[?] Subscribe To The Bookkeeping Blog

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Home

Take A Tea Break With Me Today
The Site Map
The Blog
The Free Ezine

The Receipts Organization
The Suggestions
The Vehicle System
The Paperless System
The Proven System

The Compliance Taxes - Canada
The CRA Compliance
The Payroll Taxes
The GST HST
The T2125 Form
The CRA Tax

The Compliance Taxes - U.S.
The IRS Compliance
The IRS News
The Payroll Taxes

The Store Front

The Book Shoppe
The Freelancer
The Online Exams
The Basics
The Excel Lessons
The Forum
The Support

The Free Training

The Tips
The Practice
The Financials
The System
The Plan
The Help

The Back Office

Contact/Meet Me
Hire Me
Site Policies

Office Repairs, Moving and Subscriptions Fees

by Suzanne
(Penticton, Canada)

Office Repairs and Moving Fees

Office Repairs and Moving Fees

What things can we generally record to the repair and maintance account?

I am facing an unusual situation:

My boss tried to repair something in his office by himself eventhough he is not a repair guy. He bought some protective gloves and clothing, a drill, screw driver, drill bits, wrench, copper pipes,gypsum board, saw and many more - ranging in prices from $2 to $200 for each items.

The bad news, he ended up not being able to fix it and ended up hiring a repair person to do everything over again costing $5,000.

Can all the expenses be claimed on this?

What account do bookkeeper usually put rearranging furniture in the office to?

My boss was doing some reorganization in his office and he hired a person to move the furniture from one end of the office to the other for $600.

Where does this moving fee go to?

Does it matter how expenses are classified? Can newspaper subscription fees be put in the office account instead of opening an account called newspaper subscriptions?





section divider



Hi Suzanne,

To facilitate easier tax preparation, I like to use the CRA Form T2125 as the basis for my chart of accounts when doing the books for a small business that is privately owned.

I also prefer to use CCA (Capital Cost Allowance) as my amortization method if GAAP statements are NOT required by third parties.

So this means I'd charge the subscriptions to Dues and Subscriptions (Line 8760 of the Form T2125) and the moving fees to Repairs and Maintenance (Line 8960 of the Form T2125).

As long as the the materials and tools your boss purchased to make repairs stay with the business ... and don't "walk home for personal use" ... they can be expensed.

I'd charge any small tools to your balance sheet account under capital assets called Small Tools Class 12. This CCA class is written off at 100%. This means you will take amortization on them, which in effect will expense it the same year as purchased.

I'd charge any materials to Repairs and Maintenance ... keeping in mind that your boss CANNOT charge the value of his labour but he can charge the value of the labour of the contractor he hired to get the job done.

If the repairs were capital in nature, they will have to be coded to your capital assests to be amortized over time.





P.S. I would like to remind you there is a difference between information and advice. The general information provided in this post or on my site should not be construed as advice. You should not act or rely on this information without engaging professional advice specific to your situation prior to using this site content for any reason whatsoever.

Comments for
Office Repairs, Moving and Subscriptions Fees

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 23, 2012
Equipment Repair
by: Sharon, Calgary

My client has an asset account for medical equipment (capitalized); purchased for his business. Recently there was a purchase made for a part to repair the equipment, which he had delivered via Fed Ex.

I am not sure what the best way would be to record this type transaction and what account(s)to post them to.

I have two purchases on the credit card statement. One for the purchase of the part (foreign currency for the amount in USD at an exchange rate of 1.02150) and one for FedEx (for fees and GST).

Would I do a general journal entry to record first the amount of the purchase?

Would I record the full amount I see on the credit card statement in USD?

Then I need to record Fed Ex. There is a shipping charge and a GST charge. Where I get confused is I don't know what account to apply the shipping and GST to?

This is the bookkeeping entry I think I should do?

DR Office Expense - for full amt of part
DR Office Expense - for the amount of shipping on the Fed Ex receipt
DR GST Paid Liability - for the amount on the FedEx receipt
CR credit card

Am I thinking of this all wrong?



section divider



If the repairs are not capital in nature, I would record them to an account called Repairs and Maintenance, not office expenses.

I'm not sure what software you are using and whether it has multi-currency. If yes, it will likely handle the currency conversion for you as long as you enter the exchange rate in the appropriate spot. If not, see this post on foreign exchange ... with one adjustment ... it has been brought to my attention that the account would more appropriately be called Foreign Currency Conversion than Gain (Loss) on Foreign Exchange.

The shipping expenses I would book to one of two places ... the same account as the repair was booked to OR a separate account called Delivery, Freight, and Express.

The recording of the GST depends on whether your client is GST exempt or not ... as you made reference to medical equipment.

In general, if you are using QuickBooks, it would be better to record these transactions using the credit card slip window (found under banking) rather than make a manual journal entry.

Click here to add your own comments


SIMPLE EASY
Office Filing System


Learn How to Organize Files
In Under 30 Minutes

$47

Bookkeeping In A Box eBook- choose the Canadian or US Version

Download eBook Canadian

Download eBook U.S.



You can delegate responsibility but you can't abdicate it!




2 Bookkeeping Tests
Prescreening Tool or Study Aid
350 Questions

includes answer key,
Bookkeeping Basics Webcast
and more

Bookkeeping Test Questions and Answers Bookkeeping Test Online Basic Bookkeeping Training

$49 USD
LIFETIME ACCESS

Click on exam booklet to order
Click here for more information

How to Use This Exam:

(1) As part of your interview process when hiring a bookkeeper.

(2) To self assess your bookkeeping skills.

(3) As a practise test before writing your bookkeeping certification exam.




Learn How to Turn
Your Piles of Paper
Into an Organized
Electronic System

Paperless Document Organization Guide

Click on the picture above
for easy to understand tips and strategies on how to go paperless.




Free eReport When You
Subscribe To My Newsletter
The Bookkeeper's Notes

eBook cover




Subscribe To
The Bookkeeper's Notes
A Free Newsletter

For The Work From Home Business Owner

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you The Bookkeeper's Notes.




Brian Tracy's

Click here to receive Brian Tracy's Free Goal Setting Success Guide!





(Listed Under Websites NOT Under Local Business. This website is not associated with any business operating in Bonnyville Alberta.)




From the Mail Bag
Visitor Comments



Thanks for the information. It is nice to see there is an online site where I can go get answers to my bookkeeping questions. It was really a stroke of luck I came across this site. I googled my bookkeeping question to see if I could get an answer, a shot in the dark, and bookkeeping-essentials was one of the results listed. I looked over some other sites but none were as flexible as this site. I got a quick response and I will be using this site in the future. Thanks again.

Bayside, NY, United States




I love your site...its very homey!!! It's like reading/talking to a friend!! Thanks!!

Kim, Jackson, MS United States




Your website is positively BRILLIANT! I don't care at all for the numbers side of my business, but you've made it interesting, fun, comfortable--downright enjoyable! Bite-sized WELL WRITTEN bits walking me through fundamentals, encouraging me, explaining.(Note: "well written" covers everything from "interesting" to "intelligent." The reader doesn't stumble over elementary grammar errors, lots of typos, etc.) I've only just discovered this lovely gold mine!

Cherie, U.S.




I have just come across your site and it's great...thank you so much for the time it must take you to compile the data and information. I have no accountancy or book keeping knowledge and am currently trying to learn QuickBooks via YouTube. (lol) There must be an easier way as I don't have the time or finances, what with starting a new business, to attend a course at college or similar.

Debbie, Vancouver, BC Canada




As a novice at the bookkeeping game, this site has become my go to site for research. Thank you for the great resource. I do my data entry one or twice a year (very low volume) and I find I need retraining on Quickbooks for things like depreciation/CCA.

Den, St. Albert, AB Canada




A More Than FANTASTIC site! So often I've thought about putting something together like your site, but didn't have the time. Googling information about Supplies or Tools over under $500.00 was the most useful Google search I've ever done because of discovering your site. Way to go and THANKS VERY MUCH. PS.... Also loved it that you put the Tax chart for GST HST back to 1997; I spent hours trying to get this information from the CRA website. I've not had time to look at your whole site, but I will be refering to it often I'm sure and will mention anything I think is missing, should I not discover information as I might be looking for it. Thanks, Again

Leona, Sicamous, BC Canada




Thank you for your comprehensive reply to my question. I really appreciate the time you took to explain it to me.

Connie, Canada




This is an absolutely awesome site! I am not lying. I went to Chapters to try to find something just like this and they did not have what I was looking for - which your site does ... which is good definitions and explanations. I am going to book mark this page if that's okay. ... Great job and thank you. I will definitely use this resource.

PK Lethbridge, Alberta




My biggest problem in doing my books is keeping debits & credits straight in liability and equity accounts. I really liked the cheat sheet. (I think that will help me keep the debits and credits straight.)

Lisa, Williston, USA




Lake you're awesome in every way. I have had some insight about how to properly classify some accounts.

Karim, Calgary, Alberta




Thank you so much for this website. I am interviewing for my first bookkeeping position in over 10 years--and my first in Canada. I have AAS degrees in Accounting and Business Admin from the US but have never worked in "my field" since immigrating in 2000. Your website makes me feel more confident I can actually do the job I am interviewing for. So far, I have been refreshing my knowledge and preparing for a job interview. I've bookmarked the site for WHEN I get the job!

Robin, Toronto, ON




I love your website. Just love it.

Carolann
CPB Bookkeeping, Inc.
"The Organizer"
Lake Worth, FL




I posted a question on Accumulated Surplus and you asked me to comment on your comments. I really appreciated reading what you posted and it did help. Especially the part of talking to the accountant. That really makes sense. I find more and more that I interact with the accountants to keep on learning. Love Love Love your website. Just discovered it about 3 weeks ago and have been on it lots since then.

Jan
Red Deer, Alberta




Wow. I'm so thankful to have stumbled across your site, with the assistance of Google. :) I love your style of writing, your approach, and your message. Thank you for your time and efforts. In a nutshell, your light humor and simple approach is refreshing and uplifting.

Kathy, Hillsdale, United States




Your site is great by the way. I just came across it.

Trish, Canada




Thanks for responding so quickly ... I really appreciate all the forum help ... I do Love the forum and have looked through other questions on it and feel it will greatly help in the future. Your site is fantastic and I will recommend it to anyone asking about bookkeeping help.

Cindy, Calgary, Canada




It (your site) is very helpful and thank you for your tips and advice. I am so glad I found your site.

Lee, Calgary, Alberta




Thank you so much for your hard work on your site ... I find I learn quicker and easier with you than I did with courses. Your site has helped my knowledge, learning new things and with the explanation of terms/items. Keep up the good "BookWORK"!

Naomi, Balance Your Books, Squamish, B.C.




This website has been very helpful. It's been too many years since school and I'm a bit rusty.

Sue, Medicine Hat, Alberta




I just found this site tonight. It's going to help me a lot as I learn how to use my Quickbooks more fully (I've only used it for payroll). Don't ask me how I've managed to keep the books this long -5 years- without knowing much more than how to balance a checkbook. I'm getting some help from a professional now, but your site will keep my pro costs down. Thank you. I will definitely donate once I begin to use it with my QuickBooks. It's [your site] easier to understand than Help in QuickBooks. QuickBooks assumes I know bookkeeping concepts. It [your site] appears to be very thorough, though I've only scratched the surface of what I can learn. I took an online bookkeeping class a couple of years ago, but this site has direct application to quickbooks and it's a searchable site!

Ruth, Dos Palos, CA USA




Thank you for providing valuable information regarding home business taxes on this website.

U.C., Toronto, Canada




I started my own bookkeeping business two years ago and enjoy your site. I literally grab my cup of coffee and look around for hours. :D It's a wonderful site with loads of information and I'm all about learning from my peers who might have the answers to some of the questions I may have. Keep up the good work. :)

Tania, TaniasBookkeeping.org
Taking the worry away
Belledune, New Brunswick




BTW, did you say Bookkeeping? Cuz I fell asleep... just kidding!

Dr. Julia
www.advice-with-dr-julia.com

(I love her humour!)




Absolutely a great site! I have often dreamed of having a similar site but figured I might have to wait until I retire to get the time. I have bookmarked this site and will return again.

C.H.
Alwyn Enterprises
Scarborough , Ontario




You have a wonderful website. Thank you so much for letting me know you have one now. [It] is really well done and very, very informative. Also really charming.

R.P.
Reliable Recordkeeping
Toronto, Ontario




I'm enjoying reading your blog! Thought I'd drop you a quick note of encouragement.

Loralee, Red2Black.ca
QuickBooks "one
on one" coaching
Edmonton, Alberta




This is a marvelous site and one that I would like to use as the basis for training bookkeepers. I am a CPA here in the states and am in the process of building a what will hopefully become a substantial bookkeeping business (not a dark wood & gold lettered CPA firm). I want to serve the small business owner with the day to day service they need. You have obviously put in an enormous amount of time and effort here (there is no doubt there) and provide a wealth of fantastic information.

R. Keith Pierce, CPA, P.A.
I'll Sweat The Small Stuff For You - JaxTaxPro.com
Jacksonville, Florida