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1993-12-22
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BANK EXPERT
ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
FOR WINDOWS
Version 2.2
by:
George R. Cotten
37 Lawrence Lane
Lexington, MA 02173
1
BankExpert ACCOUNTING PROGRAM
This program is being distributed under the shareware concept.
The program and this manual are the copyrighted property of the author.
You are granted a limited license to try the program for one month, to
copy it and distribute it, provided that:
a) You do not charge a fee for the distribution or copying of
the program unless you have the prior written consent of the author,
b) It is distributed only in its original, unmodified, compiled
form (except that it may be compressed using an archiving facility, as
long as the program can be uncompressed only back to its original form),
c) This documentation file accompanies the program itself, and
is also distributed in its original, unmodified form (or compressed - see
exception in item b above), and,
d) It is not distributed as part of any commercial product or
service without the prior written consent of the author.
After trying the program, if you decide to use it, please return
the license agreement/registration form, signed, along with the registration fee of
$20.00.
Registration entitles you to use the program on one computer or local
area network (LAN) at a time. LAN support is NOT provided. If used on a
network, it is at your own discretion. Site licenses are also available
for an additional fee as explained in the license agreement/registration
form. Registered users can obtain technical support and will be notified
about future revisions.
CAUTION!
──────────────
Although the program BankExpert may be useful for most investors, and the
author did his best to minimize bugs, he cannot underwrite everyone's investment
decisions or business use of this product. Before using this program you should
recognize that it involves a high level of complexity which is potentially susceptible
to error either in the program code itself or on your part due to incorrect usage.
Thus you should understand that you use and rely upon the results of BankExpert at
your own risk.
You should satisfy yourself regarding the adequacy and accuracy of
BankExpert with test examples before committing to using and relying upon the
program on a regular basis. You should furthermore review all program output for
reasonableness before using it to make investment decisions.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Files on the disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CHAPTER ONE Installation . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 4
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .4
Program Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 5
Initial menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Program's limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER TWO - Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Entering a transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Unpaid bills & auto. deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Balancing an account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Summary by budget groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Check printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CHAPTER THREE - Other features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3
--------------------
Files on the Disk:
--------------------
There are five program files on the distribution diskette:
INSTALL.EXE, MANUAL.DOC, BANKS.CFG, ACCOUNTS.DAT and
WBANKS.EXE. The program is self-installing. As you use the program, other files
will be created on your disk, such as:
ACCOUNTx.DAT and ACCOUNTx.LOG that contain a record of your
transaction in the individual accounts
UNPAIDx.DAT has the listing of all the credits/payments that you set to
occur periodically in a given account x
WBANKS.EXE is the actual program,
BANKS.CFG is the configuration file for the program
MANUAL.DOC is the instruction manual
----------------
Introduction
----------------
The program BankExpert automates the use of your checking accounts. It
maintains a record of all transactions, facilitates balancing the account versus the
bank's statement, permits printing of the checks on any standard form that you select
(inc. the standard checks supplied by your bank). It allows to record up to 10
separate accounts.
It provides the function "unpaid bills/deposits" to store yearly, monthly, or
one-time-only transactions and remind about them when they become due.
The programs allows setting up the budget categories for your income (up to
6) and expenses (up to 28), thus presenting an exact review of your income and
expenditures over a selected time period. Budget reports show how much was
spent/received in any user-defined budget area over any desired time period.
The printing of customized checks is facilitated by the setup routine in
which the user may define the exact position of each printed line. Thus there is no
need to purchase any special forms, use ones supplied by your bank.
You may try this demo for a limited time period. At the end of your trial,
you are invited to register and then you will receive a personalized copy of the
program, be given access to technical assistance and notified about future
improvements.
4
CHAPTER ONE Installation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please read the license agreement and warranty information found at the
end of this manual for more information regarding the use of the program.
-----------------
Installation
-----------------
To install the BankExpert on a hard disk, put the master disk into Drive A:
or Drive B: , move into that disk/directory and type the following:
INSTALL <ENTER>
This will initiate the installation process during which you will be given an
opportunity to select the drive and directory where you wish to store the program.
Alternatively, you may copy all the files to the desired directory on your hard disk,
change to that directory, and then type: INSTALL <ENTER>.
After you have installed the program in your computer, you are ready to
start the program. The first time that you use the program, you will go directly to
the "configuration menu" (see below).
NOTE: The installation program stores one file ( BANK.BAT ) in the root
directory of drive C: . This is done to facilitate the start up of the program from any
directory, since in most installations the root directory of drive C: is included in the
PATH statement.
In order to install the program's icon into the Window's Program Manager,
follow the following procedure:
1. Start Windows and maximize the Program Manager. Highlight the desired group
(eg. APPLICATIONS) by placing the mouse pointer anywhere within that
group's window and clicking the left mouse button once.
2. From the upper menu bar select "File", and from the drop-down menu select
"New". Click on "Program Item" and then on "OK".
3. In the "Description" field type: BankExpert. Press TAB button to move to the
next field. In the "Command Line" field type the complete path to, and the
program's name (eg. C:\CHECKS\WBANKS.EXE).
4. Click on "OK".
5
------------------------
Program configuration
------------------------
The program is started by simply issuing a command:
BANKS
or (if that produces an error) changing to the appropriate sub-directory (eg.
\CHECKS) and issuing the command WIN WBANKS, ie. type:
C:
cd \CHECKS
WIN WBANKS
NOTE: Windows (ver. 3.1 or above) must have been installed in the computer and
the PATH statement (in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file) must include the directory path
where Windows program is located. Consult Windows and/or DOS manual for
further information about PATH statement.
You can also start the program by clicking on its icon in the Program
Manager, if such icon was installed using the procedure described above.
At the first start-up of the program you will be asked to name your accounts
and budget groups, next you will be presented with the configuration routine which
includes the parameters for check printing and personal password. This routine can
be reached at any other time by clicking mouse on "Utilities" - "Program
configuration".
You must respond to all the questions presented on the screen, but you may
leave blank the field for the password. You can move between the fields using a
mouse, or the TAB key (it is better to use the TAB key). The password option is
active only in registered copies of the program. Please note that the password is case
sensitive, ie. "PASSWORD" is not the same as "password", or "PassworD" ! The
suggested parameters for check printing are displayed, you may change them to
accommodate the particular design of your check form. The parameters required for
check printing are row no. and column no. Both row and column numbers are
representing the half-units, so that on the average printer - the third printing line
would be described by row no. = 6, and so on. This permits a more precise
placement of the printed text. Always start by placing your blank check in precisely
the same location in the printer, eg. with the top edge just underneath the holding
bar.
6
During the initial configuration you will also be asked to name all your
accounts and budget categories. If you wish to keep the default selection, just press
<ENTER>, otherwise enter the new name and press <ENTER> . The budget
categories contain an additional switch: if it is set to - 1 - this category will be
counted towards the grand total, if it is - 0 - it will not. For instance, you might
have some expenses through a credit card charge and then you pay back to the
credit card company. Obviously the payments to the credit card company should not
be added in calculation of the overall sum of expenses for the period. Thus the
category "credit card payments" should get a switch of 0 . NOTE: If you wish to
summarize expenses/income between differing accounts, these accounts must have
identical budget categories (ie. identical names AND placed in the same order).
NOTE: Make a note of your password, since once this option has been
invoked, the program cannot be started without the correct password. If you
retained the original copy of the program (without the password invoked), in
emergency you may recover the data by copying the former FUNDS.CFG file into
your new directory and then starting the program anew.
When this procedure is completed, the initial screen will appear showing
that it is unregistered shareware version. Press <ENTER> to continue the program.
This screen is absent from the registered version of this program.
----------------
Initial Menu
----------------
Using the BankExpert is straightforward. To start the program type simply
type:
BANK <ENTER>
However, if this causes an error, change to the proper drive and the proper
sub-directory and issue the command WIN WBANKS. For example, if you installed
the program in the directory \CHECKS on disk drive C:, you would type the
following:
C:
CD \CHECKS
WIN WBANKS
Substitute your drive and directory in the above commands. Once you have followed
the steps above, the first screen will be displayed. The initial window that appears
after the user passes through the "Registration screen", contains at the top a menu
bar which presents the following options:
7
PROGRAM
Main Menu
Utilities
Tools
The inactivated menu choices will be "grayed" for easy identification. In order to
start the program you MUST click the mouse on the "PROGRAM", this will drop
the menu:
Portfolio #1
Portfolio #2
Portfolio #3
Exit this program
Exit Windows
You MUST click on the "Portfolio #1", to activate most of the other menu options.
If you wish to terminate the program, but remain under Windows - click on the
"Exit this program". The "Exit Windows" selection terminates the program and the
Windows operating system and brings back the DOS command line.
The option to set up the additional two individual portfolios (Portfolio #2
and Portfolio #3) is available only to the registered users only. NOTE: Portfolios #2
and 3 can use only the accounts that have already been selected for the Portfolio #1.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The program uses two windows to display information. In
the Main Window (background color - light blue) all selections are accomplished
using a mouse to point the selections and then clicking the left mouse button to
confirm it. In the Supplementary Window (background color - white) the mouse
does not operate and all selections must be made by entering the appropriate number
(or text) from the keyboard and pressing the <ENTER> key to complete the
transmission. In certain computers the Supplementary Window, when it first appears,
is inactive - ie. the cursor is not visible and the window's frame is grayed. Such
windows should be first activated by clicking the mouse while it is pointed
anywhere WITHIN the window area.
8
--------------------------
Program's limitations
--------------------------
The program requires IBM compatible computer, type 286 or higher. The
operating system should be MS-DOS version 3.1 or above, and include Windows
version 3.1 or higher.
The program will use a RAM drive for its work files, providing that such
drive is available and has a subdirectory \TEMP, or \TMP , in accordance with
specifications for Windows system. Consult DOS, or Windows, manuals for a further
description of RAM drives.
The data files are of "sequential" type. The data files can be accessed with
any editing program, but you are advised against making any corrections, or
changes, using an outside editor, since you may inadvertently destroy the usefulness
of such files.
9
CHAPTER TWO TRANSACTIONS
________________________________________________________
The BankExpert program will maintain the register of all transactions, print
checks and calculate their total for each budget category.
---------------------------------------
Entering a transaction
---------------------------------------
To start a transaction (ie. payment or deposit), select "Transactions" from the
"Main menu". A window will appear with three selection groups: disregard the first
selection group, marked as "for automatic transactions only". The second group
presents the following choice of transactions, where the column under "ACTION"
presents your choice, while the other three columns give the result of that
action:
ACTION ACCOUNT CHECK No. BUDGET
check debited increased debited
withdrawal debited no change debited
deposit credited no change credited
unpaid bill N/A N/A N/A
auto. deposit N/A N/A N/A
cash purchase no change no change debited
credit no change no change credited
The use of "unpaid bill" and "auto. deposit" will be explained separately.
The third group presents a choice of your accounts. Select one, and lastly
press the "OK" button.
The next window that will appear presents a check, or credit form to the left
and a list of all the budget groups on the right hand side. The check form will
automatically present the next check number and the current date. However you may
alter either one of these fields as needed. You should also fill the name of the payee,
or payer, the amount of the transaction and select the appropriate budget group.
Immediately below the check form is indicated the current balance on the account.
You are also given the option for immediate printing of this check.
The "split entry" option allows to combine two, or more items that are
charged to different budget groups but are paid/credited in a single transaction.
Select "start split entry" for the first item, and select "end split entry" for the last
item of such a group.
10
-----------------------------------
Unpaid bills and auto. deposits
-----------------------------------
The unpaid bills feature allows to enter a bill that needs to be paid, or a
deposit that is expected to be received, at some future date either at regular intervals
(monthly, yearly), or just once. You enter such bill/deposit by selecting
"Transactions" from the "Main menu" and choosing either "Unpaid bill" or "auto.
deposit" from the next display window. At that time you must also indicate the
frequency of that transaction by selecting the appropriate item within the group
marked "for automatic transactions only". To pay an "unpaid bill" simply follow the
instructions as they will appear on the screen.
Once such an item is recorded and becomes due, you will be reminded
whenever you start the Bank Expert. If it is a monthly, or yearly, occurrence - the
new date will be automatically updated after the payment/deposit was made.
----------------------------
Payments & deposits due
----------------------------
In order to obtain a listing of all deposits and payments due by a certain
date, select ""Payments & deposits due" from the "Main menu. After the listing is
displayed, you may choose to pay/credit all the individual items.
------------------------
Balancing an account
------------------------
In order to balance the account, ie to compare it with the bank statement,
select "Balancing account" from the "Main menu". On the first display you will be
asked to select the account. Once this has been completed you will be presented
with all outstanding items on that account. At this time you are permitted to correct
any of the entries displayed and you must respond to the question whether this item
was listed on the bank's statement.
Once the list of outstanding items is exhausted, the program displays the
current account's balance that should be reported by the bank and asks if you
"agree" with the result. If you agree, all the items that appeared on the bank
statement are marked as processed and will not appear when the account is balanced
next time.
----------------------------
Summary by budget groups
----------------------------
A summary of all income and expenses categorized by the budget groups
and limited to the selected period of time is obtained by choosing "Summary of
budget groups" from the "Main program". The first window that will appear asks to
state the time period and select all the accounts that should be summarized together.
NOTE : You can only select accounts that have identical budget groups (both:
named identically AND placed in the same order).
11
The "sum of designated credits" and "sum of designated expenses" includes
only the budget groups that have been given the switch value of 1 (for explanation
see the section about configuring the program).
-------------------
Check printing
-------------------
Checks can be printed on any bank form, however the program must be
instructed the exact position of the individual lines, ie. date, payee, amount of
payment (numerical, and text), and any comments. Note that the program will
convert automatically the numerical amount of payment into the text.
For consistent results, the check form must be always inserted in EXACTLY
the same location in the printer. For instance, in matrix type printers you may align
the top edge of the form with the holding bar. It is necessary to make a number of
trial runs to determine the needed configuration for the check. The initial trials could
be made with a plane sheet of paper, and the actual checks be used for only the final
adjustments. Note that both row and column numbers are roughly in half units, ie for
instance a third printing line would have a row no. of 6. The check configuration is
reached by selecting "Utilities" and "Program configuration" next.
You may print each check as it is recorded, by selecting "print check" on the
check form (see above). Alternatively, select "Check printing" from the "Main menu.
A list of checks will appear and you will be asked for the number of the check to be
printed.
12
CHAPTER THREE OTHER FEATURES
_______________________________________________________________
---------------------
Change check no.
---------------------
A special routine is provided to change the number of the NEXT check. To
access it, select "Change check no." from the "Tools" menu and follow instructions
on the screen.
----------------------
Editing of records
----------------------
The records in both the check register and the register of "unpaid"
bills/deposits can be readily edited by accessing them through "Edit records" from
the "Tools" menu.
The program will list all the selected records and ask which one to change.
Next, that record will be displayed and any of the fields on it can be altered at that
time.
--------------
Printing
--------------
In order to print any of the displays, first select "Print on" from "Printing"
menu item in the "Tools" menu. The selection will stay active until cancelled and
will print any listings, as they are displayed on the screen.
NOTE: At this time this feature is only for the "Budget summary" selection.
13
LICENSE AGREEMENT
-----------------------------------------
The use of the BankExpert program is granted under the following terms:
1) You may make copies of the program and documentation in their
original, unmodified, form without restriction. You may make copies of the
documentation either in its printed or machine readable form without restriction. If
these copies are distributed to others outside of your organization, you have no
obligation to control the use of those copies; however, any copies made which are
distributed within your organization are restricted to the terms of this license
agreement.
2) You may not modify the program or its documentation or charge a
fee for copying or distributing the program or its documentation.
3) You may use the BankExpert program on the number of computers
for which you have paid the license fee. If the fee has been paid for a site license,
you may use the program on as many computers as are located at that site; however,
you may not use the program on any computer not located at that site without
paying an additional licensing fee.
I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of this license.
______________________________ _____________________
Signature Date
14
LIMITED WARRANTY
_________________________________
The author warrants to any licensee that acquires the program from him
that:
1) All diskettes the author provides to licensee constitute an accurate
duplication of the software and manual. The author will replace any diskette found
to be defective within 30 days from the date of acquisition. The author withholds
the right to not honor this warranty if the diskette has been subjected to physical
abuse, or used in defective or incompatible equipment.
2) The BankExpert program will perform substantially as described in the
documentation accompanying the software, if used as directed in such
documentation.
3) This warranty specifically limits any remedy to the replacement of the
physical diskette and documentation if these were originally acquired directly from
the author. It shall not cover any other damages including, but not limited to: loss
of profit, commercial damage, or other special, consequential or similar claims. The
BankExpert program is sold without warranty as to its merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose.
4) The author makes no warranty that its software is error free nor that its
use by the licensee will be uninterrupted.
5) It is necessary to complete and return the registration card and pay the
license fee to implement this warranty and to receive customer support.