When you start your own company then it is important not to neglect your accounting. You will need to keep excellent records for tax purposes. You may find that you are not in the position to hire anyone to help you with this. Here is a guide to basic bookkeeping for new business start ups.
You may feel that the best idea is to enroll on a course to help you learn some basic computer skills using office software. This is worth doing if you really have no clue on how these types of packages work. You may find some good office software for free, but for the best known brand you will need to pay.
Before you start working on computers to sort out your accounting it is worth taking time to learn more traditional methods of bookkeeping. This is when books were used to record all transactions rather than being kept on a PC. Spreadsheets and specialized accounting packages are now more commonly used.
The books are called ledgers and this is where you recorded anything to do with finances. The sales ledger is where everything you sell is recorded, including price, when payment was made and the date. Another ledger is set aside for any purchases which are made through the company.
A cash book is basically like your bank statement. The dates of cleared payments will be noted down which will differ slightly from your other ledgers. And the fourth book is for records of all your business assets.
These books are then used to create comprehensive accounts. You can find your profit gain or losses and create a balance sheet as well as a cash flow forecast. These are essential records which need to be kept in a safe place. You will then be able to show your information to the IRS at the end of the tax year.
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