Basic Bookeeping Services?

[Wordpro Wizard]

Like most of us who aren't bookkeepers by trade, I'm one of those that has receipts in the filing basket, in my pockets and I think there are some in the van as well ... all of which I'll get around to entering into Excel "when I get time". I've been considering getting QB Basic for myself to keep these things in order, taken the tour and read up here about it.

If I buy the basic version and learn to do it for myself perhaps I could offer it as one of my services? - just the basic day to day stuff, expenses, payments, deposits, A/R, A/P, GST and so on.

Lots of QB experts here and I'd appreciate any input. Thanks so much.

Lynne

[bluewaterbusiness]

QB is a great product. You should be fine with the Basic version for your business.

As you mentioned, GST, I am assuming you are in Canada. I am not sure how all the Canadian QB versions compare to the US. I have used both the US and Canadian versions of Multicurrency Premier and Pro, but not basic CN or the CN accountants edition.

Here in the US, I like the accountants version. However, my niche is bookkeeping. I can have clients email me an accountant's copy of their file and do their monthly cleanup, while they are still doing current day to day tasks, then I export my changes back to their copy without messing up their current month. That keeps both parties productive. I can also log in to the client's computer and do the day-to-day activity as needed in their QB copy, if that is what they prefer. Thus, keeping the virtual bookkeeping - virtual, instead of having to go to the clients office to complete the work.

I would say base your decision on your comfort level with the product and bookkeeping in general. Try it on your own business first for several months and see how it goes.

Good Luck!

[Wordpro Wizard]

Angie thanks so much! Yes I'm in Canada and pretty nifty with unknown software. A number of us early birds from the leash free dog park (the bark park ) went to breakfast after running our wolves the other day and I put it to them. Some are work at homes, some are retired - the concensus was it was a service that was sorely needed in every walk of life - just keeping basic stuff organized. It's something I'll look into further. I don't want to do people's taxes or payroll, just the basic stuff ... and that seems to be where there is a need.

Lynne

[Office Goddess]

I specialize in bookkeeping and would definitely use QuickBooks - I highly recommend having an accountant doublecheck your chart of accounts after you set it up to make sure it doesn't have any holes in it.

As far as offering it as a service, I highly recommend AT MINIMUM a basic course in accounting basics and 2-3 years of SUPERVISED bookkeeping experience before providing it to others.

[Wordpro Wizard]

Thanks Lily. I think I'll acquire the basic version, play around with it and see what courses might be offered. I was only considering doing the most basic things. My Accountant? He appears to be in his 80s, with a somewhat Dickensian office, files piled everywhere and a very elderly assistant with glasses perched on the end of her nose. He doesn't use a computer, he uses a pencil. I kid you not ... a pencil! However he finds me every deduction known to man and keeps up to date, is always busy and charges reasonably.

[amdulaney]

I specialize in bookkeeping and would definitely use QuickBooks - I highly recommend having an accountant doublecheck your chart of accounts after you set it up to make sure it doesn't have any holes in it.

As far as offering it as a service, I highly recommend AT MINIMUM a basic course in accounting basics and 2-3 years of SUPERVISED bookkeeping experience before providing it to others.

What is a basic chart of accounts to start with? I have a partnership (my mom) with my VA business. Just need a basic list to catgorize to start with.

Andrea