[comp.sys.handhelds] Accounting for HP-28s

skankman@ux1.lbl.gov (David Schurig) (03/16/90)

     I have written an accounting program for the HP-28s, and if enough people 
are interested in using it I may be persuaded to post it with instructions and 
comments to the net. I had originally intended it for my personal use only, but
after wasting quite a bit of time developing it I thought I might as well see 
if others are interested.
     The program requires knowledge of, and adheres to general accepted 
accounting principles. I have implemented the following aspects of accounting 
procedures:

General Journal
-enter transactions
-view previously entered transactions
-delete previously entered transactions
-automatically generate closing entry transactions
-print journal

General Ledger
-asset, liability, equity, revenue and expense accounts
-check balance of account
-insert account
-delete account

Account Alarms ( signals user if account exceeds or drops below limit )
-set account alarm
-unset account alarm
-check account alarm


     Some features of the program are as follows:

-A hierarchy of menus are used to access various aspects of the program.

-Account names are only entered when created. When account names need to be 
entered a menu of appropriate account names is displayed.

-Transactions are built on the stack, thus edit may be used to correct lengthy 
transactions, and stack operations may be used to calculate entries.

-Account balance requests return amount to the stack for further calculations.

-Transactions are thoroughly checked and only balanced and correct transactions
are posted.

-User input is requested in a consistent manner in all parts of the program.

-Only one function and one subdirectory appear in home directory . The other 
~90 functions are hidden to prevent clutter.


     The program uses ~7 Kbytes for code.  The memory used for data depends
heavily on how many accounts are maintained, and how many transactions  are 
entered between dumps to an output device.

     I have used the program to chart 50 to 60 accounts without non-human 
error for over a year now.  A handheld is definitely the only way to go for 
personal finance. I find it very convenient to be able to enter transactions 
as I make them, thus my account balances are always up to date. I never worry 
about bounced checks or being rejected  for a credit purchase, since I simply 
check the relevant account blances prior to purchase or rely on the the 
account alarms to inform me if the balances have reached too low or high a 
level.  I have also found it not inconvenient to track my spending in many 
different areas.

     Interested?  email me at skankman@ux1.lbl.gov.


David Schurig
Lawrence Berkeley Lab 
1 Cyclotron Rd.  MS 110A
Berkeley, CA 94720