Idiots guide to basic bookkeeping wanted please

Lucyjaynecummings

Hi,

I do our book-keeping for our charity, I'm not a trained book-keeper and have never been on a course, but I do OK, we have an accountant who comes in once a quarter to double check what I'm doing. but I use the dummies guide: Book-keeping for Dummies http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookkeeping-Dummies-UK-Paul-Barrow/dp/0470058153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279535526&sr=8-1 its really easy to use and really helps with my understanding what Auditors want etc.

If you only have a few entries every month just try and make everything as simple and easy for yourself, my accountant keeps telling me the more simple it is the less likely at making mistakes. I also keep a notebook with everything I do in my own words so for example, monthly reports are done in the same way every month but I often forget/not remember exactly how to do it every month so I wrote it down in my own words then when I get stuck I can do it. Every company/charity is different so don't be hard on yourself, as Peter said it is a profession.

Lucy

Ed1982

Are you still having problems with this?

mum2one

flea72 wrote: »

me again

have a look at this

http://www.osbornebooks.co.uk/files/af_bookkeeping.pdf

F

You are absolutely wonderful, thank you, -I've downloaded as well, as guess be coming in very useful, b4 start booking course xx

mum2one

downshifter wrote: »

Thanks Sue, helpful as ever. I'm struggling on with this at the moment. I may just be almost there, only one bit to find now and it near enough balances and the dog needs to go walkies and I'm desperate for bed. Next time I shall make sure I've got some chocolate in.

One enormous lesson this has taught me is to keep really good records, for example I can see that my predecessor's salary for Jan, Feb, Mar was paid in April, but can't find why. I also see that her pay and expenses were all lumped together into one item, though must've been separate at some point as the tax was paid. But I can't find out where and trying to find my way round someone else's records, which actually seem very neat and sensible - is not easy.

I'm going to find a good book or basic course and really gen up on this, I don't want to be burning the midnight oil next year too. I shall also follow up the advice everyone's given me on here. I also plan to have the accounts as an item on the September meeting, to ensure that I'm not the only one who knows what's in the kitty and what isn't otherwise they'll spend merrily away!

DS

Just a thought but most colleges do basic book keeping course, usually 10 weeks, 2 hrs on 1 evening a week, then the next stage is SAGE - computerised accounts, (thats our local college), but most colleges will do that.
xx

downshifter

Ed1982 wrote: »

Are you still having problems with this?

I think I always will thank you, my kids call me numerically challenged. However, for now and with all this help, I've submitted to the auditor and so far nothing has come back covered in red pen - it's now a week later.

It's been a lesson well learnt, I have to say, and I intend to be meticulous with the records from now on. To be fair, my predecessor was too, it's just that I didn't understand them and couldn't see how she arrived at her figures, lots of stuff would have been in her head. After following links and advice on here, and others, a few pennies dropped so I have started a sheet at the front of the finances file which gives a running total of all cheques in and out, all direct debits/standing orders and things will get ticked off as they go through the bank, not before, so there is a true picture of where we are.

Thanks to everyone

DS