Whether you are in business or you work for an organization, bookkeeping is a process of recording and preparing financial transactions. It is also the process of preparing source documents for all business events, transactions, and operations.
Payroll
Managing payroll bookkeeping is a complicated process. It involves a lot of research and verifying tasks. It also requires a well-organized system.
The first step in the payroll process is setting up new employees. This involves filling out the W-4 form and medical insurance forms. If the employee is not exempt, they may have to fill out a timesheet. Then, they can submit receipts via email.
The next step is posting amounts to payroll accounts. This process can be time-consuming and complicated, especially if there are many employees. A quality accounting program will make the task much easier.
Using software that can post payroll to the general ledger will save you a lot of time and reduce errors. Another advantage of an integrated system is that you can export all of your payroll transactions, saving you from a lot of manual data entry.
The payroll function is also responsible for preparing tax returns. You will need to know how to calculate payroll taxes as well as the correct rate. If you don't have the money to hire an accountant, you can outsource this process to a professional service.
The best way to automate your payroll processing is to look for a software system that can do everything from processing payroll to calculating employee taxes. A company that offers a full service solution will have a dedicated team of expert trainers and customer success managers.
A payroll system is also useful for preparing expense reports and running payments. It will also allow you to create detailed budgets for your employees.
A good payroll system can help you prepare other forms, like tax forms, as well. This can make it easier to comply with all of the government's laws and regulations.
Accounts payable
Whether you have a small business or a large one, accounts payable in bookkeeping is crucial for your company. It tracks your debts and helps you keep track of the balance on your balance sheet. You will want to make sure that you pay your bills on time so that you don't damage your reputation or cause serious problems.
Accounts payable are liabilities that are due within a short period of time. Typically, payments are due in 30 days. You will need to keep up with your bills and make sure that you pay on time to avoid damaging your business relationships with your vendors.
Inaccurate records for your accounts payable may result in your suppliers refusing to give you credit. You will also need to make sure that you have a bookkeeping system in place to ensure that you are paying your debts on time.
Accounts payable are usually the first line item on your balance sheet. In most cases, you will be required to pay your vendors within a year. You may have to increase or decrease your account payable as your business grows and your debts grow.
Typically, the accounts payable department of a large company will be its own department. This allows them to keep their costs low and develop strategies that help them save money. In addition, it gives them direct contact with their vendors.
There are four key steps to the accounts payable process. These are receiving a bill, determining whether a bill is valid, processing the payment, and routing the payment to the appropriate approval team.
In most cases, you will need to use a purchase order to make sure that you are paying your bills on time. Incorrectly entering a bill into the system can cause a big overpayment.
Double-entry system
Luca Pacioli, an Italian monk, is often credited with inventing the double-entry system for bookkeeping. This system allows a company to maintain a balance sheet that reflects the company's financial status. The double-entry system for bookkeeping also helps to monitor an organization's performance.
In a previous era, transactions were recorded by making clay tablets. These were then dried in the sun. These were then used as proof of the transaction. However, as technology advanced, more efficient methods were developed.
The double-entry system for bookkeeping has become the preferred method of recordkeeping for most businesses. In order to maintain a double-entry bookkeeping system, a business or corporation must make two simultaneous entries in its accounts. Then, the bookkeeper must recode the debit and credit sides to reflect the true effects of each transaction.
During the late 15th century, a Franciscan friar named Luca Pacioli worked on an innovative bookkeeping system. He wrote about this in his Summa de Arithmetica, Geometria, Proportioni et Proportionalita. This book was a landmark in accounting history. It also provided the basis for modern financial statements.
In the second half of the 15th century, Luca Pacioli began to travel around Italy and studied the country's accounting system. He then began to overhaul the bookkeeping structure. In 1494, he published a textbook that introduced the double-entry system for bookkeeping.
Initially, the double-entry system was a tool that only the owner of the business could use. However, as time progressed, businesses around Italy adopted the method. Today, the double-entry system for bookkeeping is used by all types of organizations.
This bookkeeping system is highly effective for tangible goods, but it is not as reliable for intangible assets. Intangible assets are those that are not easily recognizable by the eye. They can have a huge impact on a company's pocketbook when it's time to sell them.
Cash basis vs accrual basis
Whether your business is small, medium-sized or a large enterprise, you have to choose between two primary accounting methods: cash basis and accrual basis. Choosing which is best for your business can have a major impact on the financial health of your company.
The main difference between the two is timing. The cash method accounts for revenue and expenses as they are earned, whereas the accrual method accounts for them as they are incurred.
The cash method is generally used by small businesses and sole proprietors. The accrual method is used by larger companies with more complex accounting systems. It's also often used in the financial reporting process.
Although cash basis is the simplest of the two, it can distort the financial picture of your company. It may show your business as profitable when it actually has an empty bank account. You may also have to worry about taxing your income.
The accrual method is more accurate and can help you make better decisions. For example, you could recognize a $5,000 invoice in December as income in 2017 if you use the accrual method. But if you choose the cash method, you'll just see a massive loss in January.
The most important advantage of the accrual method is its accuracy. Using the cash method can lead to serious cash shortages or missing out on valuable assets.
The accrual method is often more time-consuming and labor-intensive. It involves all aspects of a business's finance department. It includes data from accounts receivable, accounts payable and other ancillary areas. It also requires you to post your lines of credit in the proper time period.
Despite the many benefits of the accrual method, it's not the best accounting strategy for all businesses. Those with inventory or ongoing sales should use the accrual method.
TSheets vs Xero
Xero and TSheets are two accounting software applications that can be used to streamline bookkeeping processes. However, they do have some differences. The best fit for your business depends on the specific workflows you're looking for.
Xero offers a robust user community. Unlike other accounting software, it has an open API that allows third party developers to build integrations with it. In addition, it has a solid bank feed system.
Xero allows for easy reconciliation. It features a streamlined invoice entry screen that includes easy look-up options. You can also change item mapping, which will update past transactions. It's also possible to run payruns. It has a mobile app, which is convenient for recording bills on the go.
Xero and TSheets work well with other apps, such as Expensify and Square. Xero's documentation is extensive. It's easy to find information, and it's all public. You can also contact support by phone or online, and you'll receive help promptly.
Xero has more integrations than QuickBooks. It's also more intuitive. It also offers 24/7 online support, which makes it easier to get help whenever you need it.
Xero is available for a low monthly price of $9. But if you're willing to spend more, you can get more options. It has an array of third party integrations that cover a variety of industries. You can also hire a developer to build an integration for you.
TSheets is a cloud-based mobile tool that integrates with Xero Accounting. It helps you track employee hours, export timesheets, and create invoices. It also lets you schedule employees by job. It also helps you comply with DOL regulation.
TSheets and Xero both work well with Gusto. TSheets is an optional add-on to Xero, and you can sign up for a free trial to try it out.

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