How to Set Up QuickBooks for Landscapers

When it comes to bookkeeping needs, QuickBooks has become a very popular software program. You do not need to be an experienced accountant to use QuickBooks but just know basic accounting terms in order to utilize the software. QuickBooks makes it something that could be essential for landscapers who are running a small business to use.

1. Purchase the QuickBooks Software that will suit your needs for example, the QuickBooks Small Business software.


2. Take the QuickBooks software and install it onto your computer. The best option to use when doing this is the step-by-step interview process, which will guide you through the process of setting up the account. During the process the program will ask what the type of business is being set up and you will chose landscaping in the available options. The program will automatically create the necessary charts for the accounting needs for a landscaping business.


3. Create the separate accounts for income and expenses. When it comes to income it will be necessary to create more then one account, since income can be made through different means, such as doing basic landscaping, landscaping design and other landscaping needs. So keeping track of these different jobs will be essential when keeping track of the expenses of each job and the billing for payment. You can utilize the Customer/Job box in order to keep track of these transactions.


4. Enter in the “Equity Account” column the amount that is being invested into the business. Then enter into the “Account” box just below the bank account number in which the money has been deposited.


5. Enter in the fixed assets by going to the chart of accounts then hit the control button plus the letter N. This will make it possible to enter in the new fixed assets account. With difficult transactions, you can also use the fixed asset manager in the QuickBooks help menu.


6. Create the different customer type accounts. This feature can be essential in a landscaping business to keep track of the different type of customers, such as a one-time maintenance job, regular maintenance or a landscaping design job.


7. Go to the “Sample Company” files and look for the Sample Company called “Larry’s landscaping.” From this example, get an idea of how a ledger for a landscaping company should look. You can also copy over aspects of the sample that you like and want to use yourself.