Bookkeeping

What do CPAs bring to the table? Can I just try and do them on my own or will I miss vital deducations?

My wife and I have setup a new pet care business and are having a hard time keeping track of everything! Our customers pay in advance for services to be rendered in the future. As we provide them services, we need to deduct these services from their account. I’ve got gnucash (double entry accounting software) setup but I can’t wrap my head around how I can make a sale of $200 for one client and then record services against his account later. I’m thinking we need professional help to setup the system but we just don’t have the budget. I want to avoid something that will not work going forward and have a big mess later. Any advice on what I should setup? Thanks!

My records are a mess and I’m embarrassed for anyone to see the paper mounds let alone organize them. Where should I start?? I’m desperate!

I recently started my own sole proprietorship audio production company and am trying to set everything up in Quickbooks. Although I know I will be seeking advice from an accountant within the next couple of months, in the meantime, I haven’t been able to find the answer to my question. Besides the personal funds I invested in the company, I’ve also used personal audio equipment including a computer, microphones, and thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment (before starting this officially as a business). Can I add any of these items as inital ‘investment’ or startup expense? And can I expense or depreciate this equipment? Do I put these in my assets? Thank you!

I’m a contractor who travels frequently for work. I normally take the standard mileage deduction. I know that you cannot mix/match between the standard deduction and using actual costs. Due to some problems with my vehicle, I had to rent a car for a month-long work trip. How do I determine the expenses for this trip? Do I just deduct mileage like I normally do? Can I deduct the cost of the rental? (It’s about $1000). Thanks for you help!

If I do need to keep them, why do I need to do this and for how long?

I started a new business and recently bought some accounting software. I’m not sure where to enter in this expense. Help!