Hi there,

I'm looking to learn some basic book-keeping, with possibly going on
to learn further if I enjoy it. Can anyone recommend a book that I can
buy that will get me on the move?

I did two modules of Accounting & Finance at University about 8 years
ago, but want to resurrect my learning.

TIA,

Toby

On 28 May, 14:35, Toby Briggs  wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I'm looking to learn some basic book-keeping, with possibly going on
> to learn further if I enjoy it. Can anyone recommend a book that I can
> buy that will get me on the move?
>
> I did two modules of Accounting & Finance at University about 8 years
> ago, but want to resurrect my learning.

There is no such thing as "basic bookkeeping".

Either you (1) Learn one of the packages:

Sage
Quickbooks
MYOB

...or whatever.

2) You painstakingly write things out by hand like generations of grey-
haired bookkeepers have done and are still doing absolutely
brilliantly.

3) You replicate their system in Excel.

You need to learn accountancy and I don't think you can learn that
from a book. People always say "Frank Wood Business Accounting" - the
most tedious book ever writtten

:)

You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.  If you
join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!

Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Complete Guide to
Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business
http://www.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsulting.com
http://www.amazon.com/Successful-QuickBooks-Consulting-Comprehensive-Starting/dp/1434810690

Troy Steadman wrote:
> On 28 May, 14:35, Toby Briggs  wrote:
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I'm looking to learn some basic book-keeping, with possibly going on
>> to learn further if I enjoy it. Can anyone recommend a book that I can
>> buy that will get me on the move?
>>
>> I did two modules of Accounting & Finance at University about 8 years
>> ago, but want to resurrect my learning.
> 
> There is no such thing as "basic bookkeeping".
> 
> Either you (1) Learn one of the packages:
> 
> Sage
> Quickbooks
> MYOB
> 
> ...or whatever.

I was told by the company accountants to use Quickbooks Pro 2005 - and 
have tried learning that - but I don't like it at all. Then the 
accountants' decided to tell me they don't use it!! Typical eh?!

> 
> 2) You painstakingly write things out by hand like generations of grey-
> haired bookkeepers have done and are still doing absolutely
> brilliantly.

I don't think I'd do this - but at least this way I can work out what 
happens!

> 
> 3) You replicate their system in Excel.

Probably the best way to do it!


> 
> You need to learn accountancy and I don't think you can learn that
> from a book. People always say "Frank Wood Business Accounting" - the
> most tedious book ever writtten
> 
> :)
> 

I'm considering doing one of the many home learning courses that you see 
on the net - starting off with perhaps this one - 
http://www.woodgrove-tutorials.co.uk/courses.php

"QBConsultant"  wrote in message
news:fbeb36d5-18a9-4aa3-8bff-e5942fe47bc2@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
: You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
: you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
: doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
: learn QuickBooks



""since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.""


Show your evidence !!!!  Prove your statement !!!!  Crap as usual ....

Quickbooks is a waste of space - over the years we have converted over 2000
clients away from the garbage !!!!!





  If you
: join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
: access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!
:
: Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
: Author of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Complete Guide to
: Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business
: http://www.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsulting.com
:

Self praise as usual - no recommendation - lowest form of trying to generate 
money!

QBConsultant wrote:

> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
> doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.  If you
> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!

Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
85%-90% of the market?

Troy Steadman wrote:

> There is no such thing as "basic bookkeeping".
> 
> Either you (1) Learn one of the packages:
> 
> Sage
> Quickbooks
> MYOB
> 
> ...or whatever.
> 
> 2) You painstakingly write things out by hand like generations of grey-
> haired bookkeepers have done and are still doing absolutely
> brilliantly.
> 
> 3) You replicate their system in Excel.

I disagree.

You need to learn how to do it on paper first.  Then you can learn how do do
it on a computer.


Microsoft Word for example is not an alternative to learning how to read and
write.

Jonathan Bryce wrote:

> QBConsultant wrote:
> 
>> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
>> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
>> doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
>> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.  If you
>> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
>> access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!
> 
> Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
> 85%-90% of the market?

I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
but the two statements are not irreconcilable.  It could be the case,
for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
the overall market.

This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
of the overall market.  It could be a result of how "the market" is
measured.  The same actual situation can get different measurement
results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
amount of money customers throw at it.  So Sage could be the leader
because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
spend a fortune on support and training.  :-)

Jonathan Bryce wrote:

> Troy Steadman wrote:
> 
>> There is no such thing as "basic bookkeeping".
>> 
>> Either you (1) Learn one of the packages:
>> 
>> Sage
>> Quickbooks
>> MYOB
>> 
>> ...or whatever.
>> 
>> 2) You painstakingly write things out by hand like generations of grey-
>> haired bookkeepers have done and are still doing absolutely
>> brilliantly.
>> 
>> 3) You replicate their system in Excel.
> 
> I disagree.
> 
> You need to learn how to do it on paper first.  Then you can learn how do
> do it on a computer.

Hear, hear.

On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
> Jonathan Bryce wrote:
> > QBConsultant wrote:
>
> >> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
> >> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
> >> doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
> >> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.  If you> >> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> >> access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!
>
> > Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
> > 85%-90% of the market?
>
> I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
> but the two statements are not irreconcilable.  It could be the case,
> for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
> the overall market.
>
> This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
> of the overall market.  It could be a result of how "the market" is
> measured.  The same actual situation can get different measurement
> results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
> businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
> amount of money customers throw at it.  So Sage could be the leader
> because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
> spend a fortune on support and training.  :-)

QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
leader in the UK.

On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
> On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Jonathan Bryce wrote:
> > > QBConsultant wrote:
>
> > >> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory.  If
> > >> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
> > >> doesn't change that much that fast).  I'd also recommend that you
> > >> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it.  If you
> > >> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> > >> access to training resources (plus many more benefits).  Good luck!> > > Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have> > > 85%-90% of the market?
>
> > I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
> > but the two statements are not irreconcilable.  It could be the case,
> > for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
> > the overall market.
>
> > This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
> > of the overall market.  It could be a result of how "the market" is
> > measured.  The same actual situation can get different measurement
> > results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
> > businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
> > amount of money customers throw at it.  So Sage could be the leader
> > because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
> > spend a fortune on support and training.  :-)
>
> QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
> leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!

Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Complete Guide to
Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business
http://www.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsulting.com
http://www.amazon.com/Successful-QuickBooks-Consulting-Comprehensive-Starting/dp/1434810690

"QBConsultant"  wrote in message 
news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
> On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Jonathan Bryce wrote:
> > > QBConsultant wrote:
>
> > >> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. If
> > >> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
> > >> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
> > >> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If you
> > >> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> > >> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good luck!
>
> > > Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
> > > 85%-90% of the market?
>
> > I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
> > but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
> > for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
> > the overall market.
>
> > This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
> > of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
> > measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
> > results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
> > businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
> > amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
> > because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
> > spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
>
> QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
> leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

>Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!

And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap 
statements !

On 11 Jun, 19:49, "-=Only me=-" <do-...@even-think-about.it!> wrote:
> "QBConsultant"  wrote in message
>
> news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
>
> > > Jonathan Bryce wrote:
> > > > QBConsultant wrote:
>
> > > >> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. If
> > > >> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
> > > >> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
> > > >> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If you
> > > >> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> > > >> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good luck!
>
> > > > Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
> > > > 85%-90% of the market?
>
> > > I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
> > > but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
> > > for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
> > > the overall market.
>
> > > This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
> > > of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
> > > measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
> > > results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
> > > businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
> > > amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
> > > because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
> > > spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
>
> > QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
> > leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
> >Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!
>
> And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap
> statements !-

She's not bothered. She's trying to advertise her book.

PeterSaxton wrote:
> On 11 Jun, 19:49, "-=Only me=-" <do-...@even-think-about.it!> wrote:
>> "QBConsultant"  wrote in message
>>
>> news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
>>>> Jonathan Bryce wrote:
>>>>> QBConsultant wrote:
>>>>>> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. If
>>>>>> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
>>>>>> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
>>>>>> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If you
>>>>>> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
>>>>>> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good luck!
>>>>> Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
>>>>> 85%-90% of the market?
>>>> I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
>>>> but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
>>>> for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
>>>> the overall market.
>>>> This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
>>>> of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
>>>> measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
>>>> results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
>>>> businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
>>>> amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
>>>> because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
>>>> spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
>>> QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
>>> leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
>>> - Show quoted text -
>>> Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!
>> And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap
>> statements !-
> 
> She's not bothered. She's trying to advertise her book.

Not to worry - I'm not a fan of Quickbooks at all. Yes, I've had to be 
self-taught with it - so probably not using it to it's full potential.

Will save up this £300 and do the home learning course, and then move on 
from there.

I have been thinking over the last week or two, if only, whilst I was at 
school I had chosen to do Economics and Business Studies for A-Level, to 
give me a good stepping stone as well!

Ah well, 28's not too late to learn again!

On 12 Jun, 08:35, Toby  wrote:
> PeterSaxton wrote:
> > On 11 Jun, 19:49, "-=Only me=-" <do-...@even-think-about.it!> wrote:> >> "QBConsultant"  wrote in message
>
> >>news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com..> >> On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
>
> >>> On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
> >>>> Jonathan Bryce wrote:
> >>>>> QBConsultant wrote:
> >>>>>> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. If> >>>>>> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting> >>>>>> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
> >>>>>> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If you
> >>>>>> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
> >>>>>> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good luck!
> >>>>> Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
> >>>>> 85%-90% of the market?
> >>>> I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
> >>>> but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
> >>>> for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads> >>>> the overall market.
> >>>> This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
> >>>> of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
> >>>> measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
> >>>> results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
> >>>> businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
> >>>> amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
> >>>> because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
> >>>> spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
> >>> QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
> >>> leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
> >>> - Show quoted text -
> >>> Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!
> >> And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap
> >> statements !-
>
> > She's not bothered. She's trying to advertise her book.
>
> Not to worry - I'm not a fan of Quickbooks at all. Yes, I've had to be
> self-taught with it - so probably not using it to it's full potential.
>
> Will save up this £300 and do the home learning course, and then move on> from there.
>
> I have been thinking over the last week or two, if only, whilst I was at
> school I had chosen to do Economics and Business Studies for A-Level, to
> give me a good stepping stone as well!
>
> Ah well, 28's not too late to learn again!-

Why are you not a fan of QuickBooks? It's the best UK accounting
software subject to the recent arrival of MS Office Accounting.

PeterSaxton wrote:
> On 12 Jun, 08:35, Toby  wrote:
>> PeterSaxton wrote:
>>> On 11 Jun, 19:49, "-=Only me=-" <do-...@even-think-about.it!> wrote:
>>>> "QBConsultant"  wrote in message
>>>> news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
>>>> On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
>>>>> On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
>>>>>> Jonathan Bryce wrote:
>>>>>>> QBConsultant wrote:
>>>>>>>> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. If
>>>>>>>> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper (accounting
>>>>>>>> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
>>>>>>>> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If you
>>>>>>>> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program and
>>>>>>>> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good luck!
>>>>>>> Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly have
>>>>>>> 85%-90% of the market?
>>>>>> I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
>>>>>> but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
>>>>>> for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage leads
>>>>>> the overall market.
>>>>>> This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
>>>>>> of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
>>>>>> measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
>>>>>> results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
>>>>>> businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
>>>>>> amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
>>>>>> because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
>>>>>> spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
>>>>> QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
>>>>> leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
>>>>> - Show quoted text -
>>>>> Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!
>>>> And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap
>>>> statements !-
>>> She's not bothered. She's trying to advertise her book.
>> Not to worry - I'm not a fan of Quickbooks at all. Yes, I've had to be
>> self-taught with it - so probably not using it to it's full potential.
>>
>> Will save up this £300 and do the home learning course, and then move on
>> from there.
>>
>> I have been thinking over the last week or two, if only, whilst I was at
>> school I had chosen to do Economics and Business Studies for A-Level, to
>> give me a good stepping stone as well!
>>
>> Ah well, 28's not too late to learn again!-
> 
> Why are you not a fan of QuickBooks? It's the best UK accounting
> software subject to the recent arrival of MS Office Accounting.

As I said - I'm self taught - so I probably haven't realised the full 
potential.

"PeterSaxton"  wrote in message 
news:c53061fd-9894-45c3-94f1-9b6f2fdd1c30@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
: On 11 Jun, 19:49, "-=Only me=-" <do-...@even-think-about.it!> wrote:
: > "QBConsultant"  wrote in message
: >
: > 
news:baf14c4d-ff64-4cb3-ad77-17d35531de5a@f36g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
: > On Jun 3, 3:19 am, PeterSaxton  wrote:
: >
: >
: >
: >
: >
: > > On 2 Jun, 22:24, Ronald Raygun <no.s...@localhost.localdomain> wrote:
: >
: > > > Jonathan Bryce wrote:
: > > > > QBConsultant wrote:
: >
: > > > >> You can get an accounting text from ebay to refresh your memory. 
If
: > > > >> you get one that is a year or 2 old, it will be cheaper 
(accounting
: > > > >> doesn't change that much that fast). I'd also recommend that you
: > > > >> learn QuickBooks since 85-90% of the small businesses use it. If 
you
: > > > >> join the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program, you'll get the program 
and
: > > > >> access to training resources (plus many more benefits). Good 
luck!
: >
: > > > > Given that Sage is the market leader, how can Quickbooks possibly 
have
: > > > > 85%-90% of the market?
: >
: > > > I make no comment on whether I believe or disbelieve the 85% figure,
: > > > but the two statements are not irreconcilable. It could be the case,
: > > > for instance, that QB leads the small business market, yet Sage 
leads
: > > > the overall market.
: >
: > > > This could be because small businesses make up only a small fraction
: > > > of the overall market. It could be a result of how "the market" is
: > > > measured. The same actual situation can get different measurement
: > > > results if, for example, on the one hand you count the number of
: > > > businesses who use each package, and on the other you measure the
: > > > amount of money customers throw at it. So Sage could be the leader
: > > > because it is so awful and difficult to use that customers have to
: > > > spend a fortune on support and training. :-)
: >
: > > QuickBooks is the market leader in the USA and Sage is the market
: > > leader in the UK.- Hide quoted text -
: >
: > > - Show quoted text -
: > >Thank you for that clarification Peter--I've been on vacation!
: >
: > And you still have not provided any evidence to validate your crap
: > statements !-
:
: She's not bothered. She's trying to advertise her book.

So she's just another yankee liar and thief out to make a quick $ ??? 
Typical !!!!