EASY FINANCE
Version 1.07
Copyright (c) 1989 by Philip L. Berretta, CPA
Danville Software Company


NOTICE

Easy Finance is being distributed to you as SHAREWARE. This
means that you are authorized and even encouraged to make copies
for your friends, your computer club, or local bulletin
board, etc. However, you may not use this program for any
commercial or other profit making purpose without the express
written consent of the author.

It's not FREEWARE! If you like the Easy Finance program and
you are using it then please help support it by sending your
registration fee of $29.95 to:

Danville Software
137 Gerald Dr.
Danville, CA 94526


When you register you will be given the information
necessary to order the special computer checks and window
envelopes that can be used with Easy Finance. In addition, you
will be advised of future enhancements to the program which you
will be able to purchase for a nominal upgrade charge.

For your convenience a registration form can be printed from
the PRINT option of the main menu.

The author makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to
the merchantability and fitness of this program for a particular
purpose.

OVERVIEW

Easy Finance is an easy to use personal finance program
designed by a CPA to automate routine financial chores - such as
writing checks and keeping financial records.

You enter transactions on electronic forms (deposit slips,
checks, withdrawal forms, etc.) and they are automatically
entered into one of Easy Finance's three registers:

Cash Receipts Register
Check Register
Other Cash Transactions Register

A major feature of Easy Finance is that you can use it to
write checks on your personal computer. However, to do this you
will need to order your own personalized checks with your name,
address,account number, bank number, and other information
required by your bank. Matching window envelopes are also
available. We will send you the information to order these
special checks and envelopes when you register.

Easy Finance also prints many different reports of your cash
transactions which you can use to manage your financial affairs
and help you prepare your tax return at the end of the year:

Cash Receipts Register
Check Register
Other Cash Transactions Register
Activity Summary
Check Distribution Report
Chart of Accounts

STARTING THE PROGRAM

Before running the program you will need to set your
Config.Sys file in your root directory to:

Files = 35

Set up a directory on your hard disk called EF (or any other
name you wish to use). Copy Easy Finance files to this directory.
The files that come with this program are:

EF.EXE
ACCOUNTS.DAT
ACCOUNTS.K01
ACCOUNTS.K02
EF.DOC

You will need at least 370K of available hard disk space for
the program files in addition to the space required for the data
file that you create.

We recommend that you have 640K of RAM and a color monitor
for maximum efficiency and enjoyment from the program.

If you want to use your own Chart of Accounts instead of the
one that comes with Easy Finance do not copy the ACCOUNTS.DAT,
ACCOUNTS.K01, AND ACCOUNTS.K02 files to your hard disk.








The first time you run the program, Easy Finance creates the
following additional files:

ADJ.DAT
ADJ.K01
BEG_BAL.DAT
BEG_BAL.K01
BEG_BAL.K02
CHECKS.DAT
CHECKS.K01
CHECKS.K02
CHECKS.K03
DEPOSITS.DAT
DEPOSITS.K01
DEPOSITS.K02
EXPENSES.DAT
EXPENSES.K01
EXPENSES.K02
EXPENSES.K03
PAYEES.DAT
PAYEES.K01
PAYEES.K02
S_DATE.DAT
S_DATE.K01

If you did not copy the ACCOUNTS.DAT, ACCOUNTS.K01, AND
ACCOUNTS.K02 files to your hard disk the program will create
these files the first time you run it.

After Easy Finance has been copied to your hard disk simply
type EF at the DOS prompt to run the program:

C> EF

The Easy Finance banner will appear on the screen. Press the
ENTER key. The Main Menu will now appear on your screen:

MAIN MENU

Enter
Print
Maintenance
Utilities
Quit

Select


Each of the Main Menu functions will be explained in detail
later. Here's a quick summary of what each item does:

1. Enter - This is where you first enter each transaction
(i.e., deposits, checks, other transactions such as ATM
withdrawals, etc.).


2. Print - This is where you print checks, make copies of
each of the registers, the Activity Summary, The Check
Distribution Report (which summarizes expenses by expense
category), and the Chart of Accounts

3. Maintenance - This item is used to maintain your Chart of
Accounts and Payee List. You can either use the Chart of
Accounts that comes with the Easy Finance program or enter
your own categories if you like. You can create Payee Lists
of names and addresses that can be automatically entered on
checks.

4. Utilities - This is where you enter your beginning cash
balance ( so Easy Finance can calculate your current cash
balance) . Easy Finance also includes a utility to select
what time period you want to display on the screen.

5. Quit - This option returns you to the DOS prompt.

HOW TO USE EASY FINANCE

You always begin using Easy Finance at the MAIN MENU. When
you start Easy Finance you will see the opening banner. Press the
ENTER key to go to the MAIN MENU. You can get to the main menu
from anywhere in the program by pressing the ESC key until the
menu appears. Think of the ESC key as the back out key. You
scroll up and down the menu with the up and down arrow keys. You
select an option from the menu by placing the light bar over
the menu item and pressing the ENTER key.

When you select an item from the MAIN MENU a sub menu will
appear on the screen with additional choices. You make selections
from the sub menus the same way you do for the MAIN MENU.

SET UP

Before you record any transactions you will need to tell
Easy Finance your beginning cash balance and also the start date
to display transactions on your computer screen. To do this go to
the main menu and select the UTILITIES option.

The DISPLAY DATE utility allows you to display transactions
from any start date that you specify. For example you may want to
display the transactions for the current month only instead of
the transactions for the entire year in order to save scrolling
time when you view the various register. The display option only
affects what appears on your computer screen. It does not change
or alter your files. BE SURE THAT THE BEGINNING CASH BALANCE
CORRESPONDS TO THE PERIOD THAT YOU SELECT TO DISPLAY ON THE
SCREEN.


HOW TO ENTER TRANSACTIONS

Select ENTER from the MAIN MENU.

The sub menu will display:

Enter Deposits
Enter Checks
Other Cash Transactions

Select the type of transaction you wish to enter by
positioning the light bar over the item and pressing the ENTER
key. This will take you to one of Easy Finance's three registers
- The Cash Receipts Register (if you selected Enter Deposits),
the Check Register (if you selected Enter Checks), or the Other
Cash Transactions Register (if you selected Other Cash
Transactions).

THE CASH RECEIPTS REGISTER

The Cash Receipts Register is used to keep a record of all
your deposits to your bank account. Deposits are displayed in the
Register in deposit number order beginning with the date you
entered at SET UP time. You may change the display date with the
Set Up option in the Utilities menu. Information is entered
into the register on an electronic deposit slip that is activated
by pressing the INS key. To print the Cash Receipts Register you
should press the ESC key to return to the main menu and then
select the PRINT option.

1. To record an entry in the Cash Receipts Register press
the INS key to open a deposit slip. You will see a deposit slip
that resembles the one you actually use.

2. The blinking cursor will be positioned on the No: field
on the deposit slip. The program will automatically number each
deposit slip for you or you can manually enter a different number
if you wish. Press the ENTER key to move the cursor to the next
field on the deposit slip. You can always return to a previous
field on the deposit slip by pressing the ESC key.

3. Enter the date using the numerical key pad using the
mmddyy format and press ENTER to record. If you make a formatting
error Easy Finance will beep at you. Correct an entry by
re-entering the correct date. Press the ENTER key to move to the
next field.

4. Enter the name of payee (you can enter up to 25
characters) and press ENTER to record. If you make a mistake you
can either overwrite (by turning off the Ins key), or press the
DEL key to erase the entry and then enter the correct name. Press
the ENTER key to move to the next field.


5. Enter the Account Number. If you do not remember the
number press the F2 key and the Chart of Accounts will appear in
a window on your computer screen. Use the up and down arrow keys
to scroll up and down the chart of accounts. When you locate the
account that you want to code the deposit to press the ENTER key
and the account number will be entered on the deposit slip
automatically.

6. Enter the Amount of the Check or cash and press the ENTER
key.

7. Enter the portion of the check that will be taken out as
cash.

8. The deposit amount is automatically calculated by Easy
Finance.

9. Enter a memo (up to 25 characters). Press ENTER to post
the deposit to the cash receipts register.

10. If you want to edit a deposit that has already been
entered in the Cash Receipts Register, place the cursor over the
entry you want to edit and press the ENTER key. The deposit slip
for the entry will appear on the screen. Keep pressing the ENTER
key until you position the cursor at the field you want to
change. Delete erroneous information by pressing either the DEL
or backspace key. Type in the correct information and press the
ENTER key. Continue pressing the ENTER key until the last field
is reached and the Easy Finance will automatically reenter the
edited deposit slip in the Cash Receipts Register.

11. If you want to delete a deposit from the register place
the cursor over the entry and press the DEL key. The deposit slip
will appear on the screen. If you now press the ENTER key the
entry will be deleted from the file. Instead of deleting the
record you may want to edit the deposit slip by indicating the
slip as "void" in the space provided for the name and then
changing the amount to $-0-.

12. You can see what your cash balance is at any time by
pressing the F3 key. When you do this a window appears
superimposed on the Cash Receipts Register which shows a summary
of all cash transactions including the current balance.

CHECK REGISTER

The Check Register is used to keep a record of checks
written on your bank account. Checks are displayed in check
number order. Information is entered into the Check Register on
an electronic check that is activated by pressing the INS key. To
print checks, the check register, or the check distribution
report press the ESC key until you arrive at the main menu and
then select the PRINT option.

1. To write a check or record an entry in the check register
press the INS key to open an electronic check.

2. The blinking cursor will be positioned on the Check No:
field. The program will automatically enter the check number for
you or you can manually enter a different number if you like. If
you enter a number manually all subsequent checks will be
sequentially numbered from the number you entered. Press the
ENTER key to go to the next field. You can always return to a
previous field by pressing the ESC key. This is called the
back-out key.

3. Note that the cursor jumps over the space provided for
spelling out the amount of the check in words. The reason for
this is that Easy Finance will fill in this field for you after
you code the check distribution.

4. Enter the date using the numerical keypad in the mmddyy
format. If you make a formatting error, Easy Finance will beep at
you. Correct an entry by re-entering the correct date. Press the
ENTER key to move to the next field. IMPORTANT - Every check must
have a date. If you do not enter the date the check will
not be displayed in the check register.

5. Notice that the cursor jumped over the amount field. The
reason for this is that Easy Finance will fill this field out for
you after you code the check distribution.

6. Type in the Payee name (up to 25 characters). If you
press the F-2 key you will see a list of payees in a scrolling
window that you previously entered ( the payee list is set up by
using the Payee List option from the Maintenance menu). Instead
of typing the name you can place the cursor over the name
you want typed on the check and press the ENTER key; Easy
Finance will enter the name on the check for you. If you want
Easy Finance to enter the street address for you, place the
cursor over the street address space (the space below the payee
name) and press the F2 key and the ENTER key. Follow the same
procedure if you want to automatically enter the City and State.
You can enter the full name and address manually if you like.

7. After you enter the City and State and press the ENTER
key a Check Distribution Form and a form to Record Check
distribution appear on the screen. This is where you tell Easy
Finance what expense category or categories to charge the check
to.

8. You will need to fill out one of these forms for each
expense category that you want to allocate the check to. The
blinking cursor will be positioned on the amount field. Enter the
amount and the account number. If you do not remember the account
number you can press the F2 key and a scrolling Chart of Accounts
will appear on the screen. Place the cursor over the expense
category you want to charge the check to and press the ENTER key
and the account number will be entered on the distribution form
for you. If you want to record the check to more than one expense
category press the INS key to activate another entry form and
repeat the process. You can allocate a check to as many expense
categories as you like. Press the ESC key and the total amount
will be calculated and entered on the electronic check
automatically.

9. The cursor will now jump to the memo field. You can
record any remarks (up to 25 characters) that you want to record
on the check.

10. Press ENTER and the check will be recorded in the check
register.

11. If you want to edit a check that has already been
entered in the check register place the cursor over the entry you
want to edit and press the ENTER key. The electronic check for
the entry will appear on the screen. Keep pressing the ENTER key
until you position the cursor at the field you want to change.
Type in the correct information and press the ENTER key. Continue
pressing the ENTER key until the last field is reached and Easy
Finance will automatically reenter the edited electronic check in
the check register.

12. If you want to void a check from the check register
place the cursor over the entry and press the ENTER key just as
though you were going to edit the check. Press the ENTER key
until you get to the Expense Distribution Form. Place the cursor
over the first entry and press the DEL key. The RECORD CHECK
DISTRIBUTION form appears. Press the ENTER key to delete the
entry. Continue this process until you have deleted all entries
on this form. Now press the ESC key and Easy Finance will enter a
zero in the amount field on the electronic check. Press ENTER
until you get to the memo field. Type VOID in the memo field. IT
IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DELETE EACH ENTRY ON THE EXPENSE
DISTRIBUTION FORM. IF YOU DO NOT THE EXPENSE DISTRIBUTION REPORT
WILL NOT EQUAL THE TOTAL OF THE CHECK REGISTER!

13. The default view of the check register is to display
checks in check number order. However, you can view checks in
Account Number order by pressing the F2 key or in Payee order by
pressing the F8 key. In each case a scrolling window will appear
with checks displayed in the order you requested. Use the up and
down arrow keys to scroll the register to find the information
you want.

14. You can see what your cash balance is at any time by
pressing the F3 key. When you do this a window appears
superimposed on the check register which shows a summary of all
cash transactions including the current cash balance.



OTHER CASH TRANSACTIONS REGISTER ("OCTR")

The Other Cash Transactions Register is used to keep a
record of all cash transactions that do not fit into either the
cash receipts register or the check register such as automatic
teller machine withdrawals, electronic bank transfers, bank
charges, etc. OCT's are displayed in the register in numerical
order. Information is entered into this register on an electronic
form and is activated by pressing the INS key. To print the Other
Cash Transactions Register you should press the ESC key to return
to the main menu and then select the PRINT option.

1. To record an entry in the OCTR press the INS key and an
entry form will appear on the screen.

2. The blinking cursor will be positioned on the No: field
on the form. The program will automatically number each form for
you or you can manually enter a different number if you like.
Press the ENTER key to move the cursor to the next field on the
form. You can always return to a previous field by pressing the
ESC key.

3. Enter the date using the numerical key pad using the
mmddyy format. If you make a formatting error Easy Finance will
beep at you. Correct an entry by re-entering the correct date.
Press the ENTER key to move to the next field.

4. Enter a reference (up to 25 characters).

5. Enter the type of transaction - i.e., ATM, ET, BANK
CHARGE, etc.

6. Enter the amount using the numerical keypad. Enter a
minus sign after the number if you want to deduct it from the
cash balance. Press the plus key if you want to add it to the
cash balance.

7. Enter the account number. If you do not remember the
number, press the F2 key and the Chart of Accounts will appear in
a window. Use the up and down arrow keys to scroll up and down
the chart of accounts. When you locate the account that you want
to code the transaction to, then press the ENTER key and the
account number will be entered on the form for you automatically.

8. Press ENTER and the transaction will be posted to the
OCTR.

9. If you want to edit a transaction that has already been
entered in the OCTR, place the cursor over the entry you want to
edit and press the ENTER key. An OCTR form will appear on the
screen. Keep pressing the ENTER key until position the cursor at
the field you want to change. Delete erroneous information by
pressing either DEL or backspace keys. Type in the correct
information and press ENTER. Continue pressing the ENTER key
until the last field is reached and Easy Finance will
automatically reenter the edited OTR form for you.

10. If you want to delete a OCTR form from the OCTR
register, place the cursor over the entry you want to delete and
press the DEL key. The OTR form will appear on the screen. If you
press the ENTER key, the entry will be deleted from the OTR
register. Instead of deleting the record you may want to edit the
OTR form by indicating the form as void in the space provided for
the type and then changing the amount to $-0-.

11. You can see what your cash balance is at any time by
pressing the F3 key. When you do this a window appears
superimposed on the OTR register which shows a summary of all
cash transactions including the current cash balance.

HOW TO PRINT

One of the most useful features of Easy Finance is its
ability to print computer prepared checks and a variety of useful
reports:

A. Cash Receipts Register.

B. Check Register.

C. Other Cash Transactions Register.

D. Activity Report (A summary of all cash transactions
for the period you specify).

E. Check Distribution Report (Shows the distribution of
your checks by expense account).

F. Chart of Accounts.

G. Registration Form.

PRINTING CHECKS

1. In order to print checks you will need to order special
check stock that is compatible with Easy Finance. You will be
sent the necessary information to order your personalized checks
and windown envelopes when you become a registered user.

2. If you already have the special check stock all you have
to do is line the printer platen up with the top edge of the
check and turn your printer on. Your printer should be on LPT1.

3. Go to the main menu and select the PRINT option. When the
sub menu appears select the PRINT CHECKS option.

4. A pop-up window will appear on your computer screen.
Enter the first and last number of the checks you want to print.
Press the F2 key to activate the check lookup table if you forget
the check numbers you want to print.

5. Easy Finance enters the computer check number on the
check as the "I.D. No.". This number may be different from the
preprinted number on the check. This obviates the need to change
the computer check number sequence when you destroy or spoil a
check. In Easy Finance the I.D. number is the check number. This
system allows you to control the physical stock of checks based
on the preprinted number and the computer assigned number based
on the printed I.D. number.

6. Printing will begin automatically after you enter the
last check number to print.

PRINTING REPORTS

You print reports by going to the main menu and selecting
the PRINT option. A sub menu appears on the screen listing all of
the reports that you can print with Easy Finance. For all options
except the Chart of Accounts and the Registration Form a pop-up
window called PRINT REPORTS will appear on your computer screen.
You enter the name you want to use with the report (up to 25
characters) and the period covered (up to 35 characters). Next
you enter the first and last date of the reports. You can center
these by using the spacebar and the Backspace key. You can
specify any dates you wish and Easy Finance will only print
transactions occurring within those dates on the report you
selected. Printing will begin automatically after you enter the
last date so make sure your printer is turned on before you
begin. Note - the period you select for printing overrides the
period you have selected for display.

MAINTENANCE

This is the section of the program where you maintain the
Chart of Accounts and the Payee List.

A Chart of Accounts accompanies the program. You may use
this as is or you can modify it to suit your own needs. You
can also create your own Chart of Accounts by deleting the
Accounts.* files as previously explained and entering your own
categories. As explained earlier the Chart of Accounts can be
accessed from the Enter function and used to lookup and enter
account numbers on deposit slips, checks, and the Other Cash
Transaction form.

You can setup a Payee List with the names, street addresses,
and City, State, and ZIP codes of your regular creditors. This
payee list can be accessed from the Enter Check function and can
be used to enter payee's names and addresses on your checks
automatically.


To maintain your Chart of Accounts or Payee List select the
MAINTENANCE option from the main menu. A sub menu appears. Select
the option you want to execute. A pop-up scrolling window will
appear on your computer screen. Use the arrow keys to scroll up
and down the windows. You can back out by using the ESC key.
Three functions are available to you at this point:

1. Add a Record - You activate this function by
pressing the INS key on your computer. An data entry
form called UPDATE ACCOUNTS or UPDATE PAYEES will
appear on your screen. If you are using the Chart of
Accounts option, type in the name of the account and
the account number. If you are using the Payee List
option, then enter the name and address of the payee.

2. Change a Record - Place the cursor over the item you
want to edit and press the ENTER key. Make your changes
and press the ENTER key when done.

3. Delete a Record - Place the cursor over the item you
want to delete and press the ENTER key.

UTILITIES

The Utilities option is used to (1) enter your beginning
cash balance into the program and (2) Select the display period
you want to view on your monitor. Both of these functions have
been described previously and will not be repeated here. BE SURE
THE CASH BALANCE YOU ENTER CORRESPONDS WITH THE DISPLAY DATE THAT
YOU SELECT!

QUIT

The QUIT option returns you to the DOS prompt. You can also
back out of the program by pressing the ESC Key until you reach
the DOS prompt. Easy Finance saves data as it is entered so if
you accidently back out of the program you will not lose any
information.