Author: Quentin Pain
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Welcome Bookkeepers and Business Owners to 2013
I have been passionate about accounting ever since I started my first business back in 1979 in the UK. It grew quickly and became successful, and I developed a computer program during that time to run the accounts of the business. So here we are 33 years later and a LOT wiser, plus a few more…
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2012 And All That
Another year is upon us and at a time of world recession, you can not do better than being a bookkeeper. The number of new startup businesses is increasing globally because of redundancies and people unwilling to work for others. The one thing they all have in common is that they don’t want to learn…
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Advanced Balance Sheet Theory
If you are not familiar with balance sheets you should take my bookkeeping course first as I don’t want to put anyone off with this article. OK, with the warning out of the way, let’s press on… With most accounting systems, things like balance sheets are considered as reports. That is, something you need to…
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On Journals And Ledgers
It’s been an incredibly busy month here on Accounting for Everyone, with many wonderful new comments on the various weeks’ course material. It took me many years to really understand double-entry. I did it by reading all the books I could get my hands on, and talking to thousands of business owners, oh, and the…
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Thank You For Subscribing
I just had to write a thank you note to all my loyal subscribers. Thank you so much for subscribing to Accounting for Everyone. Your comments have been fantastic, and the Facebook recommendations have also been overwhelming. Please do continue to recommend this course as I know it is helping a lot of people understand…
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Problems and Solutions
Understanding the Customer’s Perspective Active Listening: The First Step to Solving Problems Many businesses underestimate the power of truly listening to their customers, preferring rigid scripts and policies. Active listening means giving customers your full attention, reflecting their concerns, and asking clarifying questions. When you do this you signal that you value their issue, and…
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Happy New Year 2011
We are on the last day of 2010 and for me this year has gone way too fast. I don’t know whether it is simply because I am older – and everyone I know is also a year older! but they all say the same thing. Fast, fast fast! Luckily in terms of bookkeeping, nothing…
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Free Accounting Course
Any accounting course will take you through the basics, but to really get ahead quickly take our 12 week accounting and bookkeeping course. – FREE edition. Armed with this, you will get the fundamentals of accounting firmly fixed in your memory. From simple transactions right through to the balance sheet, this accounting course and bookkeeping…
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Bookkeeping Course
Why Enroll in the 12-Week Bookkeeping Course? If you have not joined my free 12-week bookkeeping course yet, now is a great time to take the next step in your bookkeeping journey. This course is designed to give you a strong foundation in bookkeeping, offering a unique approach that makes complicated topics easier to understand.…
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UK Mileage Allowance and VAT Scale Charge
Understanding UK Mileage Allowance and VAT Scale Charge for Business Vehicles When using a private vehicle for business purposes in the UK, businesses have several options to claim expenses related to fuel and vehicle use. Navigating these options can be complex, but understanding the key choices and how they impact VAT recovery and tax expenses…
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Bad Debts
Every business will suffer from a bad debt at some point in its life and this short guide will show you how to account for them in your business. A bad debt is where a customer does not pay you for work done. That could be for many reasons: Bankruptcy Refuses to pay Disputes your…
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UK Spending Review 2010
George Osborne announced his long awaited spending review today to reduce Britain’s deficit by around $81bn over 4 years. All departments will need to reduce expenditure significantly with an overall job reduction in the public sector of just under 500,000. HMRC have published a series of graphs and charts on the subject available on Flikr. Quentin…
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Invoicing and VAT in the UK
In the UK and most of the EU there are rules on what must appear on a sales invoice if you are registered for VAT. Obviously those rules vary from one country to another, and you will need to check with your local inland revenue service, but there are some general rules that you should…
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UK VAT Early Settlement Discount or PPD New Rules
Understanding UK VAT Early Settlement Discount (Prompt Payment Discount) Rules This article, last checked and updated July 2025 (see this), explores the rules around VAT and early settlement discounts, also known as prompt payment discounts (PPD), in the UK. The approach to VAT on early payment discounts changed significantly from 1st April 2015. Below, you’ll…
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Money Laundering Update
Understanding the Evolution of Money Laundering Regulations Since the terrorist attacks of the early 2000s, governments worldwide have taken significant steps to tighten financial regulations. These measures aim to prevent the misuse of financial systems for illicit purposes, including terrorism financing and organized crime. One of the most prominent responses has been the implementation of…
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Money Laundering
Money laundering refers to the process of concealing the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by passing it through a complex sequence of banking transfers or commercial transactions. While laundering itself is an ancient practice, the global legal framework addressing it has expanded dramatically in recent years, especially in response to growing concerns about terrorism…
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Bookkeeping Business From Home Part 5
Keeping Clients in Your Home Bookkeeping Business In Part 1 of this guide, we covered the basics of starting a bookkeeping business from home. Part 2 explored finding your first clients or partners. Part 3 focused on building your professional image, and Part 4 examined how to market your business. In this final part, we’ll…
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Bookkeeping Business From Home Part 4
Bookkeeping Business From Home: Getting Your First Clients In Part 1 of this guide, we covered the basics of setting up your bookkeeping business. Part 2 introduced ways to find your first partners, while Part 3 explored how to build and present your professional image. This section dives into one of the most exciting and…
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Bookkeeping Business From Home Part 3
Building a Bookkeeping Business from Home – Part 3: Going Direct to Clients In Part 1 of this guide, we covered the basics of setting up your home bookkeeping business. Part 2 introduced strategies for finding partners and collaborators. In this section, we’ll explore one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of running your…
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Resources
Summary: The Definitive Free Guide To Bookkeeping For Beginners Purpose & Audience:This comprehensive guide is designed for three main groups: those wanting to start a bookkeeping business, small business owners wishing to do their own books, and people seeking employment in bookkeeping. It emphasizes practical advice, based on the author’s extensive experience, and aims to…