[SusanStudies]

I’ve been asked to maintain the books for an up-and-coming artist. It would just be a part-time, second job for me. I’ve never done bookkeeping as a side job. Any information I need to know or should consider before starting this? What’s the best small-business software out there these days?

Thanks!

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[kandisjoy]

I was looking into FreshBooks since I'm the treasurer of my roller derby league (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association). I'm going to start officially using it on Jan 1st. I'm not sure yet, but it looked pretty schnazy to me. :o)

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[SusanStudies]

Thanks, Kandis! I will look into FreshBooks. It has been awhile since I was on here and I see you've received your license. Congrats! And I LOVE the roller derby name 🙂

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[kandisjoy]

Thank you and thank you! 🙂 Good luck on your upcoming test!!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[SusanStudies]

Thanks, I need all the luck I can get right now. I've had so much going on that I have not been as dedicated to FAR as I should have been. I'm planning on a power week of studying between Christmas and New Years. I hope I can finish the remaining lectures (4 modules) leaving myself 2 weeks to review, review, review.

AUD: 07/11/11 - Passed
BEC: 08/27/11 - Passed
FAR: 01/17/12 - Passed
REG: 04/30/12; Re-take 7/16/12 - Passed

FINISHED!!!!!!!!

[mandy8041]

The simplest and easiest to use software is QuickBooks in my opinion. We recommend it to all of our clients because it is so simple and easy.

FAR- 75
REG- 82
BEC- 73, 79!! Its over. Am I dreaming?
AUD- 74, 74, 88

[Anonymous]

I agree with the QuickBooks recommendation. I converted every little nonprofit I volunteered for to QuickBooks — and for about $40 a month, you can put your client on QuickBooks Online (although some of its features are a little clunky) and NEVER have to back up again. And it will all be there for the next bookkeeper should you retire.

[mandy8041]

Although there are some conveniences about QB online, I really prefer the desktop version. Online is great for people that dont have an accounting background, but the desktop is a one time fee of 200 bucks and its much easier to toggle. Example, online you have to use the back arrow to get back to something and on the desktop version, you can just view all open reports and easily toggle between them.

FAR- 75
REG- 82
BEC- 73, 79!! Its over. Am I dreaming?
AUD- 74, 74, 88

[jelly]

I don't know if you're just doing entry or tax compliance reporting as well. If you're involved with taxes, be very careful with payroll worker classification laws (W2 employee vs 1099 independent contractor) and state income taxes, especially if the artist has done work or presented outside his/her state of residency. Also find out if any quarterly payroll taxes were filed on time, or self-employment taxes (federal due 12/20).

Quickbooks is probably the most commonly used accounting software out there. As mentioned, the desktop edition is easier to toggle. A major design feature (or flaw) with the online edition is that all completed bank reconciliations are static (when you print out the report) which is great for internal control purposes, but an utter trainwreck to determine the new book balance when there are adjustments made afterwards. And very rarely, but it has happened in the last few months or so, the online edition completely crashed and was unavailable for nearly 24 hours.

Couldn't pass again!

[Mark Hall]

I do part-time bookkeeping and use QuickBooks hosted on cloud from Real Time Cloud Services. This software is very impressive and with cloud I am able to access it from anywhere.

[jgrfan1]

Hi, Mark,

I'm evaluating taking on accounting / tax work for a second income – just curious, how are you compensated as a part time bookkeeper and what type of industry are your clients in? Is it an hourly deal or are you paid a set amount per period? How did you hook up with them? Do you have a full time job and do the bookkeeping on the side?

I'm thinking of starting my own business and I'm looking for input from folks that are having some measure of success working on their own.

Thanks.

BEC - 5/2012 - 91
AUD - 8/2012 - 89
REG - 1/2013 - 90
FAR - 5/2013 - 88
Wife, 2 kids and a job

[Author]

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