By Scott Hembree

All authors need an accounting system to keep their book business ship-shape. Here are some pointers to help you develop an effective system:

• Production cost (copy edit, proofread, ghostwriting, typesetting, cover design, back cover writing, language translation, and so forth)
• Printing costs
• Freight (from printer to warehouse and you)
• Shipping costs to customers, media contacts, wholesalers, & distributors
• Warehousing fees
• Publicity costs
• Travel cost for publicity
• Marketing costs
• Web services
• Office supplies
• Packing supplies
• Sale licenses
• Sales taxes
• Vendors
• Any other miscellaneous expense

“Gosh, I need a robust accounting system to handle all that.”

Not necessary. If you look at the history of how businesses use accounting, you’ll see that accounting systems haven’t changed much since the Middle Ages. Even Luca Pacioli, a Franciscan monk who in 1494 produced a book on mathematics that described the accounting systems in use at the time, describes procedures that would be recognized by modern accountants.

In his book, Pacioli suggests that merchants need three things:

1. sufficient cash or credit
2. an accounting system
3. a good bookkeeper

It is that simple.

So, what tool are you using? There is one must-have for the 21st century: accounting software. There are several affordable software packages, such as Quicken, QuickBooks, Peachtree, Microsoft Office Accounting Express, MYOB, Simply Accounting, etc.

There is other tool that we would like to let you know about. WinePress Publishing is taking advantage of advanced computer and information technology. We have developed an accounting system that includes all of the above items as a “one-stop” service. So why not take advantage of us?

Scott Hembree works in WinePress’ Accounts Receivable department. He is responsible for receiving all payments and entering incoming financial data into the system. He says, “It is my hope that you will find WinePress service a pleasant and professional experience.”