QuickBooks 2012 For Dummies

I am great with Quicken, but hadn't ever used QuickBooks. I am also not on the list of the first 50 people you'd ever ask for bookkeeping help. Recently I had occasion to help a family member figure out what she'd done to mess up her recently acquired QuickBooks program. My first step was to order this book.Like all "Dummies" books, this one follows a simple and standardized approach to teaching. It's easy to read, and makes few presumptions of knowledge. That's a good thing, since I didn't know anything. It was easy to follow the directions, easy to look up most of what I needed and pretty easy to fix the entry errors the program owner had made. For those not familiar with the Dummies series, it offers stuff you absolutely need to know, stuff that's good to know, and stuff that's sort of "extra". Bits of information are in sound-bite sizes so it's easy to follow the directions. The material is presented with the assumption -- with this book particularly -- that the user hasn't yet started to use the program, so it literally starts with how to start the program. The index is very detailed and I found it has 95% of the entries I needed (remember, I was deeply in to the "undo" phase). In the end I was able to repair the messy program, and clearly wouldn't have done it without the book.I did find one or two challenges. Mostly, they were challenges of trying to fix a program already set up, not challenges of the book -- it simply doesn't address how to "undo" some things. Having said that, though, if one spends a bit of time rereading carefully the section that's messed up, one can almost always figure out the "undo" anyhow.The book is softbound, easy to read print and with many illustrations. All in all, a great addition to those using QuickBooks for the first time. Definitely buy the book BEFORE installing the program and you'll avoid the problems I needed to solve.

If you are a Quicken user - or use some other form of banking/finance software and you want to switch to Quickbooks - that might be a good idea - you'll find out.If you are accustomed to and enjoy the challenge of working with new software - then get ready for a challenge. This is obviously a very powerful program and I would venture to say that most users will actually use a small percentage of the capabilities of this program (much like we under-use our own mind).What I'm taking so long to get to is this: If you've conquered a lot of software in your day - you might want to hold off on buying this particular Dummies book. Not that it is a bad book - but I find that I learn more by jumping into the actual program...much of it will seen obvious to the intermediate/seasoned user of banking/financial software. (no - I'm not even close to being an accountant). I have found (thus far) the book to be of limited use and a bit too 'cutesy' for my tastes. The more I read, the more I realize I don't need to read.I have used and enjoyed other Dummies books - I'm not anti-Dummies; perhaps I've grown up a bit and can now go out on my own with a challenging program...with no Dummies to turn to. This is not to say I won't find some gems in it at a later time - I just haven't found them yet.Now, on the other hand - if you haven't worked with any financial/banking software and you're not comfortable learning on your own...DO NOT start with Quickbooks.(I think of the Quickbooks program as the treadmill that people buy and set up with all good intentions...only to, eventually, stand there in silence to collect clothing and damp towels) I would suggest starting with Quicken - or - if you can afford to - hire a bookkeeper and enjoy your life!Good luck with your business.Pjp

In the past I had used some earlier versions of QuickBooks and became very familiar with them. When QuickBooks 2012 came out I had to make the switch to keep up with the ever changing technology. I wanted a straight forward and well versed guide to give me a better understanding of all it's improved features. Working for a accounting firm in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, I am constantly looking to be informed as well as possible in any new product to improve our customers financial solutions. QuickBooks 2012 for Dummies is a great read for those who have had experience with older versions of QuickBooks. If you are new to QuickBooks, this book may take a little longer to read. Some of the vocabulary may be unfamiliar to the first time user, but if you have the time to really learn and understand QuickBooks, I would strongly suggest giving this book a try. If anyone would like more information or help on getting a better understanding of QuickBooks, feel free to email me. All information is located in my profile.

I new to QuickBooks 2012 I have been working with this program for only about 5 months for a very small business whom doesn't require much. I have been able to wing it but had finally run into a problem and know one to answer my questions so I decided just to order the book that way it is always at my desk for references. So far it has been very easy to work with and reading this book has helped me get answers to things I had questions about without bothering anyone else in the office. I do recommend having a copy for an easy way of looking up something for those of us whom still like having a hard copy to look at.

I ordered "Quickbooks 2014 For Dummies" and received the 2012 version the next day from the Las Vegas fullfillment center. That is great but not what I ordered for my new bookkeeping client. Not a lot of changes from one to the other so I need to get her started using it. Great delivery, bad order filling,

QuickBooks is not a program most CPAs like to use, as it goes against the grain of normal accounting practices. So, I was hesitant to take on a client using this program. But, this book really helped me understand how the program works, how it should be set up, and how I can adjust and correct client errors. It's an easy read, direct, and well organized. I'll keep it as a reference and probably refer to it often as I learn the ins and outs of this program.

This book is US based and whilst the concepts are correct all of the references are set against the US. In particular VAT is not well covered as it refers to the IRS and sales tax. I wanted to find out more information on flat rate VAT for which there was none. This book is not suited to the UK. Having spent a little time trying to find some use for the book I have failed and will be returning it.

The reason for my ordering this book was I needed to know how to change my VAT from accural to cash but there is nothing in there at all to do with VAT and that's because it's designed for the US. Instead I signed up for support at Quickbooks at £10.00 per month Tax deductable and they don't keep you waiting. I don't want a book that goes on about the IRS. This book should state it's for America. Never the less i returned in the same hour i received it

Bought it to familiarize myself with the program. Wrong book - bought the Quicken 2017 delux program. My fault.

Love this. Arrived on time. NO excessive packaging. Thank You!

I did like the book however, on this website, Amazon did not state in its description of the book, that this product is for American audiences. Payroll, taxes etc is all geared to an American audience. There are no chapters on GST, HST, labour codes, etc for Canada in this book. I thought that because I was on Amazon.CA that they had a shipment of Quickbooks for Dummies, it was the Canadian version. If I had known, that the crucial chapters I needed were American, I would have spent the extra money at Chapters and purchased the Canadian version. Amazon.CA needs to be clear on in their description of items on a supposedly Canadian site, that there is no Canadian content.