Product Description

No trained bookkeeper on staff? No problem. Many nonprofits don't have a trained bookkeeper on staff. This crucial function goes to whoever has the time and the willingness to do it. Lack of accounting training or background is not only frustrating for the individual, but also potentially risky for the nonprofit. Bookkeeping Basics will enable you to successfully meet the basic bookkeeping requirements of your organization. It gives you the knowledge and skills to track the financial activity of your nonprofit in a way that brings order out of chaos, safeguards the organization's assets, and provides useful information for making sound decisions. Clearly defines what you most need to know. In plain language, the book explains concepts and processes you most need to know, including: Single- versus double-entry bookkeeping, Cash versus accrual basis accounting, Posting financial transactions, Keeping a ""paper trail"" of source documents, Preparing a trial balance, Creating financial statements, Establishing internal controls, Preparing for your annual audit, Closing out your fiscal year. Step-by-step instructions, clear definitions of terms, and detailed examples help you put concepts into actions. Reproducible forms include an accounts payable register, accounts receivable register, accounts receivable register, general ledger, financial summary form, grant tracking form, internal controls activity flow chart, and an audit preparation checklist. Bottom line: If you're the bookkeeper for your nonprofitby choice or defaultthis book is for you!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #170924 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Review
"Bookkeeping Basics is a ‘must have.’ It’s essential for synchronizing the efforts of all of your staff members." -- Dawn Scranton, Administrator, Accounting Directors Inc., West Palm Beach, FL

"Short, concise, and not intimidating, with many reproducible forms. The internal control sections are wonderful." -- Gloria Nedved, CEO, Ripple Creek Business Solutions, Inc., Denver, CO

"The step-by-step approach combined with the tips , sample forms, and the audit preparation checklist are of tremendous value." -- William K. Flowers, CPA, Financial Consultant, Nonprofit Financial Center, Chicago, IL

"The step-by-step flow of information in this books answers the what, when, why, and how questions non-accountants have about bookkeeping." -- Anita Moreno-Navarro, Office Manager, Texas Nonprofit Network, San Antonio, TX

About the Author
DEBRA L. RUEGG is a principal and senior consultant with the LarsonAllen Public Service Group, a leading financial management consulting firm for nonprofits, foundations, and entrepreneurial government entities. She has worked extensively with local and national foundations and nonprofits on financial assessments, financial systems, internal operating systems, and organizational assessments and design. She is coauthor (with Susan Kenny Stevens) of Budgeting Your Way to Financial Stability. LISA M. VENKATRATHNAM is a freelance writer and owner of White Fence Communications. She previously served as a consultant at the LarsonAllen Public Service Group. She is coauthor of several books and numerous studies.

Customer Reviews

A bookkeeping book for non-profits
The book is very good for an understanding of bookkeeping for non-profits with many reminders, charts and instructions. It continually emphasized what was discussed in earlier chapters. And, it gave a review of the bookkeeping basics. There is a lot of information for medium to large non-profits. The book discusses accrual and cash basis. This book would be a good tool for a medium or large organization. The book gave me confidence to do the job as treasurer of a small non-profit as I was reminded of the things I learned in accounting classes that I had many years ago.

Good resource for the basic concepts
Clear, practical and well-organized resource for new bookkeepers and accounting students without bookkeeping experience who want to better understand the accounting cycle. Very user-friendly.

Just what I was looking for
I needed a crash course in setting up a chart of accounts for a small not-for-profit organization. I have studied basic bookkeeping and accounting in school, but it did not go into nonprofit and fund accounting. This book was a great help.