If you are a small business owner new to QuickBooks, learn these first: setting up your company correctly, adding customers and vendors, sending invoices, entering bills, recording payments, reconciling your bank account and reading your profit and loss report. Master those and you have clean books. Our QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials class teaches exactly this in 12 hours, online or in person.
1. Company setup
A good setup saves hours later. Enter your business information, choose the right settings, and review your chart of accounts, the list of categories your money flows into. Keep categories simple and meaningful. Connecting your business bank account is part of setup, and keeping business and personal money separate is one of the best habits you can build.
2. Customers and vendors
Customers are who pays you. Vendors are who you pay. Adding them with correct names and contact details makes invoices, bills and reports accurate. It also makes it easy to see who owes you and whom you owe at any moment.
3. Invoices and payments received
Learn to create a professional invoice, send it, and record the payment when it arrives. This is how you track sales and follow up on late payers. When payments are recorded correctly, your reports show real income instead of guesses.
4. Bills and payments made
Entering bills when they arrive and recording payments when you pay them keeps your expenses organized and helps you avoid late fees. Over time you see exactly where your money goes.
5. Bank reconciliation
Reconciliation means matching your QuickBooks records to your bank statement. It catches missing transactions, duplicates and errors. Many owners skip it, and that is when books drift out of shape. Do it every month.
6. Reports that matter
- Profit and loss: income minus expenses over a period. Are you making money?
- Balance sheet: what the business owns, owes, and the owner's share at a point in time.
- Other reports: who owes you, what you owe, and spending by category.
Reading these reports helps you price better, plan purchases and have clearer conversations with your tax preparer or lender.
What can wait
Advanced features like inventory tracking, payroll and complex automation can come later, once the basics are steady. Many owners get overwhelmed by trying everything at once. Start with the core workflow above.
Also building your business plan? Our free Start Your Business Workshop can help; sign up on the enroll page. For a planning budget in Excel, see our Excel & Office class.
Class details
- Class: QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials, 12 hours total.
- Evening cohort: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM Pacific, November 30 to December 9, 2026.
- Saturday cohort: January 23 and 30, 2027, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Pacific.
- Format: in person at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, CA 92401, or live online from anywhere in the U.S.
- Price: $297.
- What you get: hands-on practice with company setup, customers and vendors, invoices, bills, payments, bank reconciliation, the profit and loss statement, the balance sheet and other reports.
How to enroll
- Apply online. It takes about 2 minutes.
- Pay with the QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials pay link or see every option on the tuition page.
- We confirm your seat within 2 business days.
Not sure yet? Join our free Info Session & Orientation, online every Monday from 5:00 to 5:45 PM Pacific. Register on the enroll page to get the link.
FAQ
Should I do my own books or hire a bookkeeper?
Many owners start doing their own books to understand the numbers, then hire help as they grow. Knowing QuickBooks makes you a better manager either way.
Does this class replace my tax preparer or accountant?
No. The class teaches day-to-day bookkeeping. Talk with a tax professional about taxes and filing decisions.
Can I send my office manager instead?
Yes. Anyone can enroll, and employers can request team training or an on-site cohort through our partners page.
Questions? Call or text (909) 454-7076.