When you open up QuickBooks for the first time, you are entering a completely new world, one that could be incredibly overwhelming without any help.  Fortunately, the program comes with a Setup Wizard that will help walk you through some of the first steps necessary to use the program to keep track of your finances.

The Setup Wizard will ask quite a few questions.  While this tool’s content varies in different versions, you will be providing information about how your company is structured by, for example, selecting a Chart of Accounts that suits your business. You’ll tell QuickBooks which features to turn on and off (like inventory and bill-pay), and you’ll save your company file.

There are other things you can do in your first hour. You may want to view some of the Learning Center Tutorials, accessed through the Help menu. You may also want to check out the Preferences window, which picks up where the Setup Wizard leaves off; it offers numerous options for your interaction with QuickBooks. And you can take a look at the record formats for customers, vendors, and items, and start entering a few.

Once you have these elements in place, you have the groundwork laid to move onto the various transactions that your business will be making.

It’s important to answer questions carefully in the Setup Wizard, though a lot of this other learning and setup can be done as you go along. Still, making a good start can save you a lot of time and frustration later on. We know QuickBooks, and we can help you get started on the right foot. For more in-depth help, visit us at Net Plus Consulting, or call (212) 461-3300.

Net Plus Consulting is a nationwide service provider.  To get started, check out our website or contact us to arrange a free one hour consultation.