Quickbooks anyone?

[shutterbug_wannabe]

I did a search and only came up with one post regarding the use of Quickbooks (I am using Quickbooks Simple Start which happens to be free) for photography business accounting. I am wondering who uses it and if we could trade some posting/accounting method info. I just began using it this past August and I love it, but I do have some questions about how to post certain items and record expenses/purchases from Zenfolio.

[kirbinster]

I use Quickbooks Pro for a non-photo business, but would be glad to try to help you out.

[shutterbug_wannabe]

Thanks Kirbinster...I will get back to this later today. I have a full day and will probably be home to ask my questions after 7pm tonight.

[shutterbug_wannabe]

Ok, man I've been busy...anyway, my first question is how to record session fees (non-taxable) verses print sales (taxable) and also the service fee charged by Zenfolio when prints are sold? Also, when entering deposits (payments for jobs) should I use the name of the client in the payee space or something else?

[kirbinster]

Originally Posted by shutterbug_wannabe

Ok, man I've been busy...anyway, my first question is how to record session fees (non-taxable) verses print sales (taxable) and also the service fee charged by Zenfolio when prints are sold? Also, when entering deposits (payments for jobs) should I use the name of the client in the payee space or something else?

Well the answer to all of these is it depends. Sorry, but it really depends on what information you want to be able to extract later on. There is a place where you can create a list of the items which you sell and identify if they are taxable or not. When you enter that item it will automatically apply the sales tax to the taxable items. For my business I don't care about who the customer is for most items, so I just code the items, but sometimes I also pick who it was sold to if I care to track the purchase made by that customers. Bottom line, like in any database application you have to design the input based on what output you are ultimately going to want or need.