Double-Entry Bookkeeping

What is the best way to do bookkeeping? Here is my story. In the early nineties, I started bookkeeping for my small business and for my private household with paper, pen and pocket calculator. After twelve months of collecting journal entries, I needed eight hours to calculate my balance sheet and my profit and loss statement. Technically, I succeeded with spreadsheets, but in the long run that wouldn't be an option for me, so the spreadsheets never went productive. Instead, I developed a database with built-in forms, which worked well. In the late nineties, when the World Wide Web was just invented, I went on creating an online Enterprise Resource Planning solution (SaaS), which was by far too early for the market. The next step was a step backward. A database with two tables and two SQL scripts to calculate balance sheets and profit and loss statements. A raw technical solution without a user interface, which later became the basis for this smartphone app. Balance sheets and profit and loss statements get calculated in less than a second. It takes two minutes per week to get my personal bookkeeping done. That's two hours per year. So this is it and I share it with you. A selection of the features - Distraction-free user interface with simple workflows - Simplifications for recurring journal entries - All user entries can be updated - Automatic balance transfer between calendar years - Budgeting without additional data input - Backup and restore on app level - Multi-client capability Last but not least: You can export your data as a JSON file, hash it using standard software and store it in an audit-proof manner. Some words about privacy. The philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804) demanded with his categorical imperative:  "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." The app is no trick to get your personal data. The app is software. The app respects your privacy. The app serves the sole purpose of being useful with the functionality you see in the user interface. The app does not prompt you to accept cookies or to sign in. The app stores your data on your own device and does not connect to external systems. The app was developed exclusively with native iOS technologies and not with risky third-party software. The app does not contain any advertising and there are no limits, no subscriptions or in-app purchases. The app is updated regularly.