Practical Accounts & Bookkeeping in easy steps
In Easy Steps Series
What’s inside...
Practical Accounts & Bookkeeping in easy steps is a concise, jargon-free guide that walks readers through the fundamentals of double-entry bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, and managing cash flow. Using real-world examples, worked exercises, and clear diagrams, author Alex Byrne demystifies day-to-day accounting tasks for individuals, families, and budding young entrepreneurs. Each chapter builds practical confidence, from understanding ledgers and debits/credits to creating a simple business plan, helping readers develop the money-management habits that underpin long-term financial wellbeing.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-16
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why is it important to record even small cash expenses?
How could accurate accounts help a hobby turn into a business?
Which habits from the book could our family adopt right away?
What risks might we face if we ignore cash-flow warnings?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child help reconcile a grocery receipt with the family budget.
Role-play running a mini stall and posting each sale in a ledger.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Record everything promptly
Explanation: The book shows how small omissions snowball into big errors.
Real-World Application: Write down pocket-money spending the day it happens.
Example Lesson: Plan before you spend
Explanation: Cash-flow charts illustrate consequences of impulse buys.
Real-World Application: Create a simple monthly budget for gaming or hobbies.
Example Lesson: Check your work
Explanation: Trial balance section highlights spotting and correcting mistakes.
Real-World Application: Recount change after purchases to avoid loss.
Example Lesson: Separate personal and business money
Explanation: Case study of a teen baker keeps two ledgers.
Real-World Application: Use labelled envelopes or apps for different saving goals.
