Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet?

Graham Maddison · 04-10-2009, 04:54 AM

I was just wondering if there would be a need for a simple diy accounting spreadsheet.

I have had quite a bit of experience in setting up exel spread sheets for my former businesses and was thinking of setting a template up in open source. with full instructions on how to use it.

Do you think there would be a need for this?

Graham

ProductCreator · 04-10-2009, 05:47 AM

I created my own, a multi-page sheet that links into a cover sheet. Probably something like this might be useful to total spreadsheet noobs who have never even linked sheets together.

Adaptive · 04-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

I have had quite a bit of experience in setting up exel spread sheets for my former businesses and was thinking of setting a template up in open source. with full instructions on how to use it.

Graham, that would be handy and appreciated, especially if you make sure the template works with Open Office.

Doesn't Excel include some financial templates already? Wouldn't people who can afford Office also be able to afford Quickbooks, or the help of a local bookkeeper?

I don't see money in this idea, but I do see a way to help people and build goodwill. It could be a terrific giveaway to get people into a mailing list where you could sell them ebooks about small business finance.

Regards,
Allen

Graham Maddison · 04-10-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adaptive

Graham, that would be handy and appreciated, especially if you make sure the template works with Open Office.

Doesn't Excel include some financial templates already? Wouldn't people who can afford Office also be able to afford Quickbooks, or the help of a local bookkeeper?

I don't see money in this idea, but I do see a way to help people and build goodwill. It could be a terrific giveaway to get people into a mailing list where you could sell them ebooks about small business finance.

Regards,
Allen

My thoughts exactly,

I don't see it being a money spinner at all, but I'm guessing there are a lot of newbie marketers who haven't so much as given it a thought.... when the taxman knocks what then

I'm thinking of setting up a template as a giveaway and maybe help to build my list.

Graham

Mary Laine · 04-10-2009, 01:06 PM

I think it is a great idea! Although I already have something in place, I would always be willing to look at others to see what they are doing different! So as a give a way, a great idea. To sell, well.... maybe not.

JasonKing · 04-10-2009, 08:04 PM

Can you share more Graham?

What would it look like?

What is its purpose? (For a newbie, who doesn't know much about all this finance stuff)

talewins · 04-10-2009, 11:30 PM

Yes, and in a hurry as more and more people jump into business head first.
Another big market, a budget for people going broke. Every check that bounces costs them dough. I made up one for my daughter and she began using it to help people get their lives under control. Within weeks, and without advertising her business was driving her into exhaustion. "Suzy says you can help me.." Today she called and said she wasn't doing this any more. "I'm retired, not looking for more work!."

Audrey Harvey · 04-11-2009, 05:12 AM

Yes please ! My accountant is going to fire me and refer me to her worst enemy, LOL.

Graham Maddison · 04-11-2009, 06:02 AM

Okay guys, I hear you

I am in the process of setting a spreadsheet up and then I will write a step-by-step guide on how to use it. Hopefully will be completed for use over the easter holiday.

In the meantime, it would benefit you if you grabbed a copy of open office download: OpenOffice.org Downloads

Will update as soon as available.

Graham

Graham Maddison · 04-12-2009, 02:30 PM

Just a quick update for anyone interested, I have put together a spread sheet suitable for newbie business owners. The reporting format emphasises keeping within budget.

Anyone interested can follow the link in my signature.

I hope it helps.

Graham

Adaptive · 04-12-2009, 06:51 PM

Graham, I just tried it and got an Open Office error message. I'm on OO 2.2. Do I need to upgrade to version 3?

Regards,
Allen

Audrey Harvey · 04-13-2009, 02:18 AM

Thanks very much, Graham, looks very helpful indeed.

Allen, I had no problems with it using OO version 3, I'd suggest you upgrade.

Oscar D · 04-13-2009, 02:40 AM

I also got an error and I have 2.3

Do you have a version that will work with excel, or can you please create on if you get a chance?

Thank you

Calvin Woon · 04-13-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Maddison

Just a quick update for anyone interested, I have put together a spread sheet suitable for newbie business owners. The reporting format emphasises keeping within budget.

Anyone interested can follow the link in my signature.

I hope it helps.

Graham

Hi Graham,

thanks for the initiative.. But I have a small piece of advice with regards to your squeeze page.. it might be useful to take out the background as it's really distracting which could decrease your opt-in conversions.

just my two cents..

Calvin

Graham Maddison · 04-13-2009, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar D

I also got an error and I have 2.3

Do you have a version that will work with excel, or can you please create on if you get a chance?

Thank you

Hi Oscar D,

I'll see what I can do for you.....I have just been called into work however so it will be a couple of hours before I can attempt it.

I'll PM you when I have done it.

Cheers,

Graham.

Graham Maddison · 04-13-2009, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audrey Harvey

Thanks very much, Graham, looks very helpful indeed.

Allen, I had no problems with it using OO version 3, I'd suggest you upgrade.

Hi Audrey,

Glad to be of help.

Please let me know if you encounter any problems.

Graham

Graham Maddison · 04-13-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin Woon

Hi Graham,

thanks for the initiative.. But I have a small piece of advice with regards to your squeeze page.. it might be useful to take out the background as it's really distracting which could decrease your opt-in conversions.

just my two cents..

Calvin

Thanks for the advice Calvin, but it has a purpose in as much as it shows something of what is inside, but I will monitor it.

Thanks again

Graham

Graham Maddison · 04-13-2009, 04:04 AM

Update:

There is now an XL 97/2000 version available......I don't have time to try it out myself, so please let me know of any probs.

Graham

Oscar D · 04-13-2009, 09:03 AM

Thank you very much for making the excel version.

I have downloaded it and it is working well. I will let you know if there are any problems, but so far its great!

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Maddison

Hi Oscar D,

I'll see what I can do for you.....I have just been called into work however so it will be a couple of hours before I can attempt it.

I'll PM you when I have done it.

Cheers,

Graham.

Adaptive · 04-14-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

I had no problems with it using OO version 3

Thanks, Audrey, I'm downloading OO3 now - got about half an hour to go.

Graham, thanks for the alternative version as well. I'll try that too. (I don't have Excel available right now.)

Regards,
Allen

reapr · 04-27-2009, 11:03 PM

After purchasing Quickbooks and one who was use to a simple spreadsheet. All I have to say is quickbooks lets you know where your are at a glance.

After setting up quickbooks and using it for a few weeks all I can say is if you have more time than money stay with the spreadsheet. If your are moving forward with your business and you time is worth a lot go with quickbooks or something equivalent.

Traffic-Bug · 04-27-2009, 11:14 PM

I am bad at maths, I never liked maths in the first place, so accounting gives me the shivers. I would probably outsource it to someone who knows what is accounting and what is it all about.

artwebster · 04-28-2009, 01:06 AM

Salesmen do not ask "Is there a need?"

Salesmen talk to prospects and create the desire.

With the correct fact find and a properly constructed presentation, a desire can be created for a product that is not needed at all.

Many people don't have a clue about spread sheets and are probably a good market in which to create the desire for one -

Accounts getting you down?
Can't be sure you have calculated the tax correctly?
Finding it difficult to maintain current totals?
Is it difficult to reassign a payment or receipt?
Wouldn't you like to be able to see, at a glance, your various profit figures?
Not sure which items are which side of the cut-off?

and so on.

04-10-2009, 04:54 AM	#1
Graham Maddison Graham Maddison War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Luton, England Posts: 860 Thanks: 165 Thanked 148 Times in 97 Posts Social Networking	Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? I was just wondering if there would be a need for a simple diy accounting spreadsheet. I have had quite a bit of experience in setting up exel spread sheets for my former businesses and was thinking of setting a template up in open source. with full instructions on how to use it. Do you think there would be a need for this? Graham
	make money with no money Quick Start To Internet Marketing The Newbie Manuals

04-10-2009, 05:47 AM	#2
ProductCreator converts at 1 in 20 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 819 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 17 Thanked 58 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? I created my own, a multi-page sheet that links into a cover sheet. Probably something like this might be useful to total spreadsheet noobs who have never even linked sheets together.
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04-10-2009, 01:06 PM	#5
Mary Laine HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 125 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? I think it is a great idea! Although I already have something in place, I would always be willing to look at others to see what they are doing different! So as a give a way, a great idea. To sell, well.... maybe not.

04-10-2009, 08:04 PM	#6
JasonKing Groundhog Day Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 1,147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Can you share more Graham? What would it look like? What is its purpose? (For a newbie, who doesn't know much about all this finance stuff)

04-10-2009, 11:30 PM	#7
talewins Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: , , USA. Posts: 1,110 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 9 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Yes, and in a hurry as more and more people jump into business head first. Another big market, a budget for people going broke. Every check that bounces costs them dough. I made up one for my daughter and she began using it to help people get their lives under control. Within weeks, and without advertising her business was driving her into exhaustion. "Suzy says you can help me.." Today she called and said she wasn't doing this any more. "I'm retired, not looking for more work!."
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04-11-2009, 05:12 AM	#8
Audrey Harvey Vetwriter War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Australia. Posts: 446 Thanks: 29 Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Yes please ! My accountant is going to fire me and refer me to her worst enemy, LOL.
	Vetwriter

04-11-2009, 06:02 AM	#9
Graham Maddison Graham Maddison War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Luton, England Posts: 860 Thanks: 165 Thanked 148 Times in 97 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Okay guys, I hear you I am in the process of setting a spreadsheet up and then I will write a step-by-step guide on how to use it. Hopefully will be completed for use over the easter holiday. In the meantime, it would benefit you if you grabbed a copy of open office download: OpenOffice.org Downloads Will update as soon as available. Graham
	make money with no money Quick Start To Internet Marketing The Newbie Manuals

04-12-2009, 02:30 PM	#10
Graham Maddison Graham Maddison War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Luton, England Posts: 860 Thanks: 165 Thanked 148 Times in 97 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Just a quick update for anyone interested, I have put together a spread sheet suitable for newbie business owners. The reporting format emphasises keeping within budget. Anyone interested can follow the link in my signature. I hope it helps. Graham
	make money with no money Quick Start To Internet Marketing The Newbie Manuals

04-12-2009, 06:51 PM	#11
Adaptive HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 423 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 61 Thanked 76 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Graham, I just tried it and got an Open Office error message. I'm on OO 2.2. Do I need to upgrade to version 3? Regards, Allen

04-13-2009, 02:18 AM	#12
Audrey Harvey Vetwriter War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Australia. Posts: 446 Thanks: 29 Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Thanks very much, Graham, looks very helpful indeed. Allen, I had no problems with it using OO version 3, I'd suggest you upgrade.
	Vetwriter

04-13-2009, 02:40 AM	#13
Oscar D Captain War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 779 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 45 Thanked 30 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? I also got an error and I have 2.3 Do you have a version that will work with excel, or can you please create on if you get a chance? Thank you
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04-13-2009, 04:04 AM	#18
Graham Maddison Graham Maddison War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Luton, England Posts: 860 Thanks: 165 Thanked 148 Times in 97 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Update: There is now an XL 97/2000 version available......I don't have time to try it out myself, so please let me know of any probs. Graham
	make money with no money Quick Start To Internet Marketing The Newbie Manuals

04-27-2009, 11:03 PM	#21
reapr Redneck Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pacific North West, WA, USA Posts: 494 Thanks: 12 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? After purchasing Quickbooks and one who was use to a simple spreadsheet. All I have to say is quickbooks lets you know where your are at a glance. After setting up quickbooks and using it for a few weeks all I can say is if you have more time than money stay with the spreadsheet. If your are moving forward with your business and you time is worth a lot go with quickbooks or something equivalent.

04-27-2009, 11:14 PM	#22
Traffic-Bug Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 929 Thanks: 0 Thanked 44 Times in 39 Posts Social Networking	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? I am bad at maths, I never liked maths in the first place, so accounting gives me the shivers. I would probably outsource it to someone who knows what is accounting and what is it all about.

04-28-2009, 01:06 AM	#23
artwebster Brutal honesty's me Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Coín, Spain Posts: 1,012 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 27 Thanked 232 Times in 125 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Is there a need for a simple diy bookkeeping spreadsheet? Salesmen do not ask "Is there a need?" Salesmen talk to prospects and create the desire. With the correct fact find and a properly constructed presentation, a desire can be created for a product that is not needed at all. Many people don't have a clue about spread sheets and are probably a good market in which to create the desire for one - Accounts getting you down? Can't be sure you have calculated the tax correctly? Finding it difficult to maintain current totals? Is it difficult to reassign a payment or receipt? Wouldn't you like to be able to see, at a glance, your various profit figures? Not sure which items are which side of the cut-off? and so on.
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