Computer Accounting and Bookkeeping
Free Bookkeeping Tutorials
Who is this Course for ?
This computer bookkeeping tutorial and course is geared to business owners, managers, and individuals who need or want to learn the basics of accounting and bookkeeping software (apps). Oh by the way, you can teach an "ole" dog new tricks. They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Well, my goal is to make you dangerous.
Prior Knowledge Needed
- How to operate a computer
- How to use a mouse and keyboard
- Basics of your computer operating system - Windows/Mac
- How to select and run programs (apps)
What’s Covered ?
Just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, we don't want too much information or too little. We want just the right amount. That's what I aim to do ! No,in this course you won't learn how to assemble or repair a computer or how to write computer programs. What you will learn is what's involved in setting up and using a computerized accounting system.
We'll use a car as an analogy. You don't need to know what makes a car run; but, you do need to learn how to drive it. The same applies to accounting software. You don't need to know how it works; but, you do need to learn how to use it.
In the first sections of the tutorial, we'll learn about bookkeeping and computers and then in the later sections, we will use Manager Accounting, a free accounting program, to illustrate what's involved in setting up and using accounting software. Believe it or not it's not that hard ! Basically, you just need to learn where to go to perform the various bookkeeping tasks using a menu and how to enter the needed information in the provided forms/templates. You also need to learn where to go (queries and reports) to view or print the financial information needed by your business.
I'm not going to reinvent the wheel. I've used the Manager Guides and added my own tidbits in some instances for additional clarification.
Note
While not absolutely necessary, I recommend downloading and installing Manager Accounting to practice the sections discussed and explained.
This Computer Accounting Tutorial is Organized By Sections
Section 1 Bookkeeping Basics
These sections introduces you to accounts and what tasks a bookkeeper performs.
Section 2 Introduction to Computer Accounting
These sections discuss a manual and computerized accounting system, present a brief history of computers, and discuss accounting software and what's involved in setting it up.
Section 3 Manager Getting Started
These sections discuss and explain Manager's features, the available versions, and the guides and help provided.
Section 4 Manager Setup
These sections explain how to add and backup a business and the steps to follow for setting up the Manager software.
Section 5 Manager Settings
These sections discuss and explain the infrequent tasks that the Settings Tab is used for such as setting up and maintaining a chart of accounts
Section 6 Manager Menu-Tabs
These sections explain how Manager uses tabs (modules) to perform the various accounting tasks needed by a business.
Section 7 Starting Balances
These Sections discuss and explain how to set up a business's beginning balance sheet accounts.
Section 8 Tab-Listings-Forms-Defaults-Tasks
In these sections we revisit Manager's Tabs. We will review, discuss, and provide examples for the following:
- Tab Screen Listings that display information and allow users to add, edit, delete, view, clone, copy to, and print information and transactions.
- Tab Form Defaults that allow users to set default values for fields for form templates.
- Tab Tasks that allow the user to enter, change, view, print, prepare reports, and process business transactions.
- Tab Functions that allow the user to batch view, batch create, batch update, batch delete, copy to clipboard, and set form defaults.
Section 9 Reports and Queries
These sections discuss and provide example of reports supplied by Manager and the ability to create custom reports.
Section 10 Final Review
These sections provide a refresher of what we covered in this tutorial, some tips on how to use Manager, and final exams to see what information "stuck" to your brain cells.
Don't worry, nobody sees the results except you.
Section 11 Terms/Glossaries
Glossaries provided with definitions of computer terms ans terms used in Manager.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you should know or be able to perform the following:
- How the computer has evolved and became a tool in our lives
- What is a computerized accounting and bookkeeping system
- Why computerized Accounting and Bookkeeping is a good choice
- A basic knowledge of computers and computerized accounting software
- The "ingredients" such as menus and forms that make a computerized system work
- Basic skills needed for entering accounting information into a computerized accounting system
- An understanding of accounting and business records and reports
- A working knowledge of The Manager Accounting Software
