When you start a new business, one of the first things you will want to put into place is a good accounting system. In today's economy, it's more important than ever for the small business to track income and expenses, prepare monthly reports, and be ready for tax time. An efficient way to accomplish these tasks is to use accounting software known as Quickbooks. Even if you have an existing business, Quickbooks could be a valuable tool.
A free copy of Quickbooks for your personal use is readily available from the Quickbooks website. System requirements include a high speed Internet connection (DSL, cable modem, or higher) and 2.5 GB of free disk space. Downloading this large program is not recommended for dial-up users. The time necessary for the download varies with the speed of your Internet connection. For example, with a cable modem the process takes approximately 45 minutes.
The free version of Quickbooks is called Simple Start. It is easy to download, and will give you a chance to determine whether you like the program before investing a lot of time or money. These instructions will assist you in the process:
- Open the quickbooks.intuit.com website
- Click the Quickbooks tab at the top
- Place the cursor on the Products and Services tab
- Scroll down and click on Quickbooks Simple Start
- Click the "learn more" in the box on the right-hand side of the screen that says, "Want to Try Before you Buy?"
- Click the blue Download button on the next screen, and your computer will do the rest.
Installation should begin immediately following the download. Once installation is complete, you will be asked a series of questions to register your account, such as the business name, address, email address, and contact information.
The next step will be to complete the business set up. The program will walk you through the process by asking a series of questions. If you are unsure of an answer, it can always be changed later. Also helpful are the numerous tutorials available to assist you along the way.
This free copy of Quickbooks is a full and complete program that will allow you to track sales and expenses for up to 20 customers, create invoices, pay bills, print checks, and organize everything in one convenient location.
For those on the go, a 30-day trial period is also available for the online version. Quickbooks Online allows you access to your information from any computer in any location. You should keep in mind, however, that monthly charges are applicable following Quickbooks Online's trial period.
So go ahead, download your free copy of Quickbooks and get started today. The process is easier than you think.
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