If you're anything like me and consider your time precious, when I do a search for a topic and go to a site
I want to quickly determine if the site has any useful information, products, tools, etc. that will benefit me and
be worth my time to browse. The following site summary is presented to aid you
in determining if my site is worth your time to explore.
For those of you that don't know, the term bean counter is slang for a bookkeeper.
Let's also define accounting and bookkeeping.
Accounting is the art of analyzing, recording, summarizing, reporting, reviewing,
and interpreting financial information.
Bookkeeping is one of the components of accounting. Think of accounting as the mom and bookkeeping
as one of her children. Bookkeeping is the process of recording and classifying business financial transactions (activities).
In simple language-maintaining the records of a businesses or an individual's financial activities.
Bookkeeping's objective is simply to record and summarize financial transactions into a usable form that
provides financial information about a business.
Why would you want to learn bookkeeping and
keep up to date financial records anyway ?
Can't you hire an accountant to come after the end of the year and get your check book and shoe box
and do your taxes ? Sure you can ! And yes you will have adequately fulfilled your taxpayer obligations.
But in order to run a business and know what, where, and when to take corrective actions requires business information.
How do you get and where do you find this information ? You don't if you don't keep accurate and current
records about your business financial activities (bookkeeping).
Most, if not all of us, hate keeping records, but the days of operating a business by
the seat of our pants have long gone.
While the featured topic of this site is bookkeeping and accounting that's not the only small business
topic or subject covered.
My intent is
to provide a site with a little humor blended in where real,
helpful, and mostly free small business accounting and bookkeeping information,
tools, tutorials/courses, and products can be found, acquired, and used by small businesses and individuals.
Surfing the Web and actually finding what you're looking for
without being bombarded by ads and promotions and what seems like an endless choice of links and sign ups
for newsletters is quite a challenge. It reminds me of the old saying that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find
a prince or princess. The goal of my site is to be a prince.
In a nutshell, my site Bean Counter is primarily an educational and information site
that offers free accounting and bookkeeping tutorials/courses, tests, and quizzes. Guidance and recommendations are also
provided for finding additional, mostly free, useful sources of small business information
such as more accounting and bookkeeping tutorials/courses and information, other small business topic tutorials/courses
and information, business simulations, business software, tools, and much more.
In addition, useful sources of information are also provided for individuals such as learning about computers
and the internet, scams, income taxes, and personal finances.
If you need small business help and information, want to learn a
little about bookkeeping and accounting or actually learn how to do bookkeeping,
need bookkeeping and accounting or other business software,
small business guides and information, business tutorials/courses or other useful
products, information, or services for small business and individuals you have found the right site.
In a hurry or pressed for time ?
My site provides a bunch of useful small business information and tutorials about accounting
and bookkeeping, even if I do say so myself. Don't believe me ? See what others have to say.
Too much to digest in one sitting. I realize you're a busy person so
why not Add Us To Your Favorites and browse my site as your time permits.
What Information is Presented and How's My Site Organized ?
My Main Menu located at the top of each page is comprised of the following selections:
Tutorial Center
The Tutorial Selection recommends sites providing free tutorials and courses about various small business subjects.
Links are included to my own tutorial site dedicated to bookkeeping and accounting tutorials and topics, to other sites
providing accounting tutorials and bookkeeping and accounting information and topics as well as
to recommended tutorials and topics about marketing, statistics, economics, project management, excel and word,
and building websites.
The Selections Available Include:
My Bookkeeping and Accounting Tutorial Site
My own free online tutorials cover a range of accounting topics - with just a dose of humor.
Additional information regarding my tutorials is presented in the section titled
My Featured Accounting and Bookkeeping Tutorials.
Recommended Sites Providing Word and Excel Tutorials
Both Excel and Word are excellent business tools, but like any tool
only if you know how to use them. Get educated ! Check out some of the
following tutorials.
Recommended Sites Providing Marketing Tutorials and Information
One of the tougher tasks to running a business is how to
get your message out to your customers.
We sometimes give salesmen a bad rap - somebody has to do it.
No sales equates to no profits.
Library Center
The Library Center Selection is divided into two categories. A library link to business topics
related to small business and a library link for individuals.
Library Center for Businesses
Recommended sites providing all sorts of financial and business information, statistics, guides, and tools.
Library Center for Individuals
Life presents us with many and varied types of decisions that we have to make.
Just like a business, in order to make the right decision we need
good tools, information,
and the knowledge of where to go to find it and how to use it.
Recommended sites that
provide you information, advice, and tools to help you
with the difficult financial and other decisions you face.
Tax Center
The Tax Center Selection is divided into two categories. A tax link to business tax topics
and a tax link to topics about individual (personal) taxes.
Business Taxes
Recommended sites providing business tax help.
Unfortunately, as a small business manager you do need to at least be
familiar with federal and state taxes that affect your business.
These sites will at least point you in the right direction.
Personal (Individual) Taxes
Recommended sites that provide useful information and guidance about personal taxes.
Software Center
The Software Center Selection is divided into two categories. A software link to business software
and a software link to software for individuals.
Business Software
Believe it or not, there is some good free business software
available - it's just hard to find !
Recommended sites that provide you with mostly free business software
to aid you in the day to day operation of your business.
Personal (Individual) Software
Looking for some good home software or some free games ?
I've listed some of my top picks for free software, information, tips, games, and fun stuff for all computer users.
Take a moment and see if any of my recommended sites might fill some of your needs.
Other Resources
Website Products and Services
Mostly free tutorials, e-books, software, graphics, tools, search engine and
directory listings, services, and information used to develop, host, and promote web sites.
Learn how to make and promote your own web site.
Excel Templates
Looking for some good free Excel Spreadsheet Business Templates ?
Unfortunately, most of the good templates I've run across are
not free. Most of the free templates offered are simple spreadsheets
without any complex calculations used and can easily be created
on your own. I did however find a few sites offering free
templates that are worth a visit.
Calculators
Having the proper tool(s) to analyze business and personal decisions
and perform business analysis and calculations makes
the task a lot simpler. These sites provide you with the calculators
you need to make your job a little easier.
Newbie Center
Site devoted to educating new computer users.
Free tutorials and e-books help new users
understand and use computers, software, and the internet.
Remember at one time we were all newbies !
Oh, bye the way experienced computer users can also benefit from these sites.
Scam Center
Don't Get Injured From Scams.
Please don't get conned by the
GET RICH SCHEMES ! Beware of Work at Home businesses and Network Marketing companies that
do not offer a "real" product. Before you part with your hard earned money check out these sites.
My Dirt Cheap Website Hosting
My hosting site provides reasonably priced web hosting services for individuals and small businesses.
My Link Buddies
Have a good business or accounting related site ? Add your site to Bean Counter's
My Link Buddies or check out My Link Buddies for useful accounting and business related products and services.
Be forewarned, only sites with useful small business accounting or business related information
are accepted.
Lighter Side
Take a moment to get a few chuckles at the expense of accountants.
Contacts and References
Contact Us
Information on how to get in touch with me.
Kind Notes
See what others have to say about my site.
Privacy Policy
Protecting your privacy is important to us.
See our policies and how Bean Counter collects, uses and
safeguards the personal information you provide to us on our site.
Bookmark My Site
Put us in your list of favorites and check back as new information is continually being
developed and added to my site.
Newsletter
Sign up for my newsletter and stay informed when new bookkeeping and accounting tutorials, recommended accounting
related sites, software, products, tools, and small business bookkeeping and accounting
information are added to my site.
My Featured Accounting and Bookkeeping Tutorials, E-Books and CD Versions, and Tips
Bean Counter's Free Bookkeeping Tutorial So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
This bookkeeping tutorial is geared to owners, managers, and individuals who
have not had any formal bookkeeping training or on the job experience and
need or want to learn the basics of bookkeeping and accounting.
This free online bookkeeping course is composed of sequential online bookkeeping lessons, covering the bookkeeping language,
terminology and definitions; bookkeeping systems; debits and credits; double entry bookkeeping; financial statements;
how transactions are properly analyzed, recorded, and summarized; property and property rights; the
accounting equation; the cash and accrual basis of accounting; the general ledger and journals; types of business
activities; types of organizations; and more.
In other words, this online bookkeeping course
is for beginners (newbies) and is only an introduction into the world
of accounting. They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Well my goal is
to make you dangerous. So, if you want to or need to learn the basics of bookkeeping give
it a try.
My free So, you want to learn Bookkeeping! introductory bookkeeping course introduces you to basic bookkeeping and my style of
presenting information.
In addition to my Introductory Bookkeeping Tutorial, I've "cooked up" some additional
courses (Bean Counter Series
Of Bookkeeping Tutorials) for those of
you wanting or needing some additional bookkeeping and accounting education. If you've acquired a taste
and have an appetite for more of my kind of cooking you need to check out these
additional free accounting tutorials.
Bean Counter's So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
Chart Of Accounts
Bean Counter's So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
Merchandise Inventory
Bean Counter's So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
Special Journals
Bean Counter's So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
Cash
Bean Counter's So, you want to learn Bookkeeping!
Payroll
These free bookkeeping and accounting courses are presented on my Bookkeeping Tutorial Site
which I've set up and is dedicated to providing my own series of bookkeeping and accounting
tutorials aimed at the small business man or woman or anyone needing a little help and
wanting to learn a little about bookkeeping and accounting or actually learn how to do bookkeeping.
Are the tutorials any good ? Of course I'm going
to say yes cause I wrote them. Why not see what others have said about my bookkeeping lessons.
See What Others Say
Other Excellent Bookkeeping and Accounting Educational Resources
Since I offer my own bookkeeping and accounting courses, why would I recommend someone elses ? My answer is made up of three reasons.
Different teachers or instructors use different methods and techniques for presenting accounting learning
materials. What a student might not grasp or understand from one teacher, they might easily grasp from another.
There are other excellent accounting and bookkeeping training tutorials besides my own.
Lastly, repetition. The more times you're exposed to something, the more likely it's going to sink in.
More free bookkeeping and accounting tutorials, courses, and information and tools .........
Bean Counter Education
Featured Small Business Resources
Bean Counter's Tips For Small Business The Steps In The Ladder To A Successful Business
I'm no Dave Letterman, but I've prepared a list of some things that
I've picked up from my experiences that
you as an owner or manager should do to monitor and get a pulse of how well (hopefully) or how badly
(unfortunately) your business is performing. I've also included some tips
to aid in the smooth running of your company and to ensure that
employees in a position of trust are doing their job and some "food for thought".
Most people are honest but why tempt them ? Even Eve got Adam-no offense intended ladies.
No special skills or
accounting knowledge (just some good ole common sense) are necessary in order to perform most of these tasks.
So, you want to start your own company !
It sounds great to be the owner of your own company, but don't be fooled !
Nothing in life is easy and running a successful business requires dedication,
perseverance, and unfortunately, more often than not, in the beginning some long hours.
A little luck wouldn't hurt, but don't count on it.
See what it takes. Check out Bean Counter's To Do List for useful information
and tools to aid you in starting your company and getting up and running.
All you need to know and were afraid to ask about Budgeting, Cash Forecasts, and
Business Plans.
Excellent links to articles, tutorials, and tools to aid your
company in budgeting, cash flow management, and planning.
Site Owner and Creator: David W. Marshall
Born: November 27, 1946
Unfortunately if you do the calculation I'm in my 60's. The good news is that I've got some life experiences
behind me. The bad news is I can't dance all night.
Located: Knoxville, Tennessee
Experience
Working For Myself:
I have been providing small business consulting
and bookkeeping in the Knoxville area for
over 20 years.
I cater to small businesses that are unable
to afford the luxury and cost of a full-time professional staff member
or need some additional outside help.
Working For Others:
Internal Auditor- 10 years
Controller- 5 years
U.S. Army Payroll Clerk- 2 years
Business College Teacher- 2 years
Education, Honors & References
Graduated in 1968 With Honors from the University Of Tennessee
with a B.S. in Accounting.
Go Vols
Member Alpha Kappa Psi
Member Beta Alpha Psi
Testimonials
Although it's sometimes necessary to toot your own horn, it's 100% better
when others toot it for you.
Testimonials
Contact Us/Stay in Touch
If you found the small business and other information on this site useful personally or for your organization,
Add Us To Your Favorites!
Need to contact us ?
Contact Information
Looking for some Good Content for your site visitors ?
If you have a business related site and liked my tutorials, "co-brand" with me and provide your visitors
with a useful free business resource by providing a link from your site to my free tutorial site.
Stay informed when new bookkeeping and accounting tutorials, recommended accounting related sites, software, products, tools, and
small business bookkeeping and accounting information
are added to my site. Sign up for Bean Counter's News Letter .
We respect your right to privacy.
Your e-mail address will not be sold or given to others.
See our complete Privacy Policy
I value your precious time and want to thank you for visiting and exploring my site. I sincerely hope that
you found some useful information. As my way of saying thanks, get my So, you want to learn Bookkeeping - Chart Of Accounts
tutorial Interactive and PDF versions for free by signing up for my newsletter. After signing up, an email
to confirm that you want to be added will be sent. After confirming, you will be directed to your free ebooks.
Bean Counter Newsletter
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our occasional newsletter.
Tips, tricks, new stuff, and
whatever else crosses our minds.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this site is not intended to provide or be a
substitute for specific individualized accounting, tax, legal, business, or investment planning advice.
Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Bean Counter recommends
consultation with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, Financial Planner or Investment Manager.
The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and should
not be considered an individualized recommendation, personalized investment advice
or an endorsement by Bean Counter. The information presented is obtained from what are
considered reliable sources; however, its accuracy, completeness or reliability
cannot be guaranteed and therefore should not be relied upon as such.
Bean Counter accepts no liability for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use
of this information.
