[GNC] Tracking UnPaid Bills

[Michael or Penny Novack]

On 3/19/2025 5:17 PM, flywire wrote:
>> So how do you propose actually tracking unpaid bills? Recording a
>> transaction doesn't do it. It would normally involve specific reports run
>> frequently enough to manage payments due.
>>
> Hmm, no mention of any specific reports to understand what is in the
> liability account.

Sorry if I do not understand.

Assume a liability account for each account with a utility (gas, 
electric, water, etc.) They could all be children of a placeholder 
"utility accounts"

Now WHAT is your question?

1)  What is the total that is currently outstanding on all utility 
accounts?  << just look at it >>

2) What is the balance outstanding on utility X? << just look at it >>

3) What is the payments history on utility X? << transaction report on 
this account -- but usually interested in recent history so just look at 
the last several transaction >>

If it is something else you are wanting to see, explain what that is, 
because I can't tell you what report without knowing that.

Please note that there is no magic involved DOING "accrual basis" using 
gnucash without the built in "business features". We old timers from the 
days of pen and ink on paper used to do both "cash basis" and "accrual 
basis" accounting. Especially in a case like this where books are "cash 
basis", no need for invoicing, but a couple of "open" accounts with a 
vendor (like a utility company) you can MANUALLY enter those 
transactions "accrual basis". IF/F a business on "cash basis" might want 
at year end to check these accounts for an early payment and adjust what 
year the expense. But see the PS.

Michael D Novack

PS --- I have a question for gnucash folks using the business features. 
How do you treat (what date do you use) incoming bills that are NOT "due 
upon receipt" but instead "due at some future date"? And what happens if 
you pay tat bill before that date?