Need some advice to set up spreadsheets for 2017, please
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Your spreadsheet is for your own use and record keeping, so I can not see that it would be a violation. If you are taking your spreadsheets to your tax preparer you may wish to clear off the client name, but generally if I were going to a tax preparer I would be providing totals rather than the itemized sheets. A tax preparer or IRS owes confidentiality for the individual's information they are made privy to.
There seem to be two reasons for the confidentiality insisted on by the MSCs. First, it is to no one's advantage to have the employees of the client know the company doing the shops as it could lead to them discovering the criteria on which they are being evaluated. Second, historically some MSCs have poached the clients and evaluations of other MSCs. So we don't allow MSC and client to be named together in an open forum where we do not know every single reader or forum member.
There seem to be two reasons for the confidentiality insisted on by the MSCs. First, it is to no one's advantage to have the employees of the client know the company doing the shops as it could lead to them discovering the criteria on which they are being evaluated. Second, historically some MSCs have poached the clients and evaluations of other MSCs. So we don't allow MSC and client to be named together in an open forum where we do not know every single reader or forum member.
Me too. Thanks so much. I too have forgotten much about Excell.
From the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-long-should-i-keep-records):
Summarized: in most cases 3 years is enough for the records. There are exceptions going to seven years, mostly due to losses. And if you are committing fraud, keep the records of that fraud indefinitely!
Other websites recommend you keep the completed tax returns forever, but trash the supporting documents after seven years.
Google is your friend.
As for spreadsheets, in addition to Microsoft Excel, there are two look-alike products that are free: OpenOffice and LibreOffice. I have used OpenOffice on WindowsXP; when I dumped Windows, I switched to LibreOffice which plays nicer with Linux.
Summarized: in most cases 3 years is enough for the records. There are exceptions going to seven years, mostly due to losses. And if you are committing fraud, keep the records of that fraud indefinitely!
Other websites recommend you keep the completed tax returns forever, but trash the supporting documents after seven years.
Google is your friend.
As for spreadsheets, in addition to Microsoft Excel, there are two look-alike products that are free: OpenOffice and LibreOffice. I have used OpenOffice on WindowsXP; when I dumped Windows, I switched to LibreOffice which plays nicer with Linux.
Hey I learned something today. I never knew that how to make a formula using that symbol as I never knew what it meant, I had been doing it with a manual entry. =SUM(E3:E22). Been a long time since I used Excel as well (thought I use open office, can't afford MS)
Thanks
Thanks
i think it is wonderful that you all can get down into the weeds about which column goes where--- but for the ignorant---like myself---anybody have a basic layout that the ignorant can use---please advise
Thank you
Thank you
gg,
Welcome to the forum!
If you check the New Shoppers section, one of the stickies is an Excel template. You can start from there.
Welcome to the forum!
If you check the New Shoppers section, one of the stickies is an Excel template. You can start from there.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Thank you kind person- I look forward to that simple answer and leave you all to define the minutiae of the forms--that i will never devolve into
gg, you are very welcome!
The template is a good place to start because it's basic. You can build it to your liking. It only has to be usable for you.
The template is a good place to start because it's basic. You can build it to your liking. It only has to be usable for you.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I think this is so great you all talking about doing a spreadsheet. I think it's a great idea but I'm rusty with excel and though I've been trying to set a spreadsheet up I did not know what to record. Thank you everyone for the tips. I need to do a better job with recording payment, mileage, bonuses, losses as well and so forth. I've learned the hard way about losses with shops so a spreadsheet will help me to better monitor.
Hi MA I am a Spreadsheet Guru and I will help you achieve the ultimate spreadsheet that you desire with all the bells and whistles that you think or imagine can be implemented. And all of that is free of charge. Just do something nice to someone else and pay it forward as they say. Let's spread Good will spreadsheets all over. If you wish at some point to take this topic off list we can do do, but we will publish the final result for the benefit of All at the end. I await your reply...
Hi Phil,
I just saw what you said about the spreadsheets. Sounds amazing. Are you going to publish it when you're finished?
Cheers,
Chris
I just saw what you said about the spreadsheets. Sounds amazing. Are you going to publish it when you're finished?
Cheers,
Chris
I find a database a much better tool for managing my MS information. I'm grateful for the spreadsheet posted on the site, it was extremely helpful when I first began shopping. But when I set up my own system I chose to go with a database. I get a lot of people are more comfortable with spreadsheets but it seems strange to read this discussion and not see at least mention using a database as an option.
Very simply because a VENN Diagram of people who mystery shop and people who know how to build a database would have a miniscule overlap.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@Phil wrote:
Hi MA I am a Spreadsheet Guru and I will help you achieve the ultimate spreadsheet that you desire with all the bells and whistles that you think or imagine can be implemented. And all of that is free of charge. Just do something nice to someone else and pay it forward as they say. Let's spread Good will spreadsheets all over. If you wish at some point to take this topic off list we can do do, but we will publish the final result for the benefit of All at the end. I await your reply...
WOW! That is an extremely generous offer, thank you. Ill be happy to share this good fortune with others.
The hardest part of this work for me has been finding a satisfactory spreadsheet. Years ago, I taught macros to my professors. Formulas were my friend. Information I could send with a click to the main spreadsheet; priceless. Loading it all into a PowerPoint presentation with a word document, spreadsheets and charts was my claim to fame.
Unfortunately, I didn't need to utilize those skills for almost 2 decadesand as the saying goes..."use it or lose it'.
I'm probably not working nest week, so I may have time to ask you how to build the ultimate spreadsheet with all the bells and whistles.
If I am able to take the time? May I have your permission to PM.
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
MA asked about spreadsheets, not databases.
@wwin wrote:
I find a database a much better tool for managing my MS information. I'm grateful for the spreadsheet posted on the site, it was extremely helpful when I first began shopping. But when I set up my own system I chose to go with a database. I get a lot of people are more comfortable with spreadsheets but it seems strange to read this discussion and not see at least mention using a database as an option.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Thanks, HonnyBrown and bgriffin, you are both right. In my mind, if a person is going to go through the work of setting a system up then they would want to use the proper tool for the job. Using a spreadsheet to do a database job to me is like eating ice cream with a fork. Sure you can do it, and if you don't have a spoon it will work. However, if you're planning a party with ice cream you'd buy spoons.
I can really see it's just a me thing. I am fortunate to be knowledgeable in setting up both spreadsheets and databases. Maybe someday I'll clean up my database and make it more user-friendly then share.
I can really see it's just a me thing. I am fortunate to be knowledgeable in setting up both spreadsheets and databases. Maybe someday I'll clean up my database and make it more user-friendly then share.
I'm fairly familiar with both and to me a spreadsheet just makes more sense. But that's just me. I've always been a spreadsheet guy.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I prefer spreadsheets over databases because that's where my comfort level is at. wwin, I would be very interested in an Access tutorial. I'll bring the ice cream!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2017 12:27AM by HonnyBrown.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2017 12:27AM by HonnyBrown.
Hi, I was hoping that someone could e-mail me a copy of the template they use to track their shops and expenses. Thanks! Kelly.Henry224@gmail.com
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/2017 09:09PM by khenry.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/2017 09:09PM by khenry.
I would suggest editing out your email address. Bots will comb the forum for it and sell it to every spam company ever made.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
KHenry, there's a template in the New Shopper section of the forum--[www.mysteryshopforum.com] It was created by Flash and has all the columns and formulas built in. There's also a sample page so you know how to use it.
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