whats the best book keeping tools

Hire an accountant!

 

I use a simple spread sheet I made using Excel to keep track of my miles for IFTA, you can use a notebook too. I don't have a fax machine, in the truck or at the house, everything is done by email. If a shipper or broker can't do email then I'm not doing business with them, haven't had anyone that doesn't use email though. Fax machines are old crappy technology, I'm surprised that anyone still uses them.

 

Hire an accountant. I use ATBS in Colorado. They work with 1 man shows and will treat you like you a customer, they way it should be when you pay for services. I tried to manage my entire business from the front seat of the truck and decided to part ways with the money instead of doing everything on my own.

Today I no longer run my own numbers, I'm leased on with a carrier. For 25% of the load, I'm glad to have someone I can call 8 am to 5 pm. I'm not on the road much outside those hours anyway, usually parked before 6pm and cooking dinner in the sleeper, watching the evening news.
I'd rather pay someone 25% of the load and only take freight over X Dollars and cents per mile than have the headaches. It's also comforting to know I don't have to worry about getting freight direct, I let the company book the freight and offer it to us contractors. Also nice to FINALLY be at a point in my career where I can sit for months if i want. I got on a great finance plan when I bought this truck:ONE payment, zero percent interest and never another payment due. Now THAT's stress free trucking.

 

Quick books and an accountant

 

I used rigbooks for bookkeeping and hire a cpa for taxes.

 

I also use Rigbooks, no complaints with it.

 

Keep track of your own numbers with a spreed sheet or some other means down to the penny.

That way you can verify your accountants numbers, just because he's a professional doesn't guarantee quality work