Lunch & Learn, Presented by Buena Vista University: QuickBooks Basics for Small Business Owners
Name:
Lunch & Learn, Presented by Buena Vista University: QuickBooks Basics for Small Business Owners
Date:
September 9, 2026
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Event Description:
Lunch & Learn, Presented by Buena Vista University
QuickBooks Basics for Small Business Owners
Lunch provided by:
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Location: Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
Fee: $29 – includes lunch & class access (via Chamber)
Space is limited—reserve your seat and learn how to lighten your load, inside and out.
Meet our presenter: April Pannell
April Pannell is the Founder and CEO of AKW Financial, bringing more than 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and business management. Before founding AKW Financial, she held senior leadership roles in accounting and finance, including Corporate Controller and Chief Financial Officer. Throughout her career, she has led financial operations, developed and executed financial strategy, and supported businesses through growth and change.
QuickBooks Basics for Small Business Owners
Getting Set Up, Understanding the System & Knowing What to Check
Whether you are just getting started with QuickBooks or have been using it for a while but aren’t completely sure you are using it correctly, this Lunch & Learn will walk you through the basics every small business owner should understand.
We’ll take a practical look at the main areas of QuickBooks, how they work together, and what you should be reviewing on a regular basis to keep your books organized and useful.
What We’ll Cover
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Getting Started with QuickBooks
Basic setup considerations and how your business activity flows through the system. -
Navigating QuickBooks
Understanding the dashboard, menus, and the key areas you will use most often. -
Bank & Credit Card Connections
How bank feeds work, how to review incoming transactions, and the difference between adding and matching transactions. -
Income & Expense Tracking
How to categorize common business transactions and why consistent coding matters. -
Customers, Invoicing & Payments
How to create invoices, record customer payments, manage outstanding balances, and understand Accounts Receivable. -
Bills & Vendors
How to enter and track bills, manage vendor activity, and understand when to use Accounts Payable. -
Products & Services
How these are used within QuickBooks and when they may be helpful for your business. -
Owner Transactions
How to handle owner contributions, draws, reimbursements, and personal expenses paid through the business. -
Reconciling Your Accounts
What reconciliation means, why it is important, and how often it should be completed. -
Reports & What to Review
An introduction to the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and other useful reports. -
Your Monthly QuickBooks Check-In
What business owners should review each month to make sure their QuickBooks file stays current and accurate. -
Common QuickBooks Mistakes
Simple mistakes that can create duplicate income, incorrect balances, or additional cleanup work later.
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for small business owners who:
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Are setting up QuickBooks for the first time
-
Recently started using QuickBooks
-
Enter or review their own bookkeeping
-
Have QuickBooks but aren’t sure what they should be checking
-
Want to better understand how the different areas of QuickBooks work together
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Want cleaner, more organized books throughout the year
No prior accounting or QuickBooks experience is required.
What You’ll Walk Away With
A better understanding of how QuickBooks is organized, how to use its primary features, what you should be reviewing regularly, and when it may be time to ask your accountant or bookkeeper for help.
Lunch provided by:
Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm
Location: Urbandale Chamber of Commerce
Fee: $29 – includes lunch & class access (via Chamber)
Space is limited—reserve your seat and learn how to lighten your load, inside and out.
Meet our presenter: April Pannell
April Pannell is the Founder and CEO of AKW Financial, bringing more than 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and business management. Before founding AKW Financial, she held senior leadership roles in accounting and finance, including Corporate Controller and Chief Financial Officer. Throughout her career, she has led financial operations, developed and executed financial strategy, and supported businesses through growth and change.
Through AKW Financial, April works with small business owners across industries including technology, healthcare, retail, construction, and manufacturing. She founded the firm to give business owners access to the financial expertise and support they need to better understand their numbers, strengthen their financial processes, and make confident decisions.
A graduate of American International College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, April graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as the Accounting Major Senior of the Year. Her experience working directly with businesses and their financial systems has given her a strong understanding of the challenges small business owners face and the tools that can make managing finances easier.
