Abacus

• New information on Peachtree and QuickBooks

  I moved to a new site about a month ago,  please visit for the latest information on Peachtree, QuickBooks, and Excel. www.power-abacus.blogspot.com [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  by David Chermak

• Moving Day

  I have published 125 articles to this site.  In that time I have gone through many changes. I got my CPA. I changed jobs. I moved into IT as well as accounting. My focus has changed and this site was designed more for those who were in the processes I have moved from. Its time [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 9:30pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• QuickBooks Vs. Peachtree

  Number of comments: 4
  Something I truly enjoy is questions that I get from my readers.  A short time ago I had a reader mention that they would like to see a comparison between QuickBooks and Peachtree.  Since I do work with both and I am working with both on the expert level, I [...]
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  Posted: August 24, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Peachtree Toolbox: Adding department codes for better reporting

  Number of comments: 1
  It is a rare occurrence, but once and awhile I have a company that asks about being able to divide out information by location.  For instance, a retail store that has two locations and wants to see how each locations sales and expenses work out.  Most companies also want the [...]
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  Posted: July 12, 2009, 3:15pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Peachtree Toolbox: 2010 New Release

  It’s one of my favorite times of the year, new release time!  Peachtree is getting ready to release the 2010 version of their programs.  It seems that every year there are some new enhancements added to the programs that in most cases make them easier to use.  I thought I [...]
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  Posted: May 27, 2009, 10:32pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Peachtree Toolbox: Backing up your Data

  I finally have an opportunity to start sharing with you the things I have learned about Peachtree and QuickBooks.  I will mainly concentrate on Peachtree since QuickBooks does a great job of providing free information to its users.  Peachtree does an adequate job, however, it seems that there is not [...]
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  Posted: March 08, 2009, 12:46pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Personal Finance-Getting a grip

  Number of comments: 2
  We all are feeling the pinch of the down economy.  Some of us may be living with business as usual.  Others may be cutting back.  Still others may be facing the idea of a layoff. Either way, we all are considering the status of our finances.  The question is how do [...]
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  Posted: February 24, 2009, 9:30pm EST
  by David Chermak

• Merry Christmas! The Journey Continues

  Merry Christmas!   This year has turned out quite differently than I had expected.  I guess we can’t always expect things to work out just like we planned.  The economy, a change in leadership, gas prices, the stock market, and in general decisions made; all come into play when it comes to [...]
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  Posted: December 24, 2008, 3:11pm EST
  by David Chermak

• The Job Hunt-One Accountants Journey

  The majority of the users of my site use it to find information on Excel and perhaps the CPA exam.  I really have not heard from anyone that I have not blogged in some time.  Just in case, someone is following along and perhaps I might touch someone with this [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2008, 2:06pm EST
  by David Chermak

• Managers Corner: Are you treating your employee’s right?

    Sorry that I have not posted in awhile.  Things just keep piling up, making it harder and harder to find time to do the extras.  Unfortunately, my blog is one of the extras.  The other day a fellow employee gave me something I have not heard in a long time. [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:48pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Back to Work: Cash is king, a day with an Accountant

  What a wild two weeks!  It never ceases to amaze me the amount of work that can all be generated at the same time.  In my case I had month end duties, year-end duties, projects, and conversions all due at once.  Everybody in the department was working hours upon hours [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2008, 3:19pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Please Stand By…

  I have been slammed with projects and year end work.  The company I am currently at has it year end at the end of September. I have so much going on, I just do not know which way is up, and I have not had a single free moment to come [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Take a minute and get your bearings and credit scores!

  Every once and awhile it is worth it to take a step back from everything and evaluate what you are doing.  I am to a point going through that process.  I have gone through a lot of changes, some of these changes have occurred in the last week or so.   One [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2008, 2:58pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Using comments in a spreadsheet

  I decided that for now I will try to do an Excel Toolbox at least once a week.  For one thing I am pretty practiced at doing it and it still seems to be my most popular article series.  Generally I try to pick out something that I encountered while [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2008, 5:15pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Personal Finances: The Budget

  There are essentially three objectives to doing the Virtual Checkbook.  The first is to create a centralized, electronic way to log in your personal transactions and have a way to compare them to other means of payment you may be using.  By that, I mean credit cards and so on.   A [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2008, 8:44am EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Drop Down Lists

  This week at work I encountered something I had not seen in awhile and felt it would be a good topic.  This item is the drop down List.   Have you ever had a situation where you have a lot of data that is categorized into different sections but has a second [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2008, 11:38am EDT
  by David Chermak

• My Birthday: September 9th

  Since it was my Birthday, yesterday, I decided that I am going to give myself the day off from posting. Yes, I know you would rather have something to read.  But we all need to celebrate in our own way. Besides I hit the BIG 40! [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2008, 5:22pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Personal Finance: Adding the Credit Card information to the Virtual Checkbook

  Number of comments: 3
  Today we return to the Personal Finances and work further on our virtual checkbook.  Where I left us last time, we had prepared the checkbook and could begin making entries.  I had also mentioned that we needed to keep additional tabs for future use.  Today we are going to use [...]
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  Posted: September 05, 2008, 4:23pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Top 50 Accounting Blog!

  We all like to be recognized for our work.  Sometimes that recognition comes from a job well done.  Sometimes your boss gives you kudos for your hard work.  Still other times, your collogues and team members recognize the hard work you do.   Nothing compares to being recognized out of the blue [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2008, 2:04pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Sloppy Spreadsheets a follow up

  Since the end of the month is coming and we are going through a lot of system changes, you may see that my posts will get a bit choppy.  I will try to post when I can, but I have found that I am very busy with projects and assignments.  [...]
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  Posted: August 28, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Personal Finance: Setting up the Virtual Checkbook

  I had planned on making this post on Friday, however, Friday being Friday I found that there was a lot of work to be done and alas I did not get to my post.  I thought perhaps a Saturday post would be fun, but, again I got busy with things [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2008, 5:07pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Using Text to Columns

  This has been a fairly busy week.  Considering it’s nearing the end of August.  Generally the summer months tend to be slower business wise as many people take vacation and do other things.  When school starts in the fall, then things pick up again.  That is why I find it [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Personal Finance: The concept of the checkbook spreadsheet

  I am starting a new segment today and it is part of my new ideas for the second year of Abacus.  This segment is titled personal finance, and will cover none other than personal finance issues.  Now don’t expect me to give advice on what stocks to buy or things [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2008, 4:23pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: The CSV function

  I realized something today, I have had this blog open for over a year!   In reflection of the past year, I think I have done as well as I could with the time I have been able to put into this blog.  But I also think I can do better.   So, I [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2008, 5:27pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Basic Charting

  Since I did not have a collogue to bail me out on a topic this week, I chose something that I had really not delved into before.  Charting.   Often in the past, I have been asked to include a chart of the results of data I had put together.  Managers often [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2008, 3:42pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Printing out Comments

  I am looking forward to the start of the Olympics today, considering that the Chinese chose the start date to be 08-08-08.  Apparently, the number eight (ba) is a homonym of the Mandarin word for prosperity (fa).  The Chinese consider the number eight to be lucky.   I am hoping that this [...]
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  Posted: August 08, 2008, 2:24pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: More Power with Excel 2007

  I have yet to implement Excel 2007 with any of my clients.  It seems that most are content to stay with Excel 2003.  As I see it, they have not discovered the value of ’07 and they feel that the upgrade may be too costly.  What I mean by that [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2008, 3:04pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Back from Vacation-A quick word on Openoffice.org

  I intended to post yesterday but I found that I had a backlog of work.  Since the blog is free, and work pays me, work got the nod.   I was out for roughly two weeks, taking vacation in Sunny Florida.  You might be thinking going to Florida in the summer, Dave [...]
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  Posted: July 31, 2008, 5:50pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Next Week

  I may try to post something on Monday, but I will be on Vacation from July 22nd until July 29th.  I try to avoid computer usage during that time. [...]
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  Posted: July 18, 2008, 4:02pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toobox: The Tool Subtotals

  Did you ever have one of those moments when you think, “HMM, I have not used that in awhile.”  That very thought crossed my mind when I encountered a spreadsheet that featured subtotals.  I thought it might be good to go over that now. Subtotals are found in the menu item, [...]
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  Posted: July 18, 2008, 3:59pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• My Next Step: Ensure a Relentless Work Ethic

  I am continuing my series on My Next Step and exploring what I can do, now that I am done with the CPA, to work towards being the best accountant in my area of expertise.  This is an exploration of working on things like attitude, work ethic, and other positive [...]
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  Posted: July 17, 2008, 4:36pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Tips to better your spreadsheet presentation

  Number of comments: 1
  Inspired by the CFO article I shared last week on sloppy spreadsheets.  I thought that I would share some tips I follow to assure good, clean, and accurate spreadsheets.  The tips are simple to remember if you put them into practice and they will help you to look better in [...]
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  Posted: July 11, 2008, 4:10pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• My Next Step: Improving upon your Attitude

  I am starting a new segment today called My Next Step.  The reason I am starting this is I have completed my adventure through the CPA and have obtained my credentials along with a Masters certification.  This has completed a step in my thirty-year plan.  I am now exploring the [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2008, 4:44pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Adding a Picture, Logo, or Photo to your worksheet

  I occasionally receive questions via e-mail from interested readers asking for help with a variety of things involving Excel.  I am always happy to help, but I would like to go over a few things regarding what will happen if you have a question. I will always try to answer the [...]
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  Posted: July 03, 2008, 5:01pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Sloppy Spreadsheets

  Number of comments: 1
  I spotted a great article in CFO magazine that really fits into my spreadsheet topics.  I thought I would share it with you.  It covers keeping your spreadsheets clean and ready for just about anything, especially when you are sending them out to other users.  This is a great refresher [...]
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  Posted: June 27, 2008, 4:42pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• A Quick Post: Changing Careers

    I had a reader ask me a question regarding changing careers from retail work to accounting. After giving it some thought and considering what I did to change into this career, here is what I came up with.   I would recommend buying or borrowing the book the “Accounting for Non-Accountants” it [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2008, 5:45pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• SAS 70-Review of the concept.

  Number of comments: 1
    Something unusual happened to me over the last twenty-four hours.  I had two people at two different times mention to me a SAS 70 audit.  I recalled what the audit was, but as I had not been involved in one, at least in the last few years, I thought that [...]
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  Posted: June 20, 2008, 3:47pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Websites worth a look

  I was digging around some old documents over the weekend when I found a list of websites I made when I was first working on my own blog.  I had forgotten a lot of these sites.  So I decided this might be a good resource for everyone, perhaps I will [...]
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  Posted: June 17, 2008, 4:18pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Linking Worksheets, Workbooks, and Embeds

  I am finding that trying to have something clean and ready for Wednesday is proving to be a challenge considering that I cover for another person on that day.  I am considering moving my posting days to Tuesday and Friday, so watch for that change.  As for this week, I [...]
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  Posted: June 12, 2008, 4:25pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Friday Funnies

  Happy Friday, I thought I could do two topics back to back, but alas it was just too much.  I got to thinking; on Friday’s don’t you find yourself in a bit of a better mood?  At least at my office we seem to be a lot more relaxed and [...]
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  Posted: June 06, 2008, 5:43pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: How to hide rows, columns, and worksheets

  I have been asked many questions on hiding fields and such in a workbook.  My post on locking out users of a worksheet prompted this.  Although you cannot hide individual fields, it disrupts the grid on the worksheet; you can hide rows, columns, worksheets and entire workbooks.  I have the [...]
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  Posted: June 05, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Big 4 Experience: is it really necessary?

  Since I have reached several milestones, and according to my 30-year plan its time to start considering this, I have been looking out at the job websites to get an idea of what may be available. Granted I am nowhere near being ready to make a change, and I am even [...]
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  Posted: May 30, 2008, 4:56pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: How to create a hands off section of a Worksheet-Revisited

  Number of comments: 2
  I have been posed with a question as to how to set ranges for the group to use while locking the rest of the worksheet.  I decided that perhaps my earlier post was a bit hard to understand.  I have written out new instructions and have additional comments. When you lockout [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• CPA Exam: What happens after you pass

  Number of comments: 1
  One thing I have noticed.  Everybody talks about what you need to do to pass the exam and how different study methods work.  They also talk about what study programs are the best.  Very few discuss what happens after you pass. Since I am with you and have recently experienced the [...]
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  Posted: May 21, 2008, 5:17pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Moving Macro�s

  You’ve worked hard and created a macro and you saved it. The next time you go to open an Excel file, its gone. Where did it go? Essentially all macros will default to the specific worksheet you place it in. Unless you return to that specific worksheet you will not be [...]
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  Posted: May 16, 2008, 2:48pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Shortcuts Part Three

  Here is a final listing of shortcuts you can use to make your work easier on a day to day basis. Keys for PivotTable and PivotChart reports Lay out a report onscreen Press F10 to make the menu bar active. Press CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB to make the PivotTable Field List active. Press the DOWN ARROW [...]
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  Posted: May 14, 2008, 3:56pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Shortcuts Part Two

  Some more shortcuts for you to use, this is part of a primer I am creating for a workshop at home. You get to have it for free! Keys for workbooks and worksheets Preview and print To do this Press Display the Print dialog box. CTRL+P or CTRL+SHIFT+F12 Use the following keys in print preview (to get [...]
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  Posted: May 09, 2008, 3:36pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Shortcuts Part One

  I was thinking about all of the short cuts I use and though it would be fun to create a grid of all of the shortcuts I know about or have in one of my manuals.  I decided to make this at least a multiple part post, so watch for [...]
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  Posted: May 07, 2008, 4:41pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Menu bars and other things

  I use just a handful of functions in Microsoft Office’s toolbar menus. I like to have them handy so I don’t have to go searching for them every time I want to use them. Here is a handy tip to get the most out of your toolbars. If all you [...]
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  Posted: May 02, 2008, 4:55pm EDT
  by David Chermak

• Excel Toolbox: Creating a short cut for V-Lookup and Functions

  If you have a complex calculation that you reuse frequently in Excel or perhaps you frequently use a certain formula and want to be able to create a shortcut, you don’t have to repeatedly enter a long, complex worksheet formula. Instead, you can create your own worksheet function to perform [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2008, 9:24pm EDT
  by David Chermak