Top articles for Accounting & Bookkeeping

Online Accounting Software

Online Accounting Software

There are many people that use accounting software to keep a business or household running smoothly and on a budget. Without accounting software some people would not have good control over finances. There are several different types of online accounting software to be had. ...read more

How to Learn Payroll Accounting

How to Learn Payroll Accounting

Payroll accountants are responsible for tracking the expenditure of money and assets through a company.  Their job is to help companies track their income and maintain a timely payment record for expenses and bills.  If you are interested in becoming a payroll accountant, you will have to begin your career by studying carefully. ...read more

How to Restore Microsoft Small Business Accounting

How to Restore Microsoft Small Business Accounting

Computer files can sometimes be deleted by accident, get lost or damaged. This could be a potential nightmare, especially if these are small business accounting files. You have peace of mind by knowing how to use the "Backup and Restore" function in Microsoft Small Business Accounting. With a few keystrokes you can restore backed up versions of those files. ...read more

How Does the Communication of Bookkeepers Affect Accounting?

How Does the Communication of Bookkeepers Affect Accounting?

The communications of bookkeepers affect accounting in a major way. Bookkeepers are responsible for collecting accounts receivable and paying out a company's payments on accounts payable. The communication between those who owe money and those who money is owed to is extremely important to the entire accounting process. ...read more

How to Prepare Records for a Tax Accountant

How to Prepare Records for a Tax Accountant

Accountants are an indispensable asset of the tax season for many Americans every year.  For individuals with sizable earnings from interest income, small business or capital gains, having an accountant is recommended.  Before visiting an accountant, take some basic steps. ...read more

How to Become a Certified Bookkeeper

How to Become a Certified Bookkeeper

Certified bookkeepers are the best of the best in the profession. The requirements for certification depend upon where you are employed. Certified bookkeepers must have experience in bookkeeping, achieve a passing grade on a certification exam, sign a code of conduct and attend yearly continuing education classes. ...read more

How to Market a Home-Based Bookkeeping Service

How to Market a Home-Based Bookkeeping Service

You can increase exposure and attract new clients to your home-based bookkeeping service with an effective marketing plan. Running a business from home requires unique marketing strategies to build clientele and maintain current clients. With the new technology and networking opportunities currently available, marketing a business does not require a large monetary investment. Your marketing plan should include both short-term and long-term goals. ...read more

Common Fraud Schemes by Bookkeepers

Common Fraud Schemes by Bookkeepers

The bookkeeper typically has authority and control of the corporate checking accounts and other business accounts such as petty cash. Many business owners implicitly trust their bookkeeper and very seldom ask many questions of their bookkeeper. If no one audits the bookkeepers work it is sometimes very easy for them to commit fraud and steal money from the business. ...read more

How to Mix Personal With Business Accounting

How to Mix Personal With Business Accounting

Mixing personal with business accounting is a common practice amount those with small or home-based businesses. They may use one account and one ledger to document expenses for groceries, mortgage, business expenses and other personal activities. There is one type of structure that is ideal for mixing business with personal accounting. ...read more

How to Convert Microsoft Small Business Accounting Files

How to Convert Microsoft Small Business Accounting Files

Microsoft Small Business Accounting was discontinued in 2009. After it was discontinued, the makers of Quickbooks made a conversion tool that is free to use. This tool helps people who used Small Business Accounting convert their files to the Quickbooks program. ...read more

How to Set Up Accounting for a Small Business

How to Set Up Accounting for a Small Business

Setting up accounting for a small business is no small task. There are many prices of information to pull together in order to properly set up a small business accounting system. It is important to set this up the first time, because reconciling accounting that is not set up correctly can be very discouraging. ...read more

How to Understand Financial Accounting

How to Understand Financial Accounting

Understanding financial accounting can seem like a hopeless task for some. People are often scared away because of the math and terminology involved in the field. It is not as difficult of a subject to understand as it is often perceived. ...read more

Online Accounting Information

Online Accounting Information

The accounting profession details every consideration of good accounting practice online through several accounting societies.  Search online for any of these accounting associations, such as The American Accounting Association for accounting information. The websites will include several pages of detailed accounting information. ...read more

Online Bookkeeping Services

Online Bookkeeping Services

Online bookkeeping services offer affordable solutions for small business owners. Online bookkeeping services offer accounts payable, receivable, payroll and basic bookkeeping support to clients on a predetermined basis. These services can save considerable time and money for small business owners who find themselves in need of quality bookkeeping services. ...read more

Teach Yourself Small Business Accounting

Teach Yourself Small Business Accounting

Small business accounting is an essential skill for any small business owner. Knowing how to keep accurate financial records for your business will help you to make decisions that will benefit the financial security of your business, as well as determine the amount that you must charge for goods or services in order to generate a profit. ...read more

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Going Global

We handled state tax returns for clients in 27 different states last year. We also assisted clients in four different countries. Just because you are not in California doesn’t mean we can’t help. If you have questions, concerns or just want a second opinion we are happy to help!  951-652-4600 ...read more

By Prime Path Financial, Inc. May 14, 2014

The Right Preparer

How do you know your tax preparer is qualified to handle your tax situation? Did you just take their word for it or have you ever asked them for credentials? Did you know only four states have requirements for folks charging a fee to prepare a tax return? Scary thought, huh? I’m not talking about CPAs and Enrolled Agents, I’m talking about the person sitting behind the desk at your corner tax office. California is one of the states that require paid preparers to complete continuing education every year and carry a bond to work as a tax preparer in the state. Don’t assume your preparer in California meets this requirement…verify them! Check their registration at www.ctec.org. CPAs and Enrolled Agents won't be listed so ask them about their credentials. Even with proper credentials, ask your preparer about their experience. Have they done your type of tax return before or handled your particular situation? What was the outcome of that previous experience? Always ask what their plan of action is and how much it’s going to cost! Your income tax return is the single, largest financial transaction you make every year. Picking the right preparer is the first step. When you find one you are comfortable with keep the lines of communication open when you have life changes and talk to them throughout the year. This allows them to help you plan for changes and eliminate surprises at the end of the year. If you do not feel comfortable when speaking to a potential preparer or even one you have worked with before, trust your gut! When you find one that works best for you, keep them forever.  ...read more

By Prime Path Financial, Inc. January 14, 2014

TaxPocket

My first year working as a tax preparer my boss had a sign on the ceiling above her desk that read, “It’s not up here”. I didn’t get it at first but after a couple dozen clients I understood. When asking clients for how many total miles they drove last year and how much of that was for business the typical response is a look up, turn their head to one side and say “Ummm, about ….” Since they forgot to bring a hard copy of the detailed mileage log they kept for business miles driven, they are accessing a copy that must be stored someplace on the ceiling that is invisible to everyone else but them. Let’s face it, tracking miles is time consuming and tedious but without a detailed, written log of these miles taxpayers are putting their deduction for business use of their vehicle in jeopardy. There are handy books you can buy at any office supply store, expensive devices to attach to your dashboard or even a plain notebook you keep in the glove box will do.  It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just has to be written down. With the advent of smart phones miles driven for business practically track themselves. There are many different apps you can choose from to do this but we recommend TaxPocket. This free app is available for both iPhones and Androids and gives you a direct line to your tax professional. Not only can you track mileage with the push of a button, but you can snap a picture of receipts and track other business expenses as well. TaxPocket allows you to communicate with your tax professional by phone, email or direct upload all from the palm of your hand. To connect with the professionals at Prime Path Financial, just enter ID # 07963 when choosing your tax professional.       ...read more

By Prime Path Financial, Inc. January 07, 2014