While being rather new to posting into the forums I've been a reader for a much longer period and ave noticed numerous requests for template cashflows, mileage rec etc with other members obliging via email requests.
Would it not be an idea to introduce a template section to the forum where such individuals can access as necessary? Just think it would add further value to this excellent forum.
Also appreciate a disclaimer would be required removing any liability against the Orem if members use the templates incorrectly etc, but thought it worth mentioning.
Cheers
Mark
sorry, been a bit busy and don't think that I've said hi yet so just get that out of the way first.
good to have you on board matey.
I would agree with Kris in that too many stickies would make the site much less useful. We do have a couple ("Convince me that I don't need Sage" which is actually a more rational and balanced arguement than it sounds and the free training resources stickies).
I don't think that one more sticky would hurt but to become a sticky the thread has to earn it's stripes so it wouldn't start off as one.
The thread would be a list of pro formas and useful links to pro formas with a get out of jail free card that the use of the proforma is the responsibility of the user not the poster.
I forsee the threads downfall being that there are so many useful pro formas out there that it would get to the stage that you would find it difficult to find what you are looking for. Also, comments (espechially the off piste variety) would need to be hived off elsewhere to keep the thread as uncluttered as possible.
To back up kris's point though, we cannot have multiple threads for all of the different pro formas as we would just end up with too many stickies.
I may start the ball rolling in a min with the old ratio's pyramid that I published a couple of years back (if I can find the thread that I posted it in).
If the thread does not gather sufficient interest in the form of other informative posts then it will never become a sticky.
If it does become a sticky then I can see the idea becoming a very useful free resource for site members so many thanks for the suggestion Mark.
Also worth noting that for BKN members there is a free resources section which I think needs to grow and suggestions such as this one I feel would be warmly received by Steve.
- Book-keeping Letter of Engagement.doc - Cash Book.xls - Example Management Accounts Template.xls - Management Accounts Checklist.pdf - Business Plan Template.doc - Letter to CAAT.doc - Know Your Client Form (Individual) - Know Your Client Form (Business) - Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
I personally didn't find the engagement letter sufficient for my needs and ended up using a couple of sections but building the rest of mine from other resources.
Personally I joined for the Arlington PII discount and everything else was a bonus.
kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. there is no financial link between myself and the site.
-- Edited by Shamus on Wednesday 2nd of January 2013 07:05:45 PM
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Would certainly second this, as finding those useful posts could be a real winner.
Guess it depends on the forum software being used, as I help moderate a couple of large computer parts manufacturer sites (Asus & EVGA) and the forum software varies hugely in terms of what differeing levels of Admin's can do.
I have to say I disagree. You only need to look at UKbusinessforums to see how stickies can get out of control. Sometimes you're scrolling half way down the page to find recent threads.
Google is great if you want to find things on the forum, I dont see the need for stickies.
p.s. there is no financial link between myself and the site.
Except the awards they keep needing to buy you.
Kris
But after the next one's I have promised to give Steve the negatives so no more prizes for me .... Oops, no, my mistake, what I meant to say is that its all on merit
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I'm petrified of the fact that a client can turn up with a shoebox full of receipts and expect me to produce a set of accounts.
They're the great ones to get (when they actually have all of the receipts!).
The worst ones are those who think that they know what they are doing and believe that all you need to do is turn their spreadsheet into a set of accounts.... Everything is there, shouldn't take you more than an hour to sort out and don't worry about anything because they confirmed it all with their mate down the pub whose accountants wifes sisters freinds au pair told them that was the way everyone does it so it must be right.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
there has got to be some pretty messed up sets of books out there lol.
Indeed there are, where as you just want to do it spot on. You will probably find that you are more than capable of achieving what you want already. It may help to see a layout of someones finalised accounts.
Is there mileage in introducing a "template section" then? Surely asking forum members to search google defeats the very nature of the forum does it not?
People come here for help and to provide help?
Just my thoughts I appreciate but also trying to add further value to an already excellent site.
You may notice that Shaun has setup a thread for that very thing.
I appreciate I was vague when I said to google it but what I mean is that the site search engine isn't the best so if you google the site for the term you want it works better e.g. "site:book-keepers.org.uk -mobile excel form" for some reason it brings up the mobile site first so having the -mobile avoids this.
Actually I will say something and if seems rude I will apologise in advance.
Taking cashflow analysis as a good example, if you know how to analyse cashflow and know how to predict in a roundabout way future cashflow then producing a template should be easy. If you don't know anything about cashflow analysis then just using someones template is sort of counter-productive, you aren't actually learning anything and you would be better off producing your own template as you learn.
Can you post a link from the "Pro Formas and other useful information" to this thread? Possibly have this thread for the discussion thread for that thread if that makes any sense. I know I could easily do so myself but it would be better if it was added to your first post to keep that thread as uncluttered as possible.
I found one the other night that I just saved to my drive so don't have the link anymore. Easy enough for me to search for it again though. It was an Excel file for dividends and the minutes relating to it. All the wording is there (CONCATENATE formula) you just put in the dates, numbers and it will create it for you.
For me, I like a lot of these files for the formulas and learning to use them by seeing them in practice.
One thing that did occur to me - does this have the approval of the forum owner? I see a lot of what people will be looking for is available in the members section of the site. Might it be stepping on some toes providing them in the public section. (I really should get round to joining the site myself).
Are we posting the actual files or just the links to the files? (Just noticed the "Attach File" button).
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
If Steve complains about anything that we incorporate I'll remove it but at the moment I think taht they are quite seperate... Of course, if we do too good a job of it the thread content might get sucked into the members area information.
talk in a bit,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
.... Oops, no, my mistake, what I meant to say is that its all on merit 
