[AUXCOM]

Does anyone have links for excel spreadsheets or a simple accounting software for Bee Associations?

I am being inducted as the treasurer....I need some resources for the legal requirements and what is needed to do this job.


Appreciated

 

[David LaFerney]

Just run every penny through a checking account and keep it recorded, memoed and ballanced. If anyone raises a point of criticism immediately nominate them to take over the job. Worked for me for 2 years.

 

[AUXCOM]

There has to be some spreadsheets out there for this...I need to keep track of membership dues, and other required payments

 

[snl]

Get Quickbooks............it's easy (even for non-accounting types) and keeps track of it all

 

[MJuric]

Get Quickbooks....

2nd this. I know a lot of small businesses that use quick books and say it is easy to use and I believe fairly in expensive. I've used Peachtree for 21 years, but it is more complex and much more expensive.

Doing this in a spreadsheet for anything more then a few transactions would be a mess by comparison.

~Matt

 

[Andrew Dewey]

I'll 3rd Quickbooks. It is not the best for generating annual invoices for your members but not too shabby. If you are like most bee clubs you are organized as an unincorporated association at the state level and a non-profit at the federal level. Most likely you will file a postcard 990 for a tax return. It has far more capabilities then you will ever use.

 

[WRLCPA]

Doesn't the association have a current system for accounting that you will inherit? If it is not new, take a look at what is currently in place and augment accordingly. If the association is new, it needs to be setup and organized properly including a proper system for accounting that would be voted on by the board.

Quick books should be adequate for the needs of a beekeepers association I would think!

 

[AUXCOM]

They have to get me with the last person...they prob have a program....let ya know

 

[Acebird]

Alot depends on the number of members whether you use a spread sheet or quickbooks, or even quicken.

edit: I run my business on a spread sheet. My accountant loves it. My wife runs a antique mall and we (I) use quickbooks online for that. The self storage facility has a specialized software for running that. And it was mentioned that you can use a checkbook. It will all depend on membership and how much bookkeeping you have to do.

 

[snl]

Alot depends on the number of members whether you use a spread sheet or quickbooks, or even quicken.

True, but my vote is for QB to start. It's relatively cheap and you'll never outgrow it....You'll have all the history in one spot rather than starting with a spreadsheet then later going to QB....

 

[Pete O]

If you are really familiar with Excel, you can create your own spreadsheet to do whatever you want. For most people the Quicken route is the easiest way and there are many sample Quicken spreadsheets to choose from.

 

[AUXCOM]

I used to run the LOTUS Club in SF years ago...so did a lot of spreadsheet programing with that...so if QB is similar, it should be no problem.
I might just go for the QB anyway, so I can dump my own accounting info into TurboTax.

 

[Acebird]

Quickbooks is not a spreadsheet. It is a powerful accounting software that will just be confusing to the layperson without an accounting background. If you don't have the background you should not set up the "company" in quickbooks. You should get an accountant to do it for you.
If your association is not over 100 members it would be silly to use quickbooks. Others may have a different opinion.

 

[AUXCOM]

I was a construction accountant for many years, so should be ok...but I am not sure how many members there are...I think less than 50, so I think I will just use a simple checking account program I found and make a spreadsheet if needed.

 

[Acebird]

and make a spreadsheet if needed.

I could strip out the numbers on the two spreadsheets that I use, one for business and one for checking if you want them as a boiler plate. The business one is more involved, keeping track of expenses and income calculating sales tax for filing and net gain or loss for the year. Expenses are on one page and income is on another. I almost think it is more than you need for an association though. I wouldn't think you would have that many expenses to keep track of. PM me if you want them.

 

[MJuric]

Quickbooks is not a spreadsheet. It is a powerful accounting software that will just be confusing to the layperson without an accounting background. If you don't have the background you should not set up the "company" in quickbooks. You should get an accountant to do it for you.

Most of these programs today are pretty self explanatory, malleable and easy to set up these days. I set up the company in Peachtree with no problem and any mistakes I made were easily fixable when spotted by my accountant. Peachtree is a step or two more powerful then QB so I would suspect more complex. I have no accounting background at all other then "Trial by Fire" by owning a business. Of course I set it up 20+ years ago when I set up my business.

I actually think these programs prevent you from making some mistakes that you might make if you're doing it on a spreadsheet. Peachtree as a ton of checks, cross checks, audits etc...if you want to use them. I just send everything to the accountant

~Matt

 

[AUXCOM]

Would love to see it...appreciated Brian

We only have about 30 to 35 active members...so a very simple system is what is needed.

Bob

 

[Acebird]

Would love to see it...appreciated Brian

Bob

I need some way to send excel files to you.

 

[Acebird]

Most of these programs today are pretty self explanatory, malleable and easy to set up these days.
~Matt

Every once in a while I have a question for my accountant which he can't answer so he sends me to his lacky who has more experience with QB but in the end the question doesn't get answered or get solved.
I will say that you are correct with tongue in cheek.

 

[AUXCOM]

Well....I found the perfect software...I think...lol It is called Simply Checking...and does all the categories I need!

http://www.simplychecking.com/simplycheckingwebsite_010.htm Found it there...and the price is right!

I will evaluate this and let everyone know.