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Reviewer’s Guide
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Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Product.Overview................................................................................................................................................. 6
KeyFeatures.................................................................................................................................................. 6
Product.Tour......................................................................................................................................................... 8
ProductSetup................................................................................................................................................ 8
SystemConfiguration.............................................................................................................................. 8
SimpletogetStarted..................................................................................................................................... 9
SimpleSetupInterview................................................................................................................................... 9
HomePage........................................................................................................................................... 12
Product.Workflow............................................................................................................................................... 14
ManagingCustomers&TrackingMoneyComingIn..................................................................................... 14
CreatinganEstimate............................................................................................................................. 15
SendingInvoices................................................................................................................................... 16
Improved!MoreProfessionalandCustomizableForms................................................................... 18
GettingPaid.......................................................................................................................................... 20
New!SearchwithGoogle™Desktop............................................................................................................. 21
ManagingVendors&TrackingMoneyGoingOut.......................................................................................... 22
WritingChecks...................................................................................................................................... 23
RecordingExpenses.............................................................................................................................. 24
CreatingReports.......................................................................................................................................... 26
Profit&Loss.......................................................................................................................................... 26
InvoicesThatHaven’tBeenPaid........................................................................................................... 27
FindingCustomers....................................................................................................................................... 28
New!ListaBusinessonGoogleMaps™.................................................................................................. 28
New!AdvertiseonGoogleAdWords™.................................................................................................... 28
GettingOrganized........................................................................................................................................ 30
PreparingforTaxTime........................................................................................................................... 30
WorkingWithanAccountant................................................................................................................. 31
Summary............................................................................................................................................................ 32
Pricing................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Distribution......................................................................................................................................................... 32
Media.Contacts.................................................................................................................................................. 33
Thank.You........................................................................................................................................................... 33
Table of Contents
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Purpose of Reviewer’s Guide
Thisreviewer’sguidewillclearlyexplainthefinancialbarrierssmallbusinessesfaceandhowQuickBooks®:Simple
Start™Edition2007overcomesthesebarriers.Tohelpyouwithyourreview,theguidewillwalkyourthroughthe
keyproductfeaturesandworkflows.
There are 26 million small businesses in the United States today with over 10 million starting every year. Until
the introductionofQuickBooks:SimpleStartEdition inSeptember2004, therehadbeenanentire segmentof
smallbusinesseswhosesimplebookkeepingneedshadnotbeenaddressedbytraditionalfinancialsoftware.This
segmentconsistsoftwotypesofbusinesses:
1. Newbusinesses–lessthantwoyearsold–whoseownersareworking
hardtomakemoneyandstayaheadoftheirexpenses.
2. Establishedbusinesses–morethantwoyearsold–whoseownersare
stillgettingbywithfilefolders,ledgersandspreadsheetstomanage
relativelysimplebusinessfinances.
Intuit Learns From Small Business Owners
Intuit’s “Follow Me Home” program sends employees to visit these types of
businessownerstounderstandtheirbookkeepingneeds.AmongthemisLizz
Sisson.Hercompany,AtomicMama,specializesinoffbeatkids’clothingand
accessories.
Likeother“mom-preneurs,”Lizzturnedherhobbyintoabusiness.Shewanted
theflexibilitytostayathomewithherkidswhiledoingsomethingcreativeand
bringing in an income.Thebusinessgrewquickly,mainly onword-of-mouth
recommendations. Like many very small business owners, Lizz struggled to
keepherpaperworkinorder.
Theownersofmostsmallbusinessesknowthatit’simportanttotrackbusinesssalesandexpenses.Buttheymay
beintimidatedbyallthefeaturesorpriceofotherfinancialsoftwaresuchasQuickBooksProorPremier.Whilethese
QuickBooksproductsaretherighttoolsformanybusinesses,theysimplyhavetoomanyfeaturesforthisspecific
marketsegment,whichhasrelativelysimplefinancialmanagementneeds.
Need Practical, Right-sized Solution
Thesesmallbusinessowners, likeLizz,needasimple,practical, right-sizedsolution that requirespracticallyno
timeorefforttogetstarted.Tomeetthisneed, IntuitdevelopedQuickBooksSimpleStart.Nowin itsthirdyear,
Introduction
“My old record keeping was literally a three-ring binder. I was too busy to learn Excel, and slightly afraid of it.”
Lizz Sisson Atomic Mama,
Berwyn, Ill.
A company that specializes in offbeat kids’ clothing and accessories.
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QuickBooks Simple Start has over 200,000 customers and is outselling all
competingfinancialandbusinessproductivitysoftwareinretailstores(according
toNPDsalesdatafrom2006).
For the last couple of years, Intuit has worked to understand why so many
businessescontinuetodefergoodfinancialmanagementpractices,optingto
managetheirfinanceswithfilefoldersfullofreceipts,orspreadsheetsandWord
documents.
Manysmallbusinessesowners,suchasLizzofAtomicMama,usethis“chewing
gumandbalingwire”approachtocreateestimates,invoices,andtrackofexpenses.Whilemanybusinessowners
maybelievethatit’sa“goodenough”solution,theyaresecretlyworriedthattheyarenotgettingtheorganization,
accuracyandinsighttheyneedwhenitcomestotheirfinances.
ButasLizzdiscovered,it’shardtorunaneffectiveandefficientbusinessoutofafilefolder!Shedidn’treallyknow
howmuchmoneyshewasmaking,orhowmuchintaxessheoweduntilheraccountanttoldher.Atbest,thisfile
foldermethodwaslittlemorethanamakeshiftattempttokeeporganized–andledtostressattaxtime.
Andthereinliesthediscovery:Thesesupersimplebusinesseshaveveryimportant,yetverypracticalandsimple
needs.Theyneed:
g. Drop-dead.simplicity.Ifit’snotassimpleastossingareceiptinafolder,
theywon’tuseit.g. Essential.features.only:Trackmoneycominginandmoneygoingout.g. Organization.Stayorganized,especiallyfortaxtime.
That’sit.Anythingmorethanthat,theydon’tneedorwant.
Introduction
Before using Simple Start, Lizz used to price an order on scratch paper, add up the totals on a calculator, and then create a document in Photoshop. She printed two copies, one to mail her customer and one to file for her records. This process usually took 30-45 minutes.
“Before I started using Simple Start, my finances were in a state of chaos. Money was all over the place and I kept track of it using receipt books and paper – just like in the 1960’s! When I started using Simple Start it spelled everything out and I easily pulled myself out of this mess.”
Joy Richard, Engineered Solutions,
Attleboro, Mass.
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Key Features
The Simplest Way to Track Sales and Expensesg Invoice.clients,.pay.bills,.record.expenses–from.one.screen.Theintuitivehomepageissetuptheway
businessownersthinkabouttheirbusinesses–“moneycomingin”and“moneygoingout.”Itletsthemsee
andaccessthebasicactivitiesassociatedwithmanagingcashflowfromonesimplescreen.g Simply.manage.basic.tasks..Keyfunctionslikeprintingchecks,trackingcustomerpaymentsandcreating
professional-lookingestimates,salesreceiptsandinvoicesarefastandsimple,withfamiliarformsthatguide
usersthroughdataentry.g More.accurate.and.efficient.than.paper.and.pencil,.spreadsheets,.and.word-processing.programs.
Informationisautomaticallyfiled,simplybycompletingeverydaytasks,suchaswritingchecksorpayingbills.
Unpaidinvoicesandout-of-pocketexpensesneverslipthroughthecracks.QuickBooksdoesthemath,so
calculationsarealwaysaccurateandup-to-date.g Improved!.Create.professional-looking.forms.Businessownerscanprojectapolished,professional
imagebycustomizingimportantbusinessformssuchasinvoices,salesreceipts,andestimates.It’seasyto
changetheoveralllayoutincludingthelocationofthecustomer’sname,companyinformationandlogo,as
wellasadjustthefontsizeandcolorscheme.AnewPrintPreviewpanemakesiteasiertodesignformsby
immediatelyshowingthechangesastheyaremade.g New!.Search.with.Google.DesktopBusinessownerscanquicklyfindcustomer,vendororfinancial
informationinQuickBooksorontheircomputer.Oncetheytypeinawordorphrase,GoogleDesktopwill
quicklygetacompletelistoffilesthatmatchtheirsearch,includingcustomerorinvoiceinformation.
With one Click, see Where the Business Standsg One-click.reports.Injustoneclick,SimpleStartcreatessummaryreportsonprofitandloss,sales,expenses,
unpaidinvoicesandmore.Asaresult,smallbusinessownerscanseetheirtruebottomlineandstayontop
ofwhoowesthemmoney.g Critical.information.all.in.one.place.Businessownerscaninstantlylocatevitalbusinessorcustomer
informationwithoutsearchingthroughpapersorspreadsheets.g Organized.information.for.tax.time.Keepscompleteandaccuraterecordsfortaxpurposes,eliminatingthe
needtospendhoursordayscollectingandorganizingexpensereceiptsandrecordsattaxtime.
Simple to get Started and Useg Up.and.running.in.less.than.15.minutes.QuickBooks:SimpleStartEditioncanbeinstalledinthreesimple
steps,lettingusersbegincreatingprofessional-lookinginvoicesandtrackingtax-relatedexpenseswithin15
minutes.Thepackageincludestwo-minutetutorialsofessentialtasks.
Product Overview
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g Free.30.days.QuickBooks:.Simple.Start.Edition.Support.QuickBooksSimpleStartisdesignedtobesetup
easilyandwithoutassistance.Forthosewhoneedhelp,freeQuickBooksprofessionalsupportisincludedfor
thefirst30daysafterregistration.g Guaranteed.easy.—.or.your.money.back.SimpleStartcomeswitha60-dayfullmoney-backsatisfaction
guarantee.Itcanbereturnedforafullrefundwithadatedreceiptwithin60daysofpurchase.
Room to Growg Part.of.the.QuickBooks.family.Asabusinessgrows,QuickBooksmakesiteasytoupgradewithafulllineof
No.1-ratedsmallbusinessfinancialmanagementsoftware.AllQuickBooksproductsusethesameplatform,
sobusinessownerscaneasilymovetodifferentversionsofQuickBookswithoutthehassleofdatamigration,
changestobusinessworkflowsornewproducttraining.g Compatible.with.other.Intuit.products.and.services.CustomerscanuseQuickBooksSimpleStartwith
TurboTaxsoftware(desktopversionsonly)andQuickBooksCustomerManager,aswellastheQuickBooks
MerchantServiceandQuickBookschecks,formsandsupplies.
Finding Customersg New!List.a.business.on.Google.Maps.BusinessownerscannoweasilylisttheirbusinessonGoogleMaps
forfree.1toreachpotentiallocalcustomerseveniftheydon’thaveabusinesswebsite.g New!Advertise.a.business.with.Google.AdWords.UserscanadvertisetheirbusinesswithGoogle
AdWords®.Byselectingsearchtermsthatrelatetotheirbusinessandcreatinganadvertisingmessage,
businessownerscantargetprospectivecustomerswhoaresearchingonlinefortheirparticularservicesor
products.It’seasytogetstartedwith$50inGoogleAdWordscredits.2
Internet-based Version Available g Manage.a.business.from.anywhere..QuickBooks:SimpleStartOnlineEditionisWeb-basedandallowsusers
toworkanywhereatanytime,viatheInternet.Multipleuserscanaccessthesamedataremotelyusinga
login.Informationisstoredonaremoteserver,andbackedupautomaticallyonadailybasis,
sothatcustomersknowtheirinformationisalwayssafe.Ongoingsupportisincludedatnoadditionalcharge.g Select.Desktop.or.Online.Edition.at.startup.CustomerswhopurchasetheSimpleStartCDaregiventhe
choiceofDesktopEditionorafull-year’ssubscriptiontoOnlineEditionatstartup.TheOnlineEditionpriceis
$9.95permonthafterthefirstyear.
� Google Terms and Conditions apply, subject to change 2 Terms and conditions of the offer: Valid only for new Google AdWords customers with self-managed sign up. Advertisers will be charged an activation fee (currently $5). Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the promotional credit amount. Subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google AdWords Program standard terms and conditions. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered. Offer may be changed or revoked at any time for any reason by Google Inc. One promotional credit per customer. The advertising credit is only available for accounts created through the designated URL provided as part of this promotion, in accordance with the terms of this promotion. Advertised amount valid only for U.S. advertisers whose credit card (or other valid billing instrument) billing address is in the United States. Offer expires September 30, 2009.
Product Overview
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Product Setup
Recommended System Configuration g Atleast1GHzIntelPentiumIII(orequivalent)with256MBofRAM.
Minimum System Requirements g 500MHzIntelPentiumII(orequivalent)with128MBofRAM.g Windows2000/XPandVista(onceavailable).g 800MBofdiskspaceforQuickBooksinstallation.g InternetExplorer6.0required(6.0providedonCD.Requiresanadditional70MB).g Microsoft.NETFrameworkCLR1.1(ProvidedonCD.Requiresanadditional150MB).g Atleast256colorSVGAvideo.g Optimizedfor1024x768.Support800x600withsmallfonts.g Allonlinefeatures/servicesrequireInternetaccesswithatleasta56Kbpsmodem.g CompatiblewithQuickBooksCustomerManagerversion2.0andClientManagerversion2.0.
Upgrade Informationg SimpleStartEdition2007isforfirst-timeQuickBooksusersorupgradersfrompriorversionsofSimpleStart.
SimpleStartcannotimportdatafrompriorversionsofQuickBooks:Basic,ProorPremierEditions.
File Compatibilityg DatafromSimpleStartEdition2007canbetransferredtoQuickBooks:OnlineEditionandcanbeviewedand
editedinQuickBooks:ProEditionandallPremierEditions.
Product Tour
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Simple to get Started
Simple Setup Interview
SimpleStartiseasytostartusing.Itdoesn’thaveathickuser’smanual.Infact
allthatcomesintheboxisthis:aGettingStartedcard.
Toappreciatehowextraordinary this is, compare it to theearlier versionsof
QuickBooksPro,whichhadaninterviewwith125screensormore.Asaresult,
somebusinessownerswereoverwhelmedevenbeforetheystarted.Following
SimpleStart’slead,theQuickBooksproductlinenowoffersamuchsimplerand
quickerinterviewprocess.
Three Basic Steps
Forabusinessownertogetset-upandrunningtakesabout15minutes.There
arethreebasicsteps.
1. Providethecompanynameandinformation.
2. Selecthowthecompanyisorganized.
3. Choosehowtobillcustomers.
Product Tour
“I’ve tried other products that are supposed to be easy to get up and running. After struggling to learn them, I bought Simple Start. It’s exactly what I need. It took me only 15 minutes to get started, and tells me how much money I have, how much is coming in, and how much is going out. Everything is right there.”
Leslie Anderson, Blue Oval Ranch,
Salem, Ore.
A company that sells classic cars online.
“If I can’t install the software and instinctually know what needs to go where, then I don’t have the time to learn it and I won’t try. QuickBooks Simple Start walked me through ‘1,2,3’ and I was on my way.”
Lizz Sisson, Atomic Mama
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Complete the Simple Setup Interview
Afterinstallingthesoftware,launchSimpleStart.You’llimmediatelybeaskedtocompleteaquickstartupinterview.
Imaginethatyouownagraphicdesignfirm.
Step.1:. Enterthecompany’snameandaddress,orskipthispartcompletelyandjustenterthebusinessname.
The simple Setup Interview gets users up and running in 15 minutes – less time than it takes to order a pizza.
Select how the company is organized. If a business owner doesn’t know, there is help along the way.
Step.2: Indicatehowthebusinessisorganized.ChooseSole Proprietorship;thisdescribesmostbusinessesthat
useSimpleStart.ThiswillhelpSimpleStartsetuptherighttaxsupport.
Product Tour
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Choose from a variety of options on how to bill customers.
Step.3:Next,indicatehowyourcompanybillsitscustomers.ChooseBoth;mostcompaniesaresetuptoreceive
paymentatthetimeofasaleandtobilllater.
Step.4:ChooseYestocreateestimatesandNotochargesalestaxwhenyoumakeasale.
Step.5:ClickNextandletSimpleStartsaveyourcompanyinformation.
That’sit,you’redone.You’rereadytouseSimpleStart.
If it’s toohard togetstarted,businessownerswillstickwith theirfile foldersandspreadsheets.And that’swhy
SimpleStartisdesignedtomakeitverysimpletogetstarted,learnanduse.
Open Sample Company File
Forourpurposes,let’sopenasamplecompanyfilewhichalreadyhasdata.GotoFileandselectOpen Company
File.Choosesample_company_file.qbwwhichwillopensampledatafromMark’sAtomicGraphicDesigns.
Product Tour
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Home Page
OnceyouopenthedataforMark’sAtomicGraphicDesigns,you’llimmediatelyseethehomepage.Itisthestarting
point for all essential businessactivities – creatingestimates, invoices, andsales receipts, aswell as recording
customerpaymentsandwritingchecksforbusinessexpenses,andmore.
FollowthearrowstoseehoweachactivityisinterconnectedintheSimpleStartworkflow.
The Simple Start home page is the starting point for all business activities.
1. Home.Page.Thestartingpointforallessentialbusinessactivities–invoicing,creatingsalesreceipts,
recordingcustomerpayments,writingchecksforbusinessexpenses,andmore.Placeyourmousepointer
overaniconthenclicktheactivity.Followthearrowstomovefromoneactivitytothenext.
2.. Money.In.Basicactivitiesrelatedtomoneycomingintoabusiness.Theseactivitiesarethesameonesthat
youseeunderMoneyInonthehomepage.
3.. Your.Business.Enterorviewinformationaboutcustomers,vendors,andbankaccounts.ClickProfit&Loss
toseewhereabusinessstands.
4.. Money.Out.Basicactivitiesrelatedtomoneygoingoutofabusiness.Theseactivitiesarethesameonesthat
youseeunderMoneyOutonthehomepage.
Product Tour
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3
4
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6 7 8
910
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5.. Related.Activities.Thesetopicsarerelevanttoyourcurrentactivity.Whenyouchangetoadifferentactivity,
thetopicsherechangeaccordingly.
6.. Related.Help.Thesetopicsarerelevanttoyourcurrentactivity.Whenyouchangetoadifferentactivity,the
Helptopicschangeaccordingly.Ifyoudon’tseethetopicyouneed,typeaquestionintothesearchfieldand
clickAsk.YoucanalsousetheHelpIndex,locatedontheHelpmenu,orpressF1fromanywindow.
7.. Get.Started.Now.Clicktheselinkstogetguidance.TheinteractivetutorialsshowhowtouseSimpleStart.
8.. Growing.Your.Business.Clickontheselinksforadd-onservicesortoupgradetoadifferentQuickBooks
productwhenyourbusinessoutgrowsSimpleStart.Youcanalsofindtoolstohelpgrowandadvertiseyour
business.
9.. Menu.Bar.Ifyoudon’tseewhatyouwanttodoonthehomepageorintheactivitieslistedontheleftsideof
theSimpleStartwindow,youcanfinditononeofthesemenus.
10.. Toolbar.ClickBack and Forwardtomovebetweenforms.ClickHometoreturntothishomepageview.Click
Searchtolookforaspecificinvoice,salesreceipt,orcustomerpayment.
Product Tour
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Product Workflow
Managing Customers and Tracking Money Coming In
Let’sseehowbusinessownerscaneasilymanagetheircustomers.
Step.1:ClickontheCustomerssectionunderYour Businessonthehomepage.
From here you can either add a new customer or see a list of existing customers. Let’s pull up an existing
customer.
Step.2:ClickList.
Step.3:DoubleclickonAndres, Cristina.
YoucanseeallCristina’scontactandpaymentinformationaswellashercurrentbalanceof$0.00.
See all of Cristina’s contact and payment info including her current balance.
Step.4:ClickCancelandselect onthetoolbartoreturntothehomepage.
Product Workflow
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Creating an Estimate
SaythatCristinahasaskedyoutodesignagraphicforherweddinginvitation.Aftertalkingwithher,youestimate
thatitwilltaketwohourstocomplete.Yourrateis$45anhour.Let’screateanestimateforthisjob.
Step.1:ClickonEstimatesintheMoney InsectionofthehomepageandselectNew.
Step.2:ForCustomer,selectAndres, Cristina.
Step.3:UnderItem,selectGraphic Design.
Asyoucansee,SimpleStartautomaticallyfillsinyourhourlyrate.
Step.4:.ChangetheQtyto2sothattheTotalisnow$90.00.
That’sit.Youcannowprintorsendtheestimatebye-mail.
Step.5:.ClickSave & Close.
Product Workflow
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Sending Invoices
Creatinganinvoiceisassimpleasusingwordprocesssoftware.Butnow,thatinvoiceispartofasimpleandvery
reliablesystemthatenablesbusinessownerstomoreconfidentlymanagemoneycominginandmoneygoingout.
Let’ssaythatyou’vecreatedthegraphicforCristina’sweddinginvitationandarenowreadytosendheraninvoice.
Asyouestimated,ittookyoutwohourstocreatethedesign.
Step.1:.ClickonInvoicesonthehomepageandchooseNew.
Step.2:.SelectAndres, CristinaintheCustomerfield.
SimpleStartautomaticallycrossreferencestheestimatethatyoucreatedfor$90.00sothatyoucanuseittoeasily
createtheinvoice.
Step.3:.Choosetheestimatefor$90.00andclickOKontheAvailable Estimatesscreen.
.
Product Workflow
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.
.Creating an invoice is fast and simple. Simple Start automatically cross references any estimates that were already created.
Your.invoice.is.complete..
Step.4:Topreviewit,choosePrintintheupperleft-handcornerandchoosePreview.
..
Youcannowprintorsenditbye-mail.Butbecauseyouownadesigncompany,youwanttofurthercustomizethis
invoicesothatitlooksmorestylish.
Step.5:ClickClose.
Product Workflow
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Improved! More Professional and Customizable Forms
Basedoncustomerfeedback,thislatestversionofSimpleStartoffersenhancedoptionsforcustomization.Simple
Startmakesitpossibletocustomizeimportantbusinessformssuchasinvoices,creditmemos,salesreceipts,and
estimatessothatbusinessownerscanprojectapolished,professionalimagetotheirclients.It includesarange
of templates to choose from. For example, users can choose where to show the customer’s name, company
informationandlogo,aswellasadjustthefontsize,colorscheme,andlayout.Anewprintpreviewpaneletsusers
immediatelyseethechangestheymaketoaformwithoutneedingtotoggleinandoutofPrintPreview.
Let’saddsomedesignelementstotheaboveinvoiceforMark’sAtomicGraphic
Designs.
Step.1:.Gototheupperright-handcornerandchangethetemplatestyleto
Product Invoice RoundedorProduct Invoice Modern.
Step. 2:. See instantly what the template design looks like by choosing Print Preview right above the template
options.
Step.3:.SelectClosewhenyou’redonepreviewing.
Step.4:Tofurthercustomizetheform,clickontheCustomizebuttonintheupperleft-handcorner.
Step.5:ClickonUse LogoandselectthefileMAGDlogo.bmp..NextchangetheColor SchemetoMaroon.
Step.6:.YoucanthenchangetheCompany&TransactionInformationifyoulike.Noticethatasyoucustomizethe
form,youcaninstantlyseethechangesinthenewPrint Previewscreenontheright..
Product Workflow
“It’s important to me that every piece of paper that leaves my office looks really good. Simple Start lets me pick from different layouts and decide exactly what information the customer sees on the invoice. It’s still simple to use, but now much more professional looking.”
Kelly Herold. Buffalo County Historical Society,
Alma, Wis.
1�
Step.7:.ClickOK onceyoulikethedesignoftheinvoice.Youcanthenchoosetoprintorsenditbye-mail.
Step.8:ClickClose & Saveandgobacktothehome page.Onceyou’vecreatedaninvoice,SimpleStartautomatically
updatesCristina’sbalanceinformationintheCustomer List.
Step.9:GotoCustomersonthehomepageandclickCustomer List.SeethatthebalanceforAndres, Cristinais
nowupdatedwiththeadditional$90.00.
Simple Start automatically updates a customer’s Balance Total once an invoice is created and/or a payment is received.
Product Workflow
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Getting Paid
Let’ssayCristinapaysyouthenextmonth.Let’senterthispaymentintoSimpleStart.
Step.1:ClickReceive PaymentsonthehomepageandclickNew.
Step.2:PullupAndres, Cristina.Again,you’llsee that theCustomer Payment ispartiallycompletedbecause it
automaticallypicksupinformationfromtheinvoiceyousentCristinaearlierinthemonth.
Step.3:.Confirmtheamountthatyoureceivedbyputtingachecknexttotheinvoiceinformation.TheAmountfield
isautomaticallyupdated.
Step.4:Cristinapaidyoubycheck,soenterChecknexttoPmt Method.Youcanalsoenterthechecknumberand
amemoifyoulike.
Receiving a payment is quick and easy. The Customer Payment form automatically pulls information from the invoice.
Step.5:ThenclickSave & Close.
Product Workflow
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Step.6:NowgotoCustomeronthehomepageandselectList.YouwillseethatCristina‘sbalancehasnowbeen
updated.EverythingisautomaticallylinkedthroughoutSimpleStart.
The Customer List automatically updates the current Balance Total.
Step.7:Gobacktothehomepage.
New! Search with Google Desktop™
WithGoogleDesktop,userscanquicklyfindcustomer,vendororfinancial informationinQuickBooksorontheir
computer.Oncetheytypeinawordorphrase,GoogleDesktopwillquicklygetacompletelistoffilesthatmatch
theirsearch,includingcustomerorinvoiceinformation.It’seasy,quick,andflexiblesothattheyhavefullcontrolover
theirsearch.TheGoogleDesktoptoolcansearchQuickBooksdataonlywhenitisaccessedwithinQuickBooks
andbusinessownerscandecidewhethertheywanttoinstallthetoolornot.QuickBooksinformationisneversent
tootherparties–ever.
Step.1:ClickonthetheSearchiconintheMenu.
Step.2:.TypeinAndres,CristinaandselectSearch QuickBooksandDesktop.You’llnowseeallfilesassociatedwith
Andres,Cristina.
Product Workflow
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Step.3:Gobacktothehomepage.
Managing Vendors and Tracking Money Going Out
Nowit’stimetomanageyourvendorsandpaybills.
Step.1:ClickontheVendorssectionofthehomepage.You’llseethatit’sjustliketheCustomersectionandlets
youaddnewvendorsorviewalistofexistingvendors.
Step.2:ChooseListanddoubleclickonCal Gas & Electric.HereyoucanseeallcontactinformationforCal Gas &
Electric.Youcanalsoaddnotesforthevendor.
Step.3:Gobacktothehomepage.
Product Workflow
2�
Writing Checks
Let’ssaythatyoureceiveabillfromCal Gas & Electricfor$50.Let’spaythisbillbycheck.
Step.1:.GotoWrite ChecksintheMoney OutsectionofthehomepageandclickonNew.
Step.2:FindCal Gas & Electricusingthepull-downarrow.
Tosavetime,SimpleStartautomaticallydisplaysthelastcheckthatwaswrittentoCal Gas & Electric.
Step.3:.AssigntheExpense CategorytoUtilities.
Step.4:MakesurethattheAmountis$50.00.
Step.5:AddGas&ElectricChargesfortheMemoifit’snotalreadythere.
Step.6:PutachecknexttoPrint Later.Onceyou’rereadytoprintchecks,gotoFile/Print Forms/Checkstoprint
thischeck.
Product Workflow
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Step.7:ClickSave & Close
Thisbillwasalsoautomaticallytrackedinthecompany’sBank Account Register.
Step.8:Toseethis,gotoBank AccountsintheYour Businesspartofthehomepage.
Step.9:ChooseRegisterandthenChecking.Atthebottomofthelistyou’llseethatthechecktoCalGas&Electric
for$50.00hasbeendeductedfromthecompany’scheckingaccount.
Step.10:Gobacktothehomepage
Recording Expenses
Everybusinessneedstokeeptrackofitsexpenses–whetherit’smoneycominginormoneygoingoutintheform
ofcash,creditcardsorchecks.
You’vealreadyseenhowQuickBooksSimpleStartautomaticallyrecordsexpenseswhenyouwriteachecktoa
vendor.Let’snowseehowtorecordanexpensewhenabusinessownerusesacreditcard.
Step.1:SelectRecord ExpensesintheMoney OutsectiononthehomepageandchooseCredit.
You’llseetheCreditCardRegister.YoucanenteranexpensestartingatthebottomoftheRegister.
Step.2:ForthePayee,selectWhiteNursery.
Step.3:NextclickonSuppliesinExpense Category.
Product Workflow
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Step.4:Enter$100.00fortheCharge.
Step.5:ClickonRecordandthebalanceforthecreditcardisautomaticallyupdated.
IfonetransactionfallsundermorethanoneExpense Category,usetheSplit Transactionbuttonatthebottomof
theregister.
Recordingacashexpenseisexactlythesameasrecordingacreditcardexpense.
Step.6:Clickonthehomepageiconinthetoolbar.
Product Workflow
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Creating Reports
Reportsareanimportantwayforbusinessownerstomonitortheoverallhealthoftheircompanyandamajorbenefit
ofusingsoftware.Whilemostbusinessownersknowtheirbankbalance,manydon’thaveanup-to-the-minute,
clearpictureoftheirtruebottomline.
Profit & Loss
Let’sseethismonth’sincomeandexpensesforMark’sAtomicGraphicDesignstolearnwhetherthecompanyis
operatingataprofitoraloss.
Step.1:SimplyclickonProfit & LossintheYour Businesssectionofthehomepage.Youcanimmediatelyseethat
AtomicGraphicDesignisearningaprofitforthefirsthalfofDecember.
Product Workflow
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Invoices That Haven’t Been Paid
Thereportprovidesalistofunpaidinvoices,groupedbyduedate,soyoucanseeexactlywhoowesyoumoney,
forwhat,andwhenitisdue.Ifaninvoiceisoverdue,theAgingcolumnshowsthenumberofdaysthepaymentis
pastdue.
Noticethatthisreportusesthe“plain-English”title“InvoicesThatHaven’tBeenPaid”ratherthantheaccounting
term“accountsreceivableaging”– justoneexampleofhowSimpleStart isapractical,user-friendlyapplication
designedfromthesmallbusinessowner’spointofview.
Step.1:Tocreatethisreport,gototheReportsinthemenubar,andchooseInvoices That Haven’t Been Paid.
.
Step.2:LookatthefirstinvoiceforTringey, Erika.Asyoucansee,it’sdueon12/16/2007.
Step.3:Byscrollingdownthescreen,youcanseethatJasmineParkisnowoverdueby15days.
Step.4:ClickonJasmine Parktogetadetailedviewoftheinvoice.
Step.5:Onceyou’redone,clickSave & Close.
Product Workflow
2�
Finding Customers
New! List a business on Google Maps
BusinessownerscannoweasilylisttheirbusinessonGoogleMapsforfree1toreachpotentiallocalcustomerseven
iftheydon’thaveabusinesswebsite.Theycanincludeinformationsuchasbusinessphonenumbersandhoursof
operationandeditthisinformationatanytime.It’salsopossibletoreachpotentialcustomersorretainloyalones
throughprintablecouponsdisplayedalongsidethebusinesslisting.
New! Advertise a business with Google AdWords
It’salsopossibleforQuickBooksSimpleStartuserstofindcustomersbyadvertisingtheirbusinesswithGoogle
AdWords®.Byselectingsearchtermsthatrelatetotheirbusinessandcreatinganadvertisingmessage,business
ownerscantargetprospectivecustomerswhoaresearchingonlinefortheirparticularservicesorproducts.
Businessownerscantargetlocalcustomersbyselectingaspecificcity,stateorneighborhood.Oncetheiradisset
up,usersonlypaywheninterestedprospectsclickthroughtotheirsite.Theycanchangetheiradvertisingmessage
asoftenasneeded,choosetostoporpausetheircampaignatanytime,andultimatelydecidehowmuchmoney
theywanttospend.Togetstarted,theyget$50inGoogleAdWordscredits.2
Step.1:SelectAttract new customersusingGoogle Marketing ToolsunderGrowing Your Businessatthebottom
ofthehome page.
Step. 2: Follow the steps to add your business to Google Maps or to place an advertisement with Google
AdWords.
� Google Terms and Conditions apply, subject to change.2 Terms and conditions of the offer: Valid only for new Google AdWords customers with self-managed sign up. Advertisers will be charged an activation fee (currently $5). Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the promotional credit amount. Subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google AdWords Program standard terms and conditions. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered. Offer may be changed or revoked at any time for any reason by Google Inc. One promotional credit per customer. The advertising credit is only available for accounts created through the designated URL provided as part of this promotion, in accordance with the terms of this promotion. Advertised amount valid only for U.S. advertisers whose credit card (or other valid billing instrument) billing address is in the United States. Offer expires September 30, 2009.
Product Workflow
2�
Step.3:Onceyou’redoneexploringGoogleMarketingTools,gobacktothehome page.
Product Workflow
�0
Getting Organized
Preparing for Tax Time
Mostbusinessownersthinkaboutbuyingfinancialmanagementsoftwarewhentaxtimerollsaround.They’refaced
withafilefolderfullofreceiptsandnoideawhattheyowetheInternalRevenueService.
Forsmallbusinesses,taxesaresomethingtheytendtoputoffallyearlong.Again,they’remostconcernedabout
moneycominginandmoneygoingout.Butthevalueofkeepingorganizedbecomespainfullyclearattaxtime.With
SimpleStart,smallbusinessownersneverhavetoworrythattheirbooksarenotinorder.
Tax Summary Report
TheTaxSummaryreporthelpssmallbusinessownersgatherdatafortheirfederal incometaxforms.Thereport
shows the amount Simple Start tracked for each line on the tax forms that the company files with the federal
government.Thetaxlinesareassignedtoindividualaccountsinthechartofaccounts.It’spossibletochangethese
assignmentsifneeded.
Withthisreport,businessownershaveinformationfortaxesattheirfingertips,ratherthanashoeboxofreceiptsor
informationspreadacrossmultiplespreadsheetsorfiles.
Step.1:Tocreatethisreport,fromtheReportsmenu,chooseTax Reports,andthenIncome Tax Summary.
Asyoucansee, the report covers–Dec.31,2005 toDec.31,2006.Youcanchange theperiodcoveredby
choosingadifferentdaterangefromtheDateslist.
Product Workflow
�1
Working With An Accountant
Aftertaxseason,businessownersnextthinkaboutusingfinancialmanagementsoftwareiswhentheygetabillfrom
theiraccountant.Thebilloftenreflectsthemanyhourstheaccountantspentdiggingthroughalltheirreceipts.One
ofthebiggestproblemsfacingaccountantsisreceivingincompleteandinaccuratedatafromtheirclients.It’sthe
mostcommonandtime-consumingissuethattheydealwith,andsomethingthey’dliketosavetimeon,too.
It’snotonlyexpensivetopayanaccountanttocombthroughreceipts,but9timesoutof10,thesmallbusiness
ownerhasoverlookedtaxdeductionsbyfailingtogetorganized.
WithSimpleStart,users feelmuchmoreconfident thateverything isundercontrolandwill not fall through the
cracks.Theygainthisconfidencewithouthavingtospendtimelearningtodothingsdifferently.Thefactthatsmall
andsimplebusinessescanfeelconfidentabouttheirbusinesseswithoutexpendinganymoreeffortisoneofthe
remarkablethingsaboutSimpleStart.
Product Workflow
�2
ThisproducttourillustrateshoweasyitisforsmallandverysmallbusinessownerstolearnanduseQuickBooks
SimpleStart. Itkeepsfinancialmanagementeasyby focusingonlyontheessentialaccounting tasks– tracking
moneycominginandmoneygoingout–andmaintainingcrucialrecordssuchastaxreceipts,customerdataand
vendorinformation.Therearenomanualstoreadandsmallbusinessesownersdon’thavetoknowbookkeepingor
accountingjargonbecausethesoftwareusescommon,familiarterms,suchas“moneyin”insteadof“receivables”
and “invoices that haven’t beenpaid” insteadof “aging report.”WithQuickBooksSimpleStart, small business
ownerscangetupandrunninginlessthan15minutesandimmediatelygaintheconfidencetobeginmanaging
theirfinances.
Pricing
QuickBooksSimpleStartEdition:$99.95.
Distribution
QuickBooksSimpleStartEdition2007isavailableatwww.quickbooks.comorbycalling1-888-2-INTUIT.InOctober
2006,SimpleStartandcanbepurchasedatmajorretailerseverywhereincluding:Amazon.com,BestBuy,CDW,
CircuitCity,CompUSA,Costco.com,Fry’sElectronics,OfficeDepot,OfficeMax,Sam’sClubandStaples.
Summary
��
Summary
Media Contacts
Pleasecontactuswithanyquestionsoradditionalproductreviewrequests.
RachelEuretig JaredLeavitt
IntuitInc. AccessCommunicationsforIntuit
650-944-5407 415-844-6253
[email protected] [email protected]
Thank You
ThankyoufortakingthetimetoreviewIntuit’slatestversionofQuickBooksSimpleStartEdition.Weappreciateyour
suggestionsandcomments.Feelfreetosendyourcommentstothemediacontactslistedabove.