"QuickBooks 2006 is the biggest leap forward in simplicity in over a decade." ~ Scott Cook, founder of Intuit.

Let's start this edition by saying - there are lots of things happening in the world of QuickBooks. Lots of very good things!

The 2006 product line is about ready to hit the showroom floor (it will be available for shipment in mid-November). But you don't have to wait until then for an insiders' look at the new versions of QuickBooks.

Here's a quick recap of some (but not all!) of the new features and benefits (click here for a direct link to QuickBooks 2006 product info):

• New-Navigate Quickly to Key Tasks with the Simplified Home page
• New-View All Customer or Vendors Information in One Place
• New-Employee Center lets you manage employee and payroll information from a single screen
• Improved-Manage Multiple Customer Addresses More Easily
• New-Track Changes with Always-On Audit Trail
• Improved-Track and Control Costs with Improved Inventory Management Tools

Two other very important notes of interest relating to the 2006 product line:

• No More Rebate Forms (yahoo!)
• QuickBooks 2006 will NOT run on Windows 98 - Windows 2000/XP only

Take an online test drive of the 2006 QuickBooks, attend an Intuit webcast for more insight, and get all the information you've been looking for right here.

REMEMBER: You can count on me to save you up to 20% on the price of QuickBooks 2006 (and get you free shipping too!) when it officially goes on sale. Many, many more details will be coming your way in the November issue of my newsletter.

Learn more about QuickBooks from the comfort of your home or office with my QuickBooks Web Workshops.

These workshops were developed based on your feedback earlier this year. All you need is an Internet connection and telephone to learn more about these critical areas of QuickBooks:

• Zooming Through QuickBooks: Shortcuts and Timesavers
• Using QuickBooks Lists
• Understanding QuickBooks Templates
• QuickBooks: Running Reports
• QuickBooks: Paying Bills and Tracking Credit Cards
• Budgeting and Planning with QuickBooks
• Tools and Services that Work with QuickBooks

The workshops have been conveniently scheduled to run at various times during the months of October and November. The sessions run for just 60 minutes. Each information-packed session lasts just 60 minutes, and you'll receive PDF handouts so it's easy to follow along.

For all the details on the workshops and to register for one or more, click here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All times shown in the workshop details are Eastern Time.

What would you say to getting hundreds of dollars worth of professional advice for your business for only $79? If you're looking to take your business to the next level, I hope your answer is YES!

Here's how you can do just that - join me and 2 of my colleagues at the "Secrets to Small Business Success" workshop being held on Saturday, November 5th, 2005 at Lakeland Community College.

The session will run from 9am until 1pm, and here's what we have in store for you that morning:

• Net Profits: Doing Business on the Internet - learn about web storefronts, search engine marketing, selling your products on eBay and so much more!
• QuickBooks: Tips to Save You Time - worker smarter with QuickBooks every day by learning these tips.
• Demystifying Geek-Speak - if you've been trying to figure out computers, networking, routers and all that stuff, this is the perfect session for you. Tech talk in plain English.
• Taxes and Accounting: Building a Solid Foundation - gain valuable tips and tax-saving ideas to help simplify your accounting.

To register for this workshop, call Lakeland Community College BEFORE OCTOBER 28th at (440) 525-7116 and register for section 70666 - just $79!

Question #1: What is the difference between the "Save and Close" and "Save and New" buttons at the bottom of the screen?

A: I get this question frequently, so I'll explain by way of example. Let's say you need to create 5 invoices for your business at the end of the day. You enter all the details into the first invoice and you are ready to move to the next one. If you click "Save and Close" at this time, your invoice details will be recorded on the customer account, BUT, you will be taken completely out of the invoicing screen. You'd have to click on the invoice icon to return for the entry of the second invoice.

As an alternative, when you finished that first invoice and clicked "Save and New", your invoice details would be saved AND you would then see a blank invoice screen so you can immediately start working on your second invoice. Ideally, for invoices 1-4, you'd choose "Save and New" when done with each of them, and then "Save and Close" when done with the last invoice. The "Save and New" button can really save you time during data entry!



Question #2: How do I record debit and/or electronic transfers from my checking account?

A: These transactions are treated no differently than writing a check in QuickBooks. You'll want to go to the "Write Checks" window like you normally do, but instead of showing a check number for a these transactions, you can type in "Debit" (no quotes) in the check number field for debit transactions and/or EFT (short for electronic funds transfer). It is not mandatory that the check number field in QuickBooks contain a number, and by using the debit/EFT terms, you can always then sort your transactions so that they are all grouped together!

Do you have anti-spyware software on your computer? If not, you should!

Spyware goes by many definitions (for a refresher, click here), but for many, it can be quite annoying or even harmful! In some recently reported spyware cases, software has been secretly installed on computers that collects the keystrokes as they are being typed. The reason for doing this is to capture your online banking user name, password and/or other sensitive data that can be used to steal or wreak havoc with your bank account.

There are several very good anti-spyware products available to you. A couple of my favorites are:

• Counter Spy by Sunbelt Software
• Microsoft AntiSpyware

REMEMBER: Anti-spyware is just one piece of your security package. You also need to have updated anti-virus software, a firewall and all Windows security patches loaded to your computer as well!

Join me at the following events around Northeastern Ohio:

• "Secrets to Small Business Success" - Saturday, November 5, 2005. 9am - 1pm @ Lakeland Community College. Cost = $79 Get the information your business needs in these critical areas: Net Profits: Strategies for Multi-Channel Electronic Marketing, QuickBooks: 9.5 Tips to Save Time, Taxes and Accounting: Building a Solid Foundation; and Demystifying Geek-Speak
• QuickBooks: Tools and Tips to Support Your Clients (session designed for CPAs) - Wednesday, November 9, 2005. 8am - 10am @ Radisson Hotel in Eastlake. Cost = $39
• QuickBooks: News and Tips - Wednesday, November 9, 2005. 4 - 5:15pm @ Radisson Hotel in Eastlake. FREE!

For additional details on these events, please call Lynda @ 440-255-4654 or drop her an e-mail.

Meet your customers online. Anytime. Anywhere.

The "QuickBooks: News You Can Use" newsletter is written and distributed monthly by Scott Gregory. Scott is a Certified QuickBooks Advisor, CPA and Microsoft Certified Professional.

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 and The QuickBooks Cafe' are 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 2001-2005 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