A data file is the name given to the large compartment that is used for storing all accounts, transactions, reports, budgets and other information associated with a particular business.

 

Most users of MISTRO Finance 5 will have only one business – the farm – and will therefore only need to create one data file. If you have more than one business, you can create a separate data file for each business, but you will only be able to have one file open at any one time.

 

Note: Each business (such as the farm) can involve more than one enterprise (such as dairying, vealer production, hay-contracting etc.) and several accounts (such as bank accounts and loan accounts). Separate data files are not required for each enterprise or each account.

 

If you do need to set a up a new set of books, you need to choose File, then click New.  This will launch the New Books wizard.  The first screen you will see will be the Selection screen.

 

On this screen you can choose to Import data from an old version of MISTRO Finance, or Copy data from your current file.  You can also choose which data from your current file you wish to copy.  For most users when setting up a new set of books, you should choose to copy data from your current file, and choose at least your Categories and Accountant Groups.  This will ensure that the full list of both of these sections is copied.  If you choose not to either Import data from old version, or Copy data from the current file then you will end up with a completely blank set of new books containing no categories or accountant groups.

 

Once you have made your selection on this screen you are then presented with the help prompt.  If you require help setting up your new books click OK.

 

 

After selecting OK you will see a number of screens which you should work through in order, answering the questions as you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Accounts screen, the only information that you must enter are the sections in bold type – Account code, Type of account and Opening balance.

 

 

 

Once you have completed this process, you will have your new set of files, ready for you to add transactions to.