Chapter Five



  Paperwork, the Necessary Evil 

Every business requires paperwork. You will need to deal with it in yours so you want to do it right from the very first. There are actually two reasons why paperwork is necessary. One is taxes, you have to keep records to prove you are paying the right amount. The other is to understand and control your business. We will teach you how to do both, as quickly and painlessly as possible.


Section headings


  • Receipt book

  • Appointment book

  • 3 X 5 cards

  • Contracts
  •     Reasons why contracts are a good thing

  • The four legal bases
  •     Identify the parties
  •     Set out the terms
  •     Execution of contract
  •     Delivery

  • Example of a very simple contract
  •     Make sure it can be enforced

  • Example of a more realistic cleaning contract

  • Bid letters

  • Insurance
  •     What does it do?
  •     How to keep your costs low

  • Types of insurance
  •     General liability insurance
  •     Business interruption insurance
  •     Worker's compensation insurance
  •     Vehicle insurance
  •     Property/Casualty insurance

  • Bonds
  •     Fidelity bonds
  •     Surety bonds

  • Bookkeeping
  •     Why bother?
  •     Cash or accrual?

  • Cash receipt journal

  • Cash dsibursement journal

  • Depreciation
  •     Rules of the game

  • Profit & loss statement

  • Cash flow

  • Home office deduction

  • Vehicle expenses
  •     One vehicle
  •     Two vehicles

  • Bad debts

  • Business gifts

  • Husband and wife teams

  • Bad checks

  • Keep your receipts

  • Choosing an accountant
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