Did you know QuickBooks allows you to keep detailed notes about your customers and vendors?

The "notes" feature in QuickBooks is a great tool to help simplify your work AND reduce the number of sticky notes you have attached to your computer monitor! In addition, you will find it very easy to use.

Choose any customer in your customer list, and then look for the "edit notes" button on the right hand side of the screen (or find the notes button once you double-click the customer name in versions 2005 or older). Once there, you will literally see a "digital sticky note" for you to track important information about the customer.

Click the "Date Stamp" box and QuickBooks automatically types in the current date, and then you type your notes. If your note requires follow-up action in the future, click on the "New To Do" box while in the notepad. Type in the action that is required, then make sure to put the appropriate date in the "remind me on" box. Click OK to both the to do box and the notepad, and you are done! You will then be reminded on the appropriate date to take the action you just noted.

Here is an example that will help tie this together - You called Jim at the ABC Company today to check the status of their payment. So you create a note on their account that you spoke to Jim today. He asks that you call back in two weeks for an update (bet you've never heard that before!). So you then click the "new to do" box while in the notepad, type in "Call Jim at ABC" and enter a date in the remind me box two weeks from today!

I've been called crazy in the past and I'm ready to be called it again this year!

Why? I'm riding my bicycle 150 miles to support efforts to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Can I ask for your support in my journey?

In 2006, nearly 2000 riders took part in this event, which we call "Pedal to the Point". We raised over $1 million for the benefit of the MS Society to help them find a cure for this devastating disease.

Your financial support in any amount is warmly welcomed. For those that donate $50 or more, I will send you a free copy of my upcoming QuickBooks guide titled "Undeposited Funds: What the Heck is That (and Why it is Critical to Your Success in QuickBooks)" after it publishes this summer.

Please send your check payable to the National MS Society to:

Scott Gregory, c/o Bond Technology, 2786 SOM Center Rd. #200, Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094

On behalf of all those who are riding AND those who have MS or have loved ones with MS, I send my thanks and appreciation to you for sponsoring me.

I'll bet you've tried to find a way to get a QuickBooks Profit and Loss report to show you the results on a monthly basis for each month of a year. In your quest to find a solution for this reporting need, you may have gotten frustrated and abandoned the search.

Here is your solution - head over to your Report Center, click Company and Financial, then Profit and Loss Standard. Once the report displays, change the date range to read "This Fiscal Year". Then, navigate to the "Columns" drop down list and choose "Month". QuickBooks will instantly display your profit and loss report on a monthly basis for each month of the year.

Take it a step further - click the Modify Report button and check "Previous Year" and then OK. You will now see a comparison of the current month to the same month a year ago for each month of your fiscal year!

To help get better search results when using Google (or your favorite search engine), consider the use of the + qualifier.

For example, if you type in quickbooks consultant in Google, you will get a list of consultants from all over the country. However, if you type in quickbooks consultant +Cleveland, the search results will display those in the Cleveland, Ohio area first.

The use of the + sign can be a great way to help you zero in on the information you are hunting for even faster!

If you have been searching for software that will help you run the "front office" of your service business, yet desire to use QuickBooks for the "back office" of the business, there are a number of packages that can do just that.

For help streamlining your scheduling, quoting, and job management, consider packages such as:

• ServiceCEO
• QXpress
• ESC

The beauty of each of these software programs is that they integrate with QuickBooks, creating a true "win- win" solution for your business.

If you think something like this is a great idea, but are intimidated by the "geek speak" that goes with the search process, rest easy. I offer consultation services in which I can help you find the right service software solution for your business with minimal headache and without busting the budget.

To learn more about these services, please call me at (440) 527-5696 or contact me.

Of course, the answer is no.

Why do you run your business that way?
Avoid 21 common bookkeeping problems and get a copy of "Your Bookkeeping Stinks" today. It contains critical insight on problems found in many small businesses today!

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The "QuickBooks: News You Can Use" newsletter is written and distributed monthly by Scott Gregory. Scott is a:

• QuickBooks Specialist
• CPA
• Technology Consultant
• Charter Member of QuickBooks Enterprise Solution Provider Program
• Member, Intuit Speakers Bureau

Scott is also the president of Bond Technology, a firm that specializes in helping small businesses use QuickBooks effectively and profitably. Feel free to drop Scott an e-mail if you'd like to learn more about the services his company can provide.

QuickBooks is a registered trademark of Intuit. Bond Technology is not affiliated with Intuit in any way.

Please forward this newsletter to those friends and associates that have an interest in QuickBooks software.

The Internet community is constantly evolving, so exercise diligence in your research as you would any other purchase. Bond Technology, Ltd. is not responsible for any third party links or the misuse of those links. They are presented solely for informational purposes.

This newsletter is issued free of charge. Please take a look at the products and services offered in the newsletter to help defray the costs of publication. This publication Copyright 2001-2007 Bond Technology, Ltd. All rights reserved.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.

E-mail: newsletter@bondtechltd.com

Phone: 440-527-5696

Web: http://www.BondTechLtd.com