed that some of the sections were a little to broad. There is so many topics covered that I am sure that it was hard to put in all the information that they wanted to.

My second complaint is that it is not christian enough. There are not as many references to the bible of wanted. Larry burkett has another book, How to manage your money that is more along that line.

Overall, this is a solid book, and provided me with lots of great info ranging from budgeting, buying a car, investing, retiring, and more. ... Read more

Book Description

"A clear and comprehensive road map for the novice and professional investor alike. This book is required reading for those who want to take charge of their financial destiny." -John B. Brynjolfsson, Manager, PIMCO Real Return Bond Fund

You've heard the advice of experts year after year to minimize risk by diversifying into bonds. But bonds can be a lucrative, as well as a safe, investment, particularly when the stock market takes a nose-dive. However, no single source of easily accessible information has been available that uniformly describes bonds, compares their relative strengths and drawbacks, and tells how to select and profit from buying them—until now.

Registered investment advisers Hildy and Stan Richelson have written The Money-Making Guide to Bonds to serve as the authoritative, yet user-friendly, resource on the subject. Over 35 different types of bonds and 20 types of bond funds are described, highlighting the specific advantages, risks, and tax implications of each. This book also explains how to allocate bonds within a portfolio and includes specific strategies for reducing taxes and increasing income.

Stock market declines make investors painfully aware that bonds belong in every portfolio, and The Money-Making Guide to Bonds belongs on every investor's bookshelf.

"This excellent resource is designed for investors of all means and sophistication who want to take responsibility for their own financial lives. It’s one of the best books on bonds I’ve seen." -George D. Kinder, Author, The Seven Stages of Money Maturity ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A fine piece of work
I recently finish reading your book, and would like to compliment you on a well organized and clearly presented analysis of the bond market.
Your discussion of the pros and cons of the various types of bonds as well as the tax consequences of each provides valuable infomation for investors interested in this market. Also, your extensive list of web sites is an excellent research tool for anyone wishing to pursue the subject at length on his own.
Congratulations on a fine peice of work.

Lucille F.

Bonds finally make sense! Thank you!
I had always read about the importance of including bonds in your portfolio--in both bear and bull markets--but I could never get a handle on all the different types available. Thank goodness for this book. I now know the difference between muni bonds and U.S. savings bonds, and why bond funds may not be the best route to diversification. I strongly recommend this to anyone looking to safeguard their portfolio and profit!

A useful and practical guide to an informed investment
Co-written by recognized bond adviser and financial author Hildy Richelson and fee-only financial planner, attorney and coach Stan Richelson, The Money-Making Guide To Bonds: Straightforward Strategies For Picking The Right Bonds And Bond Funds is a useful and practical guide to an informed investment in the bond market. Presented in a direct, no-nonsense tone which is thoroughly accessible to readers of all financial backgrounds, the individual chapters discuss over 35 different types of bonds in detail, complete with their specific advantages and disadvantages, as well as tax issues, ways to protect oneself from risks, how to make the best use of online resources, and more. Though The Money-Making Guide To Bonds cannot replace professional advice or judgement, it is a "must-read" for non-specialist general readers seeking familiarize themselves with the complex bond market before seeing a financial expert who bills by the hour.

Great guide to bonds - and to help balance my portfolio
Stocks, stocks, stocks, IPOs, stocks. Like too many people, I paid too much attention to equities and too little to other investments. I read over and over about creating a balanced portfolio and did - but only to a degree and without paying much attention to the less glamorous parts of my investments. I paid a price when the bubble burst. This book is very helpful to helping understand bonds of various types and how to use them. The authors are clear and unafraid to be be opinionated. I recommend this highly.

Elementary Book on Bonds
While The Money Making Guide to Bonds is well written, it is designed for the novice. For example, the book has a very general discussion of duration with no mathematics. Moreover, convexity is not discussed at all. The authors are enthusiastic about bonds but do not give enough attention to the inflation risk of owning bonds. ... Read more

Book Description

Computerized Bookkeeping in Laymen's Terms a QuickBooks® and small business instruction guide was written for the small business owner who wants the convenience and cost-savings of setting up and running their own bookkeeping system using QuickBooks® but don't know where to start. There are many books that explain bookkeeping, accounting and QuickBooks®, but their explanations begin with the assumption that you the reader already knows accounting. They fail to address the small business owner's questions in understanding the laymen's term -the how, why and what of accounting. Aydlott quickly helps the reader understand such fundamentals spelling out that a balance sheet is a financial statement that reports assets, liabilities, and owners equity on a specific date – by translating it in Laymen’s Terms so the reader understand that a balance sheet is a "How much money do I have, How much money do I owe, and How much money am I worth report?" Thus this guide overcomes the biggest problem of other accounting books that tell you how to set-up QuickBooks®accounts, how to run reports, but they lack in the language and the "That’s nice to show me how to set-up an account, but with what?" by answering the questions that are most commonly asked such as ""What do I need, what are financial reports and how do I get there in steps?"Aydlott makes clear "You need to know the why you are setting up your books a certain way, where the entries come from and go to on your reports, and most importantly, how much money you need over the long haul to make your business work".

Over 340 pages of basic computerized bookkeeping instructions with QuickBooks®graphics that can be used with QuickBooks®versions 2002 to the most current version and translated explanations for the Small Business, Home Based Business and Entrepreneur in Laymen’s Terms. The reader can forget learning each accounting function separately because they won't be remembered anyway. Instead Aydlott shows how to set up your books from point A to point B and keep on top of it throughout the year. The book includes a very important CD that has an Excel or Works compatible Personal Budget, Business Budget, and Business Cash Flow Projection. A Cash Flow Projection is just a clever budget that explains what you think your business will earn, spend and have left over throughout the year.It also includes a basic laymen’s chapter on Business Taxes, how to estimate your tax liability and mistakes to avoid.This instruction guide was written for the Authors clients in mind, giving a greater resource for the most common questions and problems using QuickBooks®and understanding accounting. Throw in the Authors sense of humor and honest approach to bookkeeping, and you won't be board with this informative business book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

You completed my education in bookkeeping
Julie:

I started to read your book and I found that I could not put it down. When I told myself that, I felt like a nerd. What kind of person gets their kicks out of reading tax and bookkeeping stuff.

Well I guess I do! Your book is candy for someone that is interested in bookkeeping.

This book is just the thing to let me have the confidence to face that bad bookkeeping world out there. I knew 95% of everything that I was reading but, I read all of it anyway and you had things in there that I was completely unaware of. When I read these I just sat in awe of what I had just learned.

I went through a wonderful bookkeeping course that taught me everything there is about bookkeeping and the course even had something about getting bookkeeping business but I always felt as if something was missing. I kept searching all over the place for months and I eventually came upon this book.

I have re-read this book a couple of times and use it constantly as a reference. I do not know what my confidence in this business would do without it.

I cannot thank you enough for writing this. ... Read more

Book Description

“Persons beginning a business may have technical knowledge, management skills, or marketing experience, but most likely no knowledge of accounting or record keeping. [He] clearly describes the basics of ledgers, balance sheets, tax forms, accounts receivable, etc. Many updated sample forms are included.”—Booklist. “A book well worth reading...exhaustive detail.”—INC Magazine.
... Read more

Reviews (4)

Out of date
The bookkeeping steps described are still sound. But it's so old that there is no mention of the tremendous help computer software can be. The examples used feel old-fashioned. And the prose itself feels not just out of the '70s, but even the '50s.

Again, I can't fault the writer on the fundamentals of bookkeeping, but this book is TOUGH going.

This book is showing it's age!
This book was written in 1976 and does not appear to have been updated for the 1992 publication. It even states "Mechanical Equipment. In almost any type of business, an adding machine is needed"

The book takes the reader through double-entry book-keeping using a paper-only system for a retail store. If this is what you want then the book is very good, if you do not fit into this catagory then do not bother buying this book!

A contractor from Minnesota
Although this book did have some good information to share on the basics i.e. good record keeping practices and procedures. It was geared towards the retail indistry only. I found the book to be quite dated. (early 90s). It took the cash register and paper approach to record keeping as opposed to any mention of computerized systems and methods available. I'm also suspisious of the Federal tax record keeping requirements etc. As this information provided could also be out of date.

Good
This is was a good one, I also liked organize your books in 6 easy steps, a workbook for the sole proprietor, which is easier to read, but this book gave more explanation to the record keeping process and I am glad I bought it.

It's a great deal for anyone who has to maintain their own books. ... Read more