Question for Quickbooks users

[catsigler]

Can you set up fields in Quickbooks to input the quilt length and width and charge per sq. in., and automatically calculate the quilt size and cost.

I'm trying to evaluate Quickbooks using a free trial version but it's turning out to be a waste of time. Everything I attempt results in a popup window telling me I have to buy the Pro version to use this feature or that feature.

Thanks.

[quiltmonkey]

Short answer is Yes, you can.

[BethDurand]

Okay, so anyone want to do a lesson on using quickbooks? My husband bought it for me, and says that I need to learn to do it. Sure dear, as soon as I finish quilting the 10 customer quilts that are on the board downstairs, and do the alterations that people gave me on Friday.

Really, any suggestions on starting/using quickbooks would be much appreciated.

Beth

[quiltmonkey]

Well, I went through the software tutorial (which is excellent), and then later, I met with my CPA and she worked with me to set up my accounts. I wanted easy-peasy accounting, not too complicated (I can always revise it later). I told my CPA that she is my client with this tax stuff, so whatever is easiest and less headache for her as the end product, then this is way cool for me. She showed me how it can calculate the total square inches on the invoices to get the cost of the quilting. But, don't ask me for expert advice on Quickbooks because I am still very very green and very new to this software, too. I'm still in the extreme beginner stage. In fact, I am going to go through the tutorial again for a refresher. Good luck, Beth!

[Mary Beth]

I work at the county extension office and we have a business development specialist. If you all have an extension office with a business development department you need to contact them. They have tons of info for new business. They also offer classes pretty reasonably. I have taken a class on Quick Books and it helped - I've been using it for 3 years but just recently took the class and I learned so much.

[AnnHenry]

Google

"quickbooks tutorial"

and try some of the free tutorials which may be more helpful in that they are not trying to sell you something.

Keeping in mind that I am so new I don\'t have my machine yet (although I have done the bookkeeping for our previous business) I\'m thinking that a software program specifically for longarm quilters would be easier to use. Quickbooks is a major accounting program, isn\'t it?, and therefore would have lots of bells and whistles that we will never use.

Just "thinking out loud / on paper / on the Internet" as it were . . .

[Patsydee]

I used the free trial of Quickbooks until I had used up the 20 accounts they give you. I then purchased the Simple Start Version, about $80-$90. There is a list of questions you can answer that will help you choose the version best for your business. The customer list, expense list, sales tax calculation report, invoice, etc seem very easy. I do the calculation for square inches and the program figures the cost and sales tax. There are other programs designed for longarmers, but this was very user friendly for me. Good luck.

[J.A.M.]

I have quick books simple start. It is GREAT. You can buy it from Ebay for about half the price . I just upgraded to the 2008 today. and I have the 2005.

[Cindy Hodge]

For machine quilters' specific accounting software, check out "Machine Quilters Business Manager" software by Eureka Documentation. I just ordered my copy ($175.), but haven't received it yet so I can't answer any real questions about it. But, it looks like it's going to be easy-peasy and just what I need. there's a video about it that you can watch on the website. I'm currently taking a small business class through "SCORE" (I'm not sure if that's a national thing or just local) and the class covers business plans, financials, customers etc. The financial portion of the class used Quickbooks and from what I could gather...it didn't really apply to my machine quilting business...or at least not easily, that I could tell. Then I found MQBM, and I can't wait to get it in the mail to get started! who would ever think I'd get excited over accounting? the MQBM software is specifically for machine quilting. Just plug in the info and it does all the rest. I'll let you know more after i get it up and running.

[quiltmonkey]

Hi Cindy, yes I have heard good things about the Eureka software, so you are in good hands. I have been using Quickbooks because mainly that is what my CPA uses so when tax time comes, she can pull all of my transactions and reports from my USB thumb drive using her Quickbooks software at the office. Both software are good and easy to use. My CPA and I designed my Quickbooks using the KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid) and it works fabulous. I can do data entry quickly --- create my invoices, record payments and reconcile my credit card and checking account statements. I am set up on a "Cash" basis so I don't mess with inventory. My busines is VERY small (very part time) and I don't have a bunch of customers or backlog. So the way I have it set up works well.

Oh and I have to agree with you that SCORE (or SBDC) Small Business Development) is a great resource! I took several classes there before startup; I wrote a business plan, spoke with advisors to guide me, and had all my ducks in a row before I took the leap to start the business.

[shirleyl]

Also some colleges offer online courses on it.

[Mary Beth]

I took a beginner class....still don't get it, and I usually don't have a problem learning a new program. Now, that being said, I hate numbers. So I'm sure that is where my mental block is coming from.