Bookkeeping Work from Home

When running a work from home business one of the biggest challenges is keeping the books straight. Taxes, invoices, customer outlays, contacts lists, and on and on and on; it can be a daunting task. Some of us are not very nimble with these sorts of things and in previous endeavors have avoided them like the plague. However, keeping the records straight is the life blood of a successful business and carries with it a tremendous influence in determining the ventures outcome. Good business people who thrive at accounting, records and bookkeeping may take the requisite time out of their busy day for such tasks, if not, then they hire somebody who can. It is essential to do so in this fast paced world. But if struggling to keep records up and running seems baffling while taking up more time than it should, and the balance sheet precludes hiring an accountant or bookkeeper; then like the cavalry riding over the hill to our rescue, in this computer age comes accounting and bookkeeping soft ware.

Citizens of industrialized countries worldwide use or are exposed to some form of computer based accounting methods whether they intend to or not. Every time a personal check is cashed or deposited or someone uses an ATM machine the electronic wheels are turning. So is a personalized software accounting program necessary to compete in business today? The answer depends on the type of business and the personal skills of its owners. All business needs some kind of accounting. Even the third-grade lemonade stand better be able to account for expenses and payments it they wish to keep the thirsts of the neighbors quenched. The industrious kids can probably get by with paper and pen ledgering, but most businesses need a little more. And software accounting programs are an additional expense, but for most, the investment is well worth it the cost.



The newer versions of small business software are so user friendly that even accounting klutzes like me think we are bookkeeping wizards when operating one of these systems. The most popular is Quick Books, a program offered by Intuit, a pioneering American software company. Work for Home business owners cite many reasons for choosing Quick Books, among them that there are a wealth of resources available offering help with problems and questions. Dozens of on-line courses, websites and blogs exist and there are numerous experts offering pertinent advice. Some charge a few bucks, but most are happy to lend a useful tip or two. Many Certified Public Accountants (CPA) recommend Quick Books for everyday business record keeping. In some measure because it aids the CPA hired to examine a business’s quarterly ledgers or at tax time.



Quick Books can be accessed though on-line subscriptions charging monthly fees, or by purchase of software in a box. One of the favorable attributes of Quick Books is that it can be tailored to meet the varying needs of individual businesses, and the costs are measured accordingly. With add-on programs and on-line tutoring, just about all business accounting needs can be met.



Intuit introduced one of the first personal accounting software programs in 1984 with Quicken, when the company’s founders saw a need for folks at home to have a faster, more accurate, and easier system of keeping up with household finances. Quicken is still available today and can be assessed as free down loadable software.



Quick Books followed in 1992 as a payroll processing program for small business. Today in addition to everyday bookkeeping, latest versions like Quick Books Pro, 2008 are capable of managing on-line banking and bill service payments.

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