17May 2010 by Nancy Smyth

QuickBooks Tip – Working With Contractors – Part 4

Be A Better Bookkeeper, Construction News, QuickBooks Corner
Congratulations, you have just picked up your first construction client! As an Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, a "contractor" or a Bookkeeper/Office Manager has contacted you for a contractor because they need "help" with their QuickBooks file.  The chances are good that you have completed one of the various "New Client Interviews" that are readily available, you arrive at the contractor's office, and start to review their current QuickBooks setup only to find: A Chart of Accounts that is so long it could easily be considered a "book" OR one that is so short you wonder how they manage to keep accurate records. An Item List that is so long that it too could be considered a "book" OR one that consists of only a few items. A Payroll Item List that…
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14May 2010 by Nancy Smyth

QuickBooks Tip – Working with Contractors – Part 3

Be A Better Bookkeeper, Construction News, QuickBooks Corner
How contractors view business management covers a wide range of emotions; from a "necessary evil" to those who want and need their information "NOW" (or yesterday) in order to be able to make better day-to-day operating and financial decisions.For the most part, contractors are NOT "business people" - they are highly skilled craftspeople who prefer to work in the field doing what they do best....building things.  They hate being stuck in an office in front of a computer faced with a pile of paperwork; and while they may recognize that their current accounting method isn't optimal, if it's working well enough (in their opinion) they simply leave it alone.Although this group of contractors may not be actively looking to solve their financial pain, they can and do strongly identify with…
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13May 2010 by Nancy Smyth

QuickBooks Tip – Working With Contractors – Part 2

Be A Better Bookkeeper, QuickBooks Corner
The word "contractor" is a vague and widely misused term which cover everyone from the local handyman who makes repairs/improvements on your house to the contractor who is building or repairing a bridge on your local highway. Who are contractors? Understanding the different types of contractors and the roles that they play in the construction industry will enable you to realize just how different their QuickBooks accounting and compliance needs will be.  "Contractors" are "construction-related" businesses including: Your "local handyman" - who is a jack of all trades and does a little of everything. He will work on various "jobs" for private homeowners and usually bills on a Time & Materials or Cost Plus basis. General/Prime Contractors - A general contractor will take full responsibility for the completion of the…
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28Sep 2009 by Nancy Smyth

Review-QuickBooks 2010, Easier Registration with possible “glitch”

QuickBooks 2010 - What's New?, QuickBooks Corner
QuickBooks 2010 registration seems much more automated, with as much as possible being handled online.  In most cases, this should mean that users who upgrade will have to input less data, which will save them time and trouble. However, there's a potential problem that can occur in Steps 3-5 that you need to watch out for.  If you begin registration and have a file open, the data in the file will automatically populate the registration fields. If the open file doesn't contain the information you need to use for registration this could be troublesome.  I had a "test file open when I began the registration process".  So in MOST circumstances this should not be a problem. If you notice that this is happening onscreen, delete the incorrect data and then fill in the correct data. …
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29Jan 2009 by Nancy Smyth

Intuit Launches “Small Business United” program

QuickBooks Corner
Intuit has launched a "Small Business Untied" program which provides Small Business Solutions to Help Entrepreneurs Thrive. On the heels of announcements by other companies of massive layoffs, Intuit is doing it's part to help stimulate the economy be offering over $350,000.00 in small business grants and free software. Intuit's Small Business United program is a multi-phase initiative that will bring a much needed stimulus package to more than 27 million small businesses in the country. This stimulus package includes more than $350,000.00 in small business grants and donations, plus free business tolls and products from Intuit. For additional information about the Small Business United program, visit https://smallbusiness.intuit.com/
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