Basic Bookkeeping Training

Basic Bookkeeping Training 

Course Overview

What we'll cover:

• Why bookkeeping matters (it's not just for accountants!)
• The basic accounting equation that drives everything
• Setting up a simple chart of accounts
• Choosing between cash vs. accrual accounting (and when it matters)

Hands-on activity: Create a basic chart of accounts for a fictional small business

Homework: Gather receipts from your own spending for one week

Recording Daily Transactions

What we'll cover:

• The golden rule: every transaction has two sides
• How to read and record from receipts, invoices, and bank statements
• Common transaction types you'll see every day
• Using basic bookkeeping software (we'll demo QuickBooks and show free alternatives)

Hands-on activity: Record a week's worth of business transactions using practice documents

Real talk moment: Common mistakes beginners make and how to catch them early

Bank Reconciliation Made Simple

What we'll cover:

• Why your books and bank statement won't match (and that's normal)
• Step-by-step bank reconciliation process
• Finding and fixing common discrepancies
• When to panic vs. when it's just a timing difference

Hands-on activity: Reconcile a practice bank statement with transaction records

Pro tip session: Using bank feeds and automatic matching features

Managing Accounts Receivable & Payable

What we'll cover:

• Tracking who owes you money (and staying on top of collections)
• Managing bills and payment schedules
• Creating simple invoices that actually get paid
• When and how to follow up on overdue accounts

Hands-on activity: Set up an aging report and create collection follow-up templates

Discussion: Dealing with difficult customers and late payments (real scenarios)

Payroll Basics & Tax Preparation

What we'll cover:

• Payroll fundamentals (even if you use a service, you need to understand this)
• Required tax withholdings and where that money goes
• Quarterly tax obligations and deadlines
• Organizing records for your accountant (they'll love you for this)

Hands-on activity: Calculate payroll taxes for sample employees

Resource sharing: Free tools and templates for small business tax tracking

Reports That Actually Help Your Business

What we'll cover:

• Generating profit & loss statements that make sense
• Reading your balance sheet (it's not as scary as it looks)
• Cash flow tracking and why it matters more than profit sometimes
• Creating simple budget vs. actual reports

Hands-on activity: Generate and interpret basic financial reports

Wrap-up: Building good bookkeeping habits and knowing when to get professional help

Course Materials Included:

• Workbook with templates and checklists
• Sample documents for practice (invoices, receipts, bank statements)
• Software trial access and setup guides
• Resource list of free and low-cost bookkeeping tools
• "Emergency contact" list of when to call your accountant

What You'll Walk Away With:

• Confidence to handle daily bookkeeping tasks
• A system for staying organized year-round
• Knowledge of what you can handle yourself vs. what needs a professional
• Templates and checklists to keep you on track
• Understanding of the "why" behind bookkeeping rules (not just the "how")

Note: This training focuses on practical skills for small business owners and office staff. We'll keep the accounting theory to a minimum and focus on what you actually need to know to keep good records and make informed business decisions.