Property Management Accounting: A Survival Guide for Non-Accountants

by Michael Monteiro and Marc Levetin

Book Overview

Buildium's Property Management Accounting teaches basic accounting concepts with property management specifically in mind. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439241619
• ISBN13: 9781439241615
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
• Length: 82 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Just what I needed...

and just in time! As a small start-up company we were at a loss in the accounting department that is until we received this amazing step-by-step guide that helped our accounting system flow seamlessly!! Thank you! Property Management Accounting: A Survival Guide for Non-Accountants

A Great Resource

Let me start by saying that I think the negative reviews of this book are no longer legitimate, as one of the major gripes against the book seems to be the $29.95 price tag. The book is now selling for $9.99. As for the book itself, it is exactly what I wanted it to be -- I did not purchase this book expecting a full length, textbook style accounting book. This book is a perfect resource for landlords or property managers who do not have a strong accounting background. If that sounds like you, then this is the book. An example: "Assets: things a property owns" and "Liabilities: amounts a property owes." This book builds sequentially, starting with the utmost basics and covering in the next 82 pages the entirety of accounting concepts that most landlords or property managers need to know while maintaining a highly readable, easy to understand tone. When I was new to property management accounting, this book very effectively broke down the concepts for me in a way that was easy to understand. I would highly recommend it.

Short, sweet, and to the point

If you're looking for a 30lb. textbook on accounting, this is not the book for you. However, if you're looking for a concise, well written guide to the basics of property management accounting give this one a shot. By reading the book and following the examples, someone (like me) who knows how to manage their personal finances but doesn't know how to properly "keep the books" for a property management company can gain the knowledge and confidence to do so.

Harmony Review

We are a small HOA management company with only a part time accountant. Therefore, it is very important for the non-accounting people to understand basic accounting for homeowner associations. This book is very easy to read and understand and I find that it has been a significant help with our many accounting tasks.

Good Desk Reference, Solid Information

The first line of the introduction in this book says it all: "In this day and age, we're lucky to have software that takes care of the nuts and bolts of property management accounting. The second line puts everything in perspective: "But even with software, you'll find it much easier to keep accurate records if you have an understanding of the basic accounting concepts upon which these programs are based." This book does just that. Before I jump into my full blown review, I feel that it's relevant to include a little background. I'm alright with accounting practices, in that I understand how money comes in and money goes out. In addition, I've been using the Buildium software quite for around a year and a half now, and understand how to get the reports I want and need. In college, I took Accounting 111, and passed with a C. (My worst grade throughout my entire Bachelor's studies, but hey, it counts.) However, the intricate details of accounting were always a challenge to me. I picked up this book partly out of necessity and partly out of curiosity to see if it could help me really get into the more intricate details of property management accounting. The book is broken down into 3 main parts, with an introduction and an appendix. Throughout the book, there are written explanations as well as charts of accounts and diagrams showing how the flow of the transaction works - everything is broken down step by step to provide an easy to follow path getting you from Point A to Point B. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is that it builds sequentially. The first chapter explains basic accounting terms, explains how the cash flow sheets work, and outlines the process a transaction goes through, from the time it takes place until the time you read it on a report. The second chapter explains how books are kept for one property, and explains basic transactions such as recording rent and security deposits, paying bills, and managing security deposit funds at the end of tenancy (returning or applying to damages). The third part of the book explains how the books work for a property manager, managing many properties. This includes recording owner contributions and payments, collecting management fees, and other such tasks that a property manager would handle (assuming they wanted to stay in business!) There is such a tremendous amount of solid information packed into the book that it will require at least a couple reads to really pick up on all the finer points. In addition, it covers enough varying situations that it has earned a spot on my desk as a reference guide when I get stuck and need to answer a question. I would certainly recommend "Property Management Accounting: A Survival Guide for Non-Accountants" to anyone who is struggling with the understanding of property management accounting, or for someone who wants a solid desk reference. At a grand total of 82 pages, it won't take up much room and the price point of $29.95 make