FAQ

Accounting software like QuickBooks is designed for mid-sized companies with high transaction volumes and complex needs. For most small business owners, you’re paying $40 to $85 a month for features you’ll never use.

These templates give you everything you actually need, including income and expense tracking, profit and loss, bank reconciliation and dashboards, in Excel or Google Sheets, tools you likely already have. One-time payment, no subscriptions and no complicated software to learn.

A basic spreadsheet just stores data. These templates are built the way a CPA actually keeps books, with structured transaction logs, automatic reporting, built-in error checks, bank reconciliation and multi-year tracking. Everything is connected, so your reports update automatically as you enter transactions.

Every bookkeeping template is a little different, but here’s what you can expect across the bookkeeping system templates:

• Transaction log with smart prompts and error checks
• Customizable chart of accounts and categories
• Automatic profit and loss statement
• Monthly and annual dashboards with visual charts
• Built-in bank and credit card reconciliation
• CSV bank import (select templates only)
• Auto bank mapping that categorizes recurring transactions (select templates only)
• Account reconciliation for accruals
• Balance sheet
• Multi-year tracking in one file
• Step-by-step instructions, plus a dedicated YouTube tutorial for most templates
• Most templates work in both Google Sheets and Excel

Features vary by template, so check each product description to see exactly what’s included.

Absolutely. They’re built the way an accountant keeps books but designed so you don’t need any accounting knowledge to use them. You enter your transactions and the reports do the rest.

There are templates designed for specific business types:

• Multi-Year Bookkeeping System: freelancers, sole proprietors and small businesses
• Multi-Year with Auto Bank Mapping: the same, with automatic transaction categorization
• Multi-Business Bookkeeping System: entrepreneurs managing multiple businesses or income streams
• Rental Property Bookkeeping System: landlords managing up to 10 properties
• Church Bookkeeping System: churches and religious organizations, with fund tracking
• Non-Profit Bookkeeping System: non-profits and foundations, with donor management
• Simple Bookkeeping System: beginners who want a straightforward starter system

Not sure which one is right for you? Send me a message and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Your download is ready right after checkout. You’ll find the link on your order confirmation page and in your email. Unzip the folder and you’ll find your template plus setup instructions.

Check your spam or promotions folder first. If it’s not there, send me a message with your order number and I’ll get it to you directly.

Yes. You pay once and it’s yours to keep. No monthly fees, no subscriptions.

Because templates are digital downloads, all sales are final. If something isn’t working the way it should, reach out and I’ll help make it right.

Most templates are built for Excel for the web and Microsoft 365, and many are also available in Google Sheets. Each product page lists exactly which versions are included.

The templates may also open in older versions of Excel, but some features may not work as intended, so Microsoft 365 or Excel for the web is recommended.

Yes. The Excel version works on both Mac and PC, and Google Sheets works on any device with a web browser.

The templates are not compatible with Apple Numbers, since it doesn’t support all of the formulas. On a Mac, use Excel or Google Sheets instead.

Most of the time, it’s because the folder hasn’t been unzipped yet. Files opened from inside a ZIP folder may not open or save properly.

1. On Windows: right-click the downloaded ZIP folder and choose Extract All.
2. On a Mac: double-click the ZIP folder to unzip it.
3. Open the template from the new, unzipped folder.
4. If Excel shows a yellow Protected View bar at the top, click Enable Editing.

Still having trouble? Send me a message with your template name and I’ll help you get it open.

Google Sheets runs in your web browser, so there’s nothing to install. You just need a free Google account.

1. Sign in to Google. If you don’t have a Google account, create one for free at accounts.google.com.
2. Open your download and click the Google Sheets link inside the instructions.
3. Click Make a copy. This saves your own copy of the template to your Google Drive.
4. Rename your copy and open it from Google Drive anytime, on any device.

Always work in your own copy. Please don’t request edit access to the original link, since your copy is the one that’s yours to keep.

Start with the setup instructions included in your download and the video walkthrough linked inside the template. Most templates also have a dedicated YouTube tutorial.

Select templates include a CSV bank import feature with auto-mapping, which automatically categorizes your transactions based on rules you set up once. Simply download your bank or credit card statement, paste it into the template, and your mapping does the rest. Check the product page to confirm if your template includes this feature.

Auto-mapping recognizes recurring transaction descriptions from your bank or credit card statement. For example, if you have a Google Ads subscription, you set that keyword once and it automatically categorizes it every time. If a transaction needs a different category, you can always override it manually.

Yes. The Multi-Year templates let you track several years in one file and compare them side by side. If you run more than one business, the Multi-Business template keeps each one separate with individual and consolidated reporting. Not sure which fits your needs? Send me a message.

Send me a message with your template name and whether you’re using Excel or Google Sheets. I respond as quickly as possible.

Yes. I offer one-time setup services, including auto-mapping configuration and historical data import. Reach out directly for more details.

Yes. If I release an updated version of a template you’ve purchased, contact me and I’ll send it to you.

Each purchase is for personal or single business use only. Please don’t share, resell or redistribute the files. If you’d like to use a template with clients, get in touch.