Software > Box 5 > Bookkeeping (PN) > Video Pre-Reading

This page contains:

1. Written Intro to Videos
2. Qualifying Statement for Videos
3. Bookkeeping Template Feature Summary

1) Written Intro to Videos

Anyone who wishes to learn Bookkeeping or Accounting needs to learn what we refer to as "Bookkeeping for Tax/Financial Accounting" first. 

1. Bookkeeping for Tax Accounting, also referred to as Bookkeeping for Financial Accounting, is a small subset of your overall Bookkeeping and Accounting needs. It's the "Bookkeeping" with a capital "B" part. The other portion of your needs are referred to typically as Managerial or Cost Accounting. When we are talking generically about any of your Tax/Financial and/or Managerial/Cost Accounting needs, that's when we'd reference "bookkeeping" with a lower case "b". 
2. Bookkeeping for Tax Accounting has very specific requirements defined by others which actually makes it easier to learn and complete as compared to the rest of your needs where you have more say.  
3. The objective of the Bookkeeping for Tax Accounting process is TWO Reports: 1) An Income Statement  and 2) A Balance Sheet .  We give these new names in our Formal Education to help with easier ongoing clarity, but you'll get to that later. 
4. This is the only subset of bookkeeping where "everyone" needs the exact same basic education, no matter if they are going to be the CEO of a Large Company, a Small Business Owner, a Head of Household or a financially responsible individual engaged in organized society. 
5. To the surprise of many, detailed information related to individual Customers, Vendors, and Employees should not be included in this part of your bookkeeping process. 
6. Furthermore, and also to the surprise of many, our simple bookkeeping template has been designed to mimic an IRS Auditors audit process. That's how we know this is the proper start for everyone's Tax Accounting needs.

The information in the diagram below repeats the information above with a few more details.  pop out to print

2) Qualifying Statement for Videos

If you move on with the videos below, we expect you to have the following disposition:

1. You have a desire to learn (more) about "bookkeeping", "Bookkeeping" and Accounting
2. You understand the very specific Scope of Work that ZAP's Bookkeeping Template is intended to address as it relates to Tax/Financial Accounting first and foremost.
3. You understand why features and reports that may be found in other "bookkeeping software" that mixes Tax/Financial Accounting with Managerial/Cost Accounting is not included. 
4. You understand that Managerial Accounting Spreadsheet Templates, Software, Tools and/or Reports will be needed to properly fulfill all of your bookkeeping, Bookkeeping and Accounting needs, as is the case with any digital bookkeeping solution you use, no matter how much they may want you to believe they offer an all-in-one solution. 
5. You understand this ZAP Accounting Software website offers Managerial/Cost Accounting Templates, Information and Education as well as Tax/Financial Accounting related information, but you also understand you should master Bookkeeping for Tax/Financial Accounting with our Bookkeeping Template first for numerous reasons.
6. You understand the videos below are designed to "introduce you to" the Bookkeeping Template features and functions. They are not intended to "teach you" vocabulary nor how to setup or use the spreadsheet template. 
7. You understand that there is a lot more content and education to help you setup and use our templates on our Bookkeeping Template Landing page (the place you will get a copy of the template) , and you understand you will need to dig into that material on your own to make it all happen for you.  

3) Bookkeeping Template Feature Summary 

ZAP Accounting 'Software' is a full double entry bookkeeping solution designed and offered as a stand alone google sheet template.  

• Our master file gets copied to your Google Drive and then you get a little free professional help from our videos and support documents, and away you go. 
  
• Once on your drive the file is a stand alone file and private to you.
  • There are no communication strings or connections back to us or any software vendor.
  • There are no ongoing fees. 
  • There are no auto updates either, but that's okay because you shouldn't really need any.  You can download a new version and transfer your data over if ever comes the time where the features have changed that much in a relevant way to you. 
    
• The file is pre-configured with a Chart of Accounts inline with Schedule C. Other Suggested Account Lists are on a worksheet in the file as well. The template comes pre-configured for 1)  two checking accounts (asset accounts)  2) two credit card accounts (liability accounts)  3) a liability account for expenses incurred outside your business accounts 4) a General Journal 5) A General Ledger 6) an income statement 7) a Balance Sheet and 8) basic reporting. It comes with a years worth of demo data.  It also has features related to Budgeting and an amazingly powerful transaction generator for Life and Business simulation. 
  
• The Chart of Accounts has no required accounts and no limitations. There is no limit on Checking accounts or credit card accounts but going beyond two of each requires some professional configuration (5 minutes per added account). The file can be customized in any way, because it is a stand alone file.
  
• There's a lot of advanced features that can be unhidden  for those who want bells, whistles, crickets and such.
  
• Anyone who 'feels' this is overwhelming after watching the videos is 'trying to take it all in' too much...
  • You'll only use the pieces you need, and you'll hide the rest. 
  • It only takes most 45-60 minutes with some good coaching to get into the groove with your own data in play.
  • It feel's a lot better with your own data in play. ​
  • For those using for business immediately, some tutoring for the first few months of use is suggested to find the groove faster and faster each month, but in short time you'll be grooving on your own and loving it. 

Continue to the Intro Videos....