The Complete Handbook of Checks
The practical reference for professionals, businesses, and serious hobbyists who write, process, or manage checks.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The complete, practical guide to selecting, using, and troubleshooting checks—no fluff, just usable knowledge.
About this book
Checks are a durable piece of financial infrastructure that most people only half-understand. This handbook replaces guesswork with a structured, practical education. It covers the physical specifications of check paper and toner, deciphers the meaning of MICR lines and security features, and clarifies the legal obligations of the drawer and the payee. You'll learn how to choose between basic, business, and high-security check stock, and how to set up a new check run without making costly errors.
Beyond the basics, the book addresses the daily realities of handling checks: how to endorse them correctly, how to avoid the most common deposit problems, and what to do when a check is returned or lost. It also explains the evolving role of checks in an increasingly digital payment world, including the impact of remote deposit capture and image exchange.
For the entrepreneurially minded, a dedicated chapter maps out concrete business opportunities—retail arbitrage, check verification services, and private-label printing—along with the operational realities of each. Whether you're a part-time bookkeeper, a staff accountant, or a collector, this handbook gives you the definitive, vendor-neutral reference you've been missing.
Reader Reviews
Jeffrey Hernandez
★★★★★I've been a bookkeeper for twelve years and I still learned things. The chapter on MICR line placement and why it fails is the first time I've seen it explained clearly. Good, solid reference material. Only reason it's not 5 stars is that the section on check stock could have used a few more photos or diagrams, but the text is spot-on.
Jessica Carter
★★★★★It's well-written, I'll give it that. The clearing process is explained in a way that finally makes sense. But I was hoping for more on the actual business of reselling checks, which felt a little thin in the chapter on suppliers. For a book that promises business opportunities, I expected real steps, not just a general overview. Still, it's a decent primer for the basics.
Michael Brown
★★★★★Used this to completely redo how our office orders checks. The comparison between basic and high-security stock actually stopped me from buying the wrong thing. The glossary in the back is handy for breaking down legalese from the bank. Minor gripe is the future trends chapter felt a bit speculative for a reference, but overall a strong, practical book.
Timothy Taylor
★★★★★As a hobbyist collector, I was really interested in the types and specifications chapter, and it didn't disappoint. But I found the writing a bit dry in the maintenance sections, almost like a repair manual. It's thorough, but I found myself skimming. It's a solid reference, still, and I'll keep it on my shelf for the specifications alone.
Betty Rodriguez
★★★★★Finally, a reference that doesn't talk down to you. I manage a small nonprofit and we handle a lot of checks. The simple breakdown of endorsements and mobile deposit pitfalls saved us from a few bounced checks. The chapters on security features and the business opportunities section were a nice bonus I didn't expect. This is going to be my go-to gift for other office managers.