Scenario 1 - Users starting files for personal or business use where there is ZERO PRIOR DATA for the person or business. All accounts were just opened and you will be entering all data from the account opening date (referred to as t=0) . As soon as you complete the few steps for entering ZERO VALUE opening Balances, you will move on to the Standard Use process.
Scenario 2 - Users starting files for personal or business use where there is FULL, KNOWN HISTORY related to their account, and they are going to BRING IN ALL OF THAT HISTORY into their new file. This requires the exact same Starting Balance work as Scenario 1. After that this user will need to do some bulk importing work and preliminary reconciliation work prior to moving on with the Standard Use process.
Scenario 3 - Users starting files for personal or business use where there is FULL or PARTIAL DATA HISTORY related to their accounts, BUT they are only going to BRING IN A PORTION OF IT, by choice or by limitation. This scenario is the only scenario that offers an opportunity to experience the accounting machinations for "money fabricated from thin air" and an introduction to the applied use of the "ZAP Special" Account type detailed below.
Option 1 (Multiple Data Start Dates) - With this option you will start the record keeping for each Account with a Start Date that aligns with one of the Bank Statements for each account. This is the easier of the two options, but it may create a unique situation related to transfers where money will need to "vaporize" via our ZAP Special Account Type too..
Option 2 (A singular Data Start Date) - With this option you will start the record keeping for each account at a singular, arbitrary date that may not align with a start date for any of the Bank Statements. This is the more complex option as each account will need some "scratch work" done to calculate opening balances. This option was previously chosen by many because it excludes the necessity to "vaporize" money, which was more confusing until we added the "ZAP Special" Account type.