Cuyahoga Community College
ZPDI1807 - Small Business Bookkeeping Made Simple with Wave Software
Course Description
This hands-on, beginner-friendly course is designed for entrepreneurs who want clarity, confidence and control over their business finances. It is a four-part course where entrepreneurs will learn how to properly set up and use Wave Accounting to track income and expenses, manage bank transactions, reconcile accounts and generate essential financial reports. Through live demonstrations, guided practice and real-world examples, entrepreneurs will build a solid bookkeeping system they can maintain month after month. By the end of the course, entrepreneurs will not only understand how to use Wave Accounting, but also why their financial data matters, empowering them to make smarter business decisions and prepare for taxes. This course is ideal for service-based and product-based business owners who are ready to move from “winging it” to running their finances with intention and confidence.
Learner Outcomes
Upon completion, entrepreneurs will be able to:
- Set up a Wave Accounting account correctly for their business
- Understand basic accounting concepts and how they apply to everyday business activity
- Build and customize a chart of accounts tailored to their business model
- Connect business bank accounts and manage imported transactions
- Accurately categorize income and expenses using best practices
- Upload, attach and organize receipts for bookkeeping clarity
- Perform monthly bank reconciliations to ensure accurate financial records
- Navigate and interpret Wave’s dashboard for day-to-day financial insights
- Run and understand key financial reports, including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow statements
- Use financial data to set goals, identify problem areas, and plan for taxes and growth
- Establish a consistent monthly bookkeeping routine that supports long-term business success