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Robert (Bob) Steele

QuickBooks Online bookkeeping business designed for small business clients or small businesses who want a simple cash basis format for entering data. 

This course is designed for bookkeepers and is also useful for small business owners who want a simple system for entering financial data into QuickBooks for financial planning and year-end tax preparation.

The bookkeeping system we discuss will also describe the relationship between the bookkeeper, the business, and the year-end tax and financial statement preparers.

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QuickBooks Online bookkeeping business designed for small business clients or small businesses who want a simple cash basis format for entering data. 

This course is designed for bookkeepers and is also useful for small business owners who want a simple system for entering financial data into QuickBooks for financial planning and year-end tax preparation.

The bookkeeping system we discuss will also describe the relationship between the bookkeeper, the business, and the year-end tax and financial statement preparers.

We will outline a cash basis bookkeeping system using QuickBooks, a system that will enter most transactions directly into the check register.

The course will discuss the responsibilities of a bookkeeper and the responsibilities of the business when a bookkeeping engagement in entered into. 

We will work through a sample bookkeeping project in QuickBooks including the setting up of a new QuickBooks company file.

The course will practice entering data into the QuickBooks register directly from a bank statement. We will provide practice bank statements to use with the project as well as step by step instructional videos.

As we enter data directly into the check register from the bank statement, we will compare and contrast the cash basis system we are using to a full accounting cycle system. We will also review the financial statements periodically to see how QuickBooks is using the data to make reports.

After entering data into the QuickBooks check register from the bank statement, we will perform bank reconciliations. As we perform bank reconciliations, we will discuss what a bank reconciliation is and the benefits a bank reconciliation provides.

The course will then discuss options for entering specific accounting data into QuickBooks including payroll, equipment, loan payments, insurance, credit card payments, and invoices. We will provide practice QuickBooks files for different options related to the items listed above and explore the pros and cons of each option. The bookkeeping options will help tailor our system to our specific bookkeeping needs.

As we enter accounting data into the system we will discuss common questions we will have when entering the first few months of data and how to write down these questions, move forward with data input, and organize the financial data so that we can quickly go back to it once our client questions are answered.

This course will discuss, print, and export month end and year end reports, reports a bookkeeper may provide to clients monthly and reports the business will need at year-end for tax preparation.

We will discuss year-end adjusting entries. The bookkeeping system we propose will depend on an outside accounting firm, tax preparer, or CPA firm to help with the year-end adjusting entries. As bookkeepers we want to be aware of the adjusting entry process so we can work with any year-end accounting firm, tax preparer, or CPA firm. We will enter common adjusting entries into an adjusting entry Excel worksheet and into Quickbooks.

Finally, we will discuss whether or not to enter the year-end adjusting entries into our QuickBooks bookkeeping system and different options to do so.

In addition to the instructional videos, this course will include downloadable  

•    Excel practice files

•    Downloadable PDF Files  

Excel practice files will be preformatted and will generally have at least two tabs, one tab with the completed work and a second tab with a preformatted worksheet we can fill in as we watch the instructional videos.   

Who will we be learning from?  

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to outline a simple bookkeeping system for a small business using quickbooks online
  • How to network between the bookkeeper, business owner, and year-end tax accounting firm, cpa firm or tax preparer
  • How to set up a simple bookkeeping company file in quickbooks online and store it on a computer
  • How to use an easy method to enter financial data into quickbooks online from the bank statement
  • How to identify common problems when entering financial data and strategies for overcoming them
  • How to reconcile the bank accounts in quickbooks online
  • How to analyses payroll options including the options to work with a third-party payroll company or to enter payroll into quickbooks
  • The basics of entering payroll into quickbooks online
  • How to enter equipment purchases into quickbooks online
  • How to enter loan payments into quickbooks online
  • How to enter insurance payments into quickbooks online
  • How to enter credit card charges into quickbooks online
  • How to format month-end and year-end reports using quickbooks online
  • How to enter adjusting entries into quickbooks online or prior year and work with accounting firms, cpa firms, or tax preparer to help with them
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Syllabus

Introduction
Bookkeeping Project Outline and Plan Using QuickBooks
2 Bookkeeping Project Outline and Plan
Data Files and Answer Keys
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a practical understanding of QuickBooks Online, which is widely used by small businesses for their bookkeeping needs
Explores the relationship between bookkeepers, businesses, and tax professionals, which is crucial for effective financial management and compliance
Focuses on a cash basis bookkeeping system, which is a simple and common method for small businesses to track their finances
Requires learners to have access to QuickBooks Online, which may require a subscription fee
Covers year-end adjusting entries, which are typically handled by accounting firms or CPAs, suggesting a need for external expertise
Uses bank statements to enter data directly into the check register, which is a standard practice in bookkeeping

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Reviews summary

Simple quickbooks online bookkeeping

Learners say this course provides a simple, practical way to do small business bookkeeping with QuickBooks Online. It focuses on a cash basis method, using bank statements for data entry and covering tasks like bank reconciliations, payroll, and reports. Students appreciate the hands-on practice and helpful videos and files. However, the focus on simplicity means it might not suit complex accounting needs, and frequent QBO updates can make videos slightly outdated. It's seen as a strong start for new QBO bookkeepers.
Learn payroll, loans, reports.
"It covers all the basic QBO functions I need for small business clients."
"The sections on handling payroll options and loans were particularly useful."
"Learning to generate the key month-end and year-end reports is essential for my work."
Streamlined approach for easy entry.
"I appreciate the focus on the simple cash method for bookkeeping."
"Using the check register as taught makes data entry much easier."
"This 'easy way' approach is perfect for someone new to QBO for a small business."
Hands-on practice with real tasks.
"Working through the example using the bank statement was incredibly helpful."
"The step-by-step examples make it easy to follow along in QBO."
"I feel like I can actually apply these skills to a real business now."
Software changes may affect videos.
"The QuickBooks Online interface looks a bit different from the videos sometimes."
"Some menus and features seem to have moved with QBO updates, requiring some searching."
"You may need to adapt the lessons slightly to the current version of QBO."
May not suit complex businesses.
"This course is best suited for simple cash basis bookkeeping; it doesn't cover accrual."
"If you need a deep dive into more complex accounting, this might be too basic."
"It provides a solid foundation but doesn't cover every QBO feature or scenario."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in QuickBooks Online-Bookkeeping Business-Easy Way with these activities:
Review Basic Accounting Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental accounting concepts to better grasp the nuances of QuickBooks Online's bookkeeping system.
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of assets, liabilities, and equity.
  • Study the difference between cash and accrual accounting.
  • Practice journal entries for common business transactions.
Read 'Bookkeeping for Dummies'
Gain a broader understanding of bookkeeping principles to complement the QuickBooks Online-specific knowledge taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on setting up a chart of accounts.
  • Study the sections on recording transactions and preparing financial statements.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Set up a sample company file in QuickBooks Online
Practice setting up a new company file in QuickBooks Online to familiarize yourself with the initial configuration process.
Show steps
  • Create a new QuickBooks Online account (trial version is sufficient).
  • Configure the company settings, including industry and business type.
  • Set up a basic chart of accounts relevant to a small business.
  • Customize the dashboard to display key financial information.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Reconcile bank statements in QuickBooks Online
Master the bank reconciliation process in QuickBooks Online to ensure accurate financial records.
Show steps
  • Download sample bank statements from online resources.
  • Enter transactions from the bank statement into QuickBooks Online.
  • Perform the bank reconciliation process, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
  • Review the reconciliation report to ensure accuracy.
Create a cheat sheet for common QuickBooks Online shortcuts
Compile a list of useful QuickBooks Online shortcuts to improve efficiency and speed up data entry.
Show steps
  • Research common QuickBooks Online shortcuts.
  • Organize the shortcuts by category (e.g., navigation, data entry, reporting).
  • Create a visually appealing cheat sheet using a word processor or graphic design tool.
  • Share the cheat sheet with other students in the course.
Explore 'QuickBooks Online for Dummies'
Deepen your understanding of QuickBooks Online's features and functionalities beyond the specific bookkeeping system taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on advanced features, such as inventory management and payroll.
  • Explore the sections on troubleshooting common issues and errors.
  • Experiment with different features and settings in QuickBooks Online.
Develop a month-end reporting package for a sample client
Create a professional-looking month-end reporting package to showcase your bookkeeping skills to potential clients.
Show steps
  • Select a sample client and gather relevant financial data.
  • Generate key financial reports in QuickBooks Online, such as the income statement and balance sheet.
  • Analyze the reports and identify key trends and insights.
  • Create a summary report highlighting the key findings and recommendations.
  • Package the reports and summary into a professional-looking document.

Career center

Learners who complete QuickBooks Online-Bookkeeping Business-Easy Way will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper is responsible for recording financial transactions, and this course directly prepares you for the role. This course teaches a simplified cash basis bookkeeping system using QuickBooks Online, which is especially useful for small businesses. A bookkeeper often works with a business owner and a tax professional, and this course explicitly addresses those relationships. The course provides practice entering data directly from bank statements for multiple months, performing bank reconciliations, and handling payroll, equipment, loan payments, insurance, credit cards, and invoices all within QuickBooks. These are all critical skills for a bookkeeper. Also, the course discusses generating month-end and year-end reports for clients and tax preparation.
Small Business Owner
This course is valuable for a small business owner, who often handles their own finances. The course teaches the essentials of using QuickBooks Online to manage finances, from recording transactions to generating financial statements. A small business owner will find the modules on setting up a company file, entering data from bank statements, and performing bank reconciliations especially practical. Training in handling payroll, equipment, loans, insurance, and credit card payments will also be quite useful. The course prepares a small business owner to understand all the financial reports a business might need, including those for tax preparation.
Data Entry Clerk
A data entry clerk is responsible for entering data into accounting systems, and this course provides an introduction to this function. This course focuses on cash basis accounting using QuickBooks Online, making it immediately relevant for a data entry clerk. The course directly addresses entering data from bank statements, including deposits and outflows. The course also covers entering transactions such as payroll, equipment purchases, loans, and credit cards. A data entry clerk may use the skills in this course to improve accuracy and speed.
Accounting Assistant
An accounting assistant provides support to accounting departments and this course offers valuable training for the role. This course includes practical training in QuickBooks Online with a focus on the cash basis system. An accounting assistant may find this beneficial, as many companies utilize QuickBooks for managing their finances. The course covers entering data, performing reconciliations, and generating reports, all typical tasks expected of an accounting assistant. The discussion of different types of transactions, such as payroll, loans, and credit card charges, will help someone be more confident in performing their daily duties. This course will give an accounting assistant a more thorough view of their work.
Accounting Clerk
An accounting clerk assists with recording financial transactions, and this course offers a solid foundation in QuickBooks that can help someone enter this field. The course focus on entering data directly from bank statements, using a cash basis bookkeeping approach, which is a common task for an accounting clerk. The course provides hands on practice with bank reconciliations, handling various transactions such as payroll, equipment purchases, loan payments, insurance, and credit card charges. All of these are relevant to an accounting clerk's daily tasks. Also, this course covers generating reports, which is a key component of the accounting process. Learning how to use QuickBooks is a significant asset.
Payroll Administrator
A payroll administrator is responsible for processing payroll, and this course provides essential insights into managing payroll within QuickBooks. This course covers various payroll options, including working with a third party payroll company and processing payroll directly in QuickBooks. It provides the basics of payroll data entry, which helps a payroll administrator understand where the data goes. The course also discusses how to categorize payroll payments, helping with the initial setup of payroll accounting. Knowledge of QuickBooks Online is beneficial for a payroll administrator.
Office Manager
An office manager often handles various administrative and financial tasks for a small business, and this course can help build relevant skills. Learning the bookkeeping system in QuickBooks, as emphasized in this course, can enhance the office manager's ability to handle basic financial transactions. The skills taught will help with tasks such as entering data from bank statements, bank reconciliations, and generating reports. An office manager may also find the modules on payroll, equipment, loans, insurance, and credit card payments quite helpful. This foundational knowledge of accounting is a valuable asset to an office manager.
Staff Accountant
A staff accountant handles daily accounting tasks, and this course may help with the use of QuickBooks. This course provides practical training working with QuickBooks to manage financial data. The course provides hands-on practice with entering data, reconciling bank accounts, and generating reports. It also covers various kinds of transactions such as insurance, loans, and credit cards. The training in generating and understanding reports, as taught in this course, will help a staff accountant be more effective in their role. While a staff accountant typically requires a bachelor's degree, this course may be useful toward gaining practical skills.
Tax Preparer Assistant
A tax preparer assistant helps with tax preparation, and this course may help them understand the preliminary steps in the tax filing process. A tax preparer assistant often works with client financial records, and this course teaches them how those records are created in QuickBooks. The course covers entering financial data, reconciling bank accounts, and generating month-end and year-end reports, all of which are crucial for tax preparation. The course also touches on adjusting entries, which gives insight into the year-end accounting process. Understanding how the data is organized in Quickbooks may help a tax preparer assistant do their work more efficiently and effectively.
Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant performs various clerical tasks, and this course may be helpful for some of the work they do. Many administrative assistants handle basic financial tasks, and this course provides a foundation in QuickBooks Online. The course focuses on the cash basis method, which is common for small businesses. This course covers data entry, reconciling accounts, and generating basic reports all within the QuickBooks platform. This course also provides a basic understanding of payroll, loans, insurance, and credit card transactions. The skills learned here can enhance an administrative assistant's capacity.
Financial Data Analyst
A financial data analyst works with financial information to find trends, and this course may be useful in building a foundation for data collection. While this course focuses on bookkeeping, the skills learned here can help a financial data analyst understand the sources of financial data. Using QuickBooks to enter transactions, generate reports, and work with financial statements provides a picture of how financial data is created and used. The focus on bank reconciliations and handling various transactions will help someone better understand the data they may later need to analyze. This understanding may help a financial data analyst refine their research inquiries.
Financial Analyst
A financial analyst interprets financial data to provide insights, and this course may help them understand the nature of the data they will work with. This course emphasizes how financial data is organized within QuickBooks, from entering transactions to generating reports. While not directly related to analysis, the skill of understanding data organization is valuable. This course covers bank reconciliations and various transaction types giving a financial analyst a clearer picture of how data is collected in practice. A basic understanding of financial processes can help a financial analyst refine their questions and work more efficiently.
Business Operations Specialist
A business operations specialist works to improve business efficiency, and this course may help with a business's financial processes. This course demonstrates a simple accounting system using the cash basis within QuickBooks. This system might be implemented by a business operations specialist looking to streamline finances for a small business. The course covers key topics like data entry, bank reconciliations, and report generation. It also discusses handling entries for payroll, equipment, loans, and credit cards. A business operations specialist may use this course to understand and improve financial processes.
Project Manager
A project manager oversees projects and budgets, and this course may help with project budget tracking. The course teaches how to use QuickBooks to track financial transactions, which include revenues and expenses, for a project, which will allow for a project manager to better understand a project's overall financial situation. This course covers entering various kinds of transactions, generating reports, and reconciling bank accounts. The course also discusses month end and year end accounting reports and their uses. All these are important to ensure a project completes on time and within budget.
Business Consultant
A business consultant advises businesses on best practices, and this course may be useful for analyzing data. By learning how financial data is input and managed in QuickBooks, a business consultant may better understand the systems used by small businesses. An understanding of the bookkeeping process taught in this course may help a business consultant make more informed recommendations. The course teaches how the data is used to generate reports and the relationship between bookkeeping and year-end taxes. A business consultant who possesses financial literacy will be more effective.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in QuickBooks Online-Bookkeeping Business-Easy Way.
Serves as a comprehensive guide to using QuickBooks Online, covering a wide range of features and functionalities. It provides step-by-step instructions and practical examples to help users navigate the software effectively. While the course provides a specific bookkeeping system, this book offers a broader perspective on QuickBooks Online's capabilities. It is particularly useful for exploring advanced features and troubleshooting common issues.
Provides a comprehensive overview of bookkeeping principles, making it an excellent resource for beginners. It covers essential topics such as setting up a chart of accounts, recording transactions, and preparing financial statements. While the course focuses on QuickBooks Online, this book offers valuable background knowledge and context. It is particularly helpful for those who are new to bookkeeping and need a solid foundation before diving into the software.

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