Bookkeeping Step by Step

A complete guide from your first business idea to annual reports

Historical Context

  • Bookkeeping has existed as long as humans have done business. Anyone who does business must have order and control over the numbers.
  • The practice of double-entry bookkeeping emerged during the early medieval period in Italy.
  • Bookkeepers long wrote books by hand and finished the numbers with a beautiful flourish, similar to what we've done here.

What is Bookkeeping?

1

Collect Invoices and Receipts

Gather all business transaction documents systematically

2

Register According to System

Record transactions following established accounting principles

3

The Result Becomes Two Summaries

Generate Income Statement and Balance Sheet reports

The Complete Process

Chapters 1, 2 & 3

When you start your own business, you begin with an idea – a business idea. This is clothed in economic terms – a budget. To get started with the business, you need to make certain purchases. You get the first expenses. Then you start working and have reason to send your first invoice or give the customer a receipt. You get the first income.

1
Budget & Liquidity

Create your first budget and understand cash flow

2
First Expenses

Handle verification and organize receipts

3
First Income

Invoice routines and cash receipts

Chapters 4, 5 & 6

Time to start recording business transactions. After the first month, it's time for a follow-up. The months pass and the year approaches its end.

4
Start Bookkeeping

Account invoices, chart of accounts, debit and credit

5
Record Everything

Common transactions, VAT, corrections

6
Follow Up

Regular reporting and balance reconciliation

Chapters 7a, 7b, 8 & 9

You close the ongoing bookkeeping. You can see how your business idea succeeded economically in the first year. You make a new budget for the coming year.

7a
Annual Accounts (Sole Proprietors)

Rules and preparation for individual businesses

7b
Annual Reports (Companies)

For corporations and partnerships

8
After Year-End

Revision, company meetings, authorities

9
New Budget

Follow-up and planning for next year

Resources & References

Additional materials and tools to support your bookkeeping journey

📚 Original Documents

Based on official Swedish accounting standards and guidelines

  • Swedish Accounting Standards Board guidance
  • Bookkeeping Act requirements
  • Tax authority regulations

Note: This manual is available in digital format only. Printed versions are no longer distributed.

🔧 Tools & Templates

Practical resources for implementation

  • Bookkeeping templates
  • Chart of accounts examples
  • Budget worksheets

📖 Learning Path

Structured approach to mastering bookkeeping

  • Beginner fundamentals
  • Intermediate procedures
  • Advanced reporting