Customer Reviews

QuickBooks 2007 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers))

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is actually one of the most complicated and frustrating "for Dummies" books I've ever read and used...yes, yes, I know what you might be surmising...bah.

The book has huge sections (100+ pages) that discuss in detail a lot of accounting information...and this is where the aggravation comes in...which the author ends by summarizing "...but QuickBooks does all of this automatically for you in the background." Well what the...? He couldn't put this upfront, as in, "Hey, these next 3 chapters are for those of you who want to know what's going on behind-the-scenes".....

I'm a business owner, not an accountant - I would have greatly appreciated a lot more heads-up on what I need to focus on and what I can either skip or wait on to come back to later. I run QuickBooks so I can do the basics myself, but then turn it over every quarter to my accountant to verify everything and handle the taxes, etc.

So, if you run your QuickBooks the way I do so you can focus on growing and maintaining your business, and hire an accountant to double-check your work, I cannot recommend this book. If you love the "for Dummies" series and still want to get this, then just focus on pages 69-245; the rest can wait until you have time or the interest.

J. Avellanet, Co-Founder of Cerulean Associates LLC

This is one of the better 'For Dummies' books that I've read.

To be sure most of the book is exactly what you would expect. It's a complete introduction to the QuickBooks accounting system. Being a 'For Dummies' book the othewise rather dry how to use a computer are livened up with a bit of humor here and there. I appreciate this as it tends to help me from going to sleep.

It's the extras in this book that make it easily worth the money, in fact possibly worth several times its cost. The author is a CPA. He has seen what really happens in the business world, and once in a while he provides a simple rule or two. For instance, 'Sign all your own checks.' Simple rule, but it tends to keep people honest. Another rule, 'Review canceled checks before your bookeeper does.' Obvious.

Then there's the discussion on fixed and variable costs vs. revenue. If your rent doesn't go up, selling just a little bit more can yield substantial increases in profits.

These are things that you just don't see in the normal how-to computer book and once again, could be worth far more than the cost of the book.

I actually ordered the book prior to ordering the program to be sure this was the type program we wanted. The book is simple and straight forward and certainly makes learning a new program simpler. Would definitely recommend only for Quickbooks Pro program only. The instructions do not apply to the basic program.

This is a wonderful, basic primer for non-accountants. The explanation of the handling of basic business transactions is quite detailed and well explained.

If you are a financial professional, skip the introductory accounting chapters and go right to the Quickbooks-specific information. Most of what you need will be there, and easily found. Start by reading the information on making an accountant's copy of the books ... before you do anything else.

I was starting from scratch having never used Quickbooks before. I also bought Quickbooks Pro official guide (sold by Quicken), but the Dummies book got me through most of what I needed. Even though neither book is written for Quickbooks for Mac, it's similar enough to get you through. For a small store-owner, these two books combined are pretty much all you need to produce your balance sheet for your CPA.

It never gets around to telling you what to do. You read way too much accounting stuff and then when you say to yourself, "okay I want to do that," there are no instuctions on how to do it. NUTS. Very frustrating!
Steve Counts

This book is way too complicated for a Dummies book, even a math major couldn't understand it, much less someone not familiar with Quickbooks. Waste of money.

Just working with the software and searching google for thing your not sure how to do is the way to go . This book does have a lot of info but it goes into too much detail on small things.. It now has about 2" of dust on it and will probably never be used again.. You really do not need this book

This book is a great help and is written in plain english and so is easy to understand so you can get on with operating quickbooks.

Very down to earth explanation and facts about the product. Would recommend to anyone using Quickbooks as the program can be challenging at times.