@ jmf

ROFL - and here is my way to do it

in the chart of accounts create the following
fixed asset van
fixed asset sub account name accumulated depreciation van
long term liability account named van-loan

On the sale document you have several summary numbers
total sales price, amount financed

Since you wrote two checks we have to do part of this twice
enter the check for 1K and use the fixed asset van account as the expense for the check

use write checks again, on the expense tab
line 1 -  fixed asset van account, enter the total amount less 1K (the amount you already entered)
line 2 - select the long term liability account van, enter the total amount financed as a negative number

the check should now equal the 9K you paid, save

done

You need, need to enter the annual depreciation your tax guy calculates, or your P&L will not support your income tax return.  And keep in mind, stuff happens, his file for your taxes and those calculations can be corrupted, or any other number of things.  Your financial records, are just that yours, and an audit comes to you, not your accountant, assuming you have the same accountant years down the road when an audit happens