Any accountant types care to dispense some advice?

[SacredCow]

My S/O has opted to be treasurer for our Mardi Gras Krewe in the coming year. I just got a glance at their system, and was kind of shocked. They're doing everything manually, which seems to me to be going out of your way to make things needlessly complicated and/or time-consuming.

I'm in absolutely NO way a financial type of person- I gladly pay to have my taxes done. However, I can't help but think that a very basic software package would make things a lot easier. Quicken, Peachtree, Microsoft Money, et. al.

The organization of the Krewe is exceedingly simple. We have members that pay dues, corporate sponsors and we have fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for the Mardi Gras ball and funding our charitable endeavors. Of course, we have vendors, but there is no payroll. That's pretty much the extent of things.

Any advice on software possibilities would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

[lizziegrace]

1. QuickBooks is easiest

There's a non-profit version of it, but I don't think you'll have that kind of activity and it's expensive.

You can use the class and job functions to track specific income and expenses. You can also add accounts to accomodate other activities.

You do NOT need to subscribe to their payroll updates, but you will need to periodically update the software through the online service.

I'd be happy to help in any way.

PM me if you'd like.

:hi:

[SacredCow]

7. So you're talking about the online quickbooks, then?

That sounds like it might work well for us.

I downloaded the trial of Peachtree last night, and it seemed OK but more geared towards a traditional business (with payroll, employees, inventories, etc...).

I'll check into quickbooks and may very well hit you up for some further info!

Thank you kindly!

[lizziegrace]

8. I guess I'm old school

You can download a copy from their site after you pay, but I would never store my data on a website. I meant that occasionally Quickbooks has updates to the software. Those are fine. If you're not using payroll, don't get sucked into the payroll updates. After a period of time, they cost $$ and are of no value to you.

[SacredCow]

10. OK- Now I understand...

I wouldn't want to store any of this on the website, if only because that implies that anyone would be able to access it and we don't want that idea getting around. Not that any of our members are underhanded, but PLENTY of them are busy-bodies! LOL

[sandnsea]

2. It depends

The thing about computers is that it does so much cool stuff that you sometimes end up keeping track of more stuff and make a bigger job than you had to begin with. If it's straight-forward record keeping, a small number of receipts and payments, it might be just as easy to just write the number down and be done with it. Repeat billings, payments, that's the sort of thing that makes computers useful. Plus if you have older people, they might want to be able to just look at records on paper without having to learn a computer program.

[SacredCow]

5. I hear what you're saying...

Where I think the software will be handy is for the financial statements. As Ball time draws near, the captains start stressing over the budget and start asking for statements on an almost daily basis.

As for repeat billings and payments, our dues are payable in installments and there have been instances in the past where there was some question as to who had paid what.

[sandnsea]

6. Wll in that case, yeah

And QuickBooks is very very easy to learn.

[Floogeldy]

3. What type of organization under the IRS code?

[SacredCow]

4. I honestly don't know...

Truth be told, it's more like a club than anything else- we don't make any kinds of profits.

[MrCoffee]

9. What krewe? I have no accounting advice to offer, just curious.

[SacredCow]

11. Krewe of Apollo- Baton Rouge n/t