The Provisions For Basic Bookkeeping For New Business Start Ups

| Sunday, March 13, 2011
By James Carlton


Basic bookkeeping for new business start ups begins by recording all purchases, inventory, expenses and incoming capital. During the first year, most businesses will not realize a profit, but investors will want to know where and how money is being spent. It is important to show that all capital is being expended in an effort to earn eventual revenue.

The bookkeeper or owner should create spreadsheets or journals which allow all financial transactions to be recorded as they take place. First, it should be decided whether the business is going to operate on a cash basis or an accrual accounting basis. Some companies will even choose a hybrid method of the two.

The cash basis recognizes revenue and expenses when cash, or a cash equivalents, exchange hands. The accrual method recognizes revenues when they are incurred and the corresponding expenses are recognized when they enable the production of those revenues. For example, wages are recognized in the period earned, not necessarily when they are paid.

Bank reconciliations are also an important part of the bookkeeping process in a start up and should be done monthly. The balance of the bank account may not be reflective of the totals that have been recorded by the bookkeeper. Reconciling the numbers rectifies this and enables those that put up the initial capital outlay to better understand what cash is on hand.

Theft can be a prominent occurrence in many companies that are just starting out. Accurately recording all inventory and material purchases is very important to discourage this from happening. Also, reviewing all of the transactions on a monthly basis will help to catch any mistakes and any possibilities of dishonesty.

Basic bookkeeping for new business start-ups begins with choosing the method of accounting that the company will practice and creating spreadsheets or journals to record all financial transactions. Investors and owners are going to want to know where the money is going and the purpose for which it is being spent. The point of the company is to eventually make a profit, which can only be done if spending is tracked and understood.




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