Business Records

[Randy Cornelius]

I use a program called FF Inventory Pro. My web designer turned me onto it. It like accounting software for dummies. Real user friendly does inventory and invoices etc and a whole lot more. And it did not cost much, under 200.00 and you can put it on as many computers as you want. If anyone wants more info I will get it tomarrow but the snow is about a foot deep getting to the shop right now so it will have to wait until the morning.

Randy

[Zandolf]

I would definitely be interested in more info about FF Inventory Pro. Nothing I have used handles inventory to my satisfaction yet. Just under 40 degrees celcius here lately so I would happily trade you some heat for some snow.

[JLSleather]

I'd certainly be willing to hear ANYthing about making inventory easy. I HATE inventory. I haven't used quickbooks since we had employees (that was the only advantage I saw there) and that was quite a while back.

Just for example ... a few belt inventory "issues" for thought:

One guy wants ONE belt, with line 16 snaps in brass, leather keeper loops, antique finish brass heel bar buckle, no tip. You'll need:

• THAT buckle
  
• brass line 16 snaps
  
• carving leather in at least one weight (I would use two weights);
  
• leather dye / oil / finish
  
• carving tools (if tooled)
  

The other guy wants TWO belts, same carving design on both, different sizes. Lined and stitched. Western buckle 3-piece sets (matching) attached with screws. Now you need:

• two of the new buckle sets
  
• 'chicago' screws
  
• carving leather (likely two weights);
  
• leather dye / oil / finish
  
• carving tools;
  
• some sort of adhesive, even if only temporary;
  
• needles and thread (with or without a machine);
  

Both of these orders assume that you have something to cut a straight strip with, some means of transferring the design (which I would do, since the two are expected to match); some method of applying dyes/finishes, tools to set the snaps and screws -- just to get started on these.

Now, these orders happened this morning. Not a problem, it'll get there. Here's the issue ...

The tax guy wants to know - at years end if not quarterly - the beginning and ending inventory. Obviously, you can't "plus" er 'minus" the same amount for these orders, as the materials are not going to be the same. The amounts won't be the same. Unless you stock the buckles requested, then you'll order them. The purchase price is "cost of goods sold", which "theoretically" would include any shipping you paid on them. BUT, how to track THAT purchase without doing every little detail on individual orders. Here's one example ... You order the buckles. While you're waiting for the buckles, the person who wanted the belts has an emergency, and it's in their interest to cancel the order. Options?

• Refuse to cancel. They asked, they paid, and they're "stuck". If this is you, I meant this post for someone else.
  
• Cancel the belts. Also cancel the buckles. You can return them, but you're likely out the shipping charges.
  
• Cancel the belts. Add the buckles to inventory, you kin use em later. Course, now you gotta 'count' em.
  

Now, what program can I use, that will [relatively painlessly] let me look at the page and know that I have 40' of tooling leather, 97 brass line 16 snaps, 100 nickel chicago screws (which I didn't use), 87% full bottles of leather dye and finish, two western buckle sets, carving tools, a strip cutter, a straigt edge and knife, 95% of a spool of thread, and 10 needles (though you need to dispose of 2 of em). AND that pesky partridge ina tree you hear about.

In the end, with inventory, you either

• track it as you go (meaning you input what you actually used)
  
• count it at year end; or
  
• lie (make up something)
  

IF you're that last guy, you might consider fair market value before you sign your name for the IRS. Those buckles that guy wants, plated stuff - $25. Shipping on them, $6. Not a big deal? Do that 100 times this year, and your inventory is $600 different from what you actually have. If in your mind you just said "that $6 should have gone in as shipping charges", then you are beginning to get my point ...

[SLudlow]

It's a bear, I'll agree full well with that! Spend half my time bookkeeping and going through receipts...

[radar67]

Quickbooks Priemer will allow you to build items in inventory to cover what you need. You need to set up as a manufacturing business to get this part of inventory to work.

[leatherjo]

This site should provide you with some useful information: http://accounting-so...small-business/

If you click on one of the ratings buttons, you will get ratings and information on that particular topic. Note that there is a button for inventory and services. And the information should be current since this is a 2014 article.

Also if you click on the menu icon on the left side of the black bar, and then click on "business" in the menu, you'll get information about other software for small businesses--for example, a review of credit card processing software.

There is a LOT of information here. Happy reading!

[shooter55]

QuickBooks here. Like the reporting system. Never a problem.