QuickBooks Accountant is a powerful software solution designed specifically for accountants and bookkeepers. It provides a comprehensive set of tools and features that simplify the process of managing multiple client accounts and streamlining financial tasks. In this article, we will explore how QuickBooks Accountant works and how it can benefit accounting professionals and businesses.
What are the features of QuickBooks Accountant?
Multi-client management
One of the key features of QuickBooks Accountant is its ability to manage multiple client accounts within a single software interface. Accountants can easily switch between different client files, view the status of each client’s financials, and access client-specific data and reports.
Accountant Toolbox
QuickBooks Accountant provides an accountant toolbox that includes a range of specialized tools and features to assist in managing client accounts. This toolbox includes features such as batch entry, which allows accountants to enter transactions in bulk, saving time and effort.
Batch transaction processing
Setting up QuickBooks Accountant
To get started with QuickBooks Accountants, accountants need to install the software on their computer or access it through a cloud-based platform. The installation process is straightforward and guided, ensuring a seamless setup experience. Once installed, accountants can create a new company file for each client they work with.
Navigating QuickBooks Accountant
QuickBooks Accountant has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and access various features. The dashboard provides an overview of the accountant’s activities, including client lists, notifications, and reminders. The main menu offers quick access to essential tools, such as banking, sales, expenses, and reports.
What should a client account manager do?
QuickBooks Accountant allows accountants to add and manage client accounts efficiently. Accountants can easily add new clients to their database, import client data from other sources, or collaborate with existing QuickBooks users. Each client has a dedicated dashboard where accountants can access client-specific information and perform tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation.
How do I use the QuickBooks Online accountant toolbox?
To use the QuickBooks Online Accountant Toolbox, follow these steps:
Log in to your QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA) account at accountant.intuit.com using your login credentials.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken to the Accountant Dashboard. In the left navigation menu, click on “Toolbox.”
In the Toolbox, you’ll find various tools and features designed specifically for accountants. Here are some key features you can access:
Client Dashboard: This allows you to view all your clients and access their QuickBooks Online company files in one place. You can click on a client’s name to open their file and perform various accounting tasks.
Accountant Tools: This section provides access to tools that can help you efficiently manage your clients’ books. Some of the tools available include “Reclassify Transactions,” “Fix Unapplied Customer Payments and Credits,” “Merge Vendors,” “Write off Invoices,” and more.
Accountant Reports: This feature provides a range of pre-built reports specifically designed for accountants. You can access reports such as “Trial Balance,” “General Ledger,” “Profit and Loss by Class,” and others. These reports can help you analyze your client’s financial data.
ProAdvisor Benefits: If you are a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, this section provides access to additional benefits and resources available exclusively to ProAdvisors. You can access training materials, certification exams, marketing resources, and more.
Workpapers: This tool allows you to request and organize supporting documents from your clients. You can create new work papers, assign them to clients, and collaborate with your clients on document collection and preparation.
Accountant Toolbox Apps: This section provides access to various third-party apps that integrate with QuickBooks Online and can enhance your accounting workflow. You can explore and install apps that suit your needs. To use any specific tool or feature, simply click on the relevant option within the Toolbox. Each tool will have its own interface and instructions, guiding you on how to perform specific tasks.
Customer collaboration: what it is & why you should do it
Customer collaboration refers to actively involving and engaging customers in the development, improvement, and decision-making processes of a product or service. It goes beyond traditional customer feedback and incorporates customers as valuable contributors to the overall business strategy and product/service development.
Here are a few reasons why customer collaboration is beneficial:
Enhanced customer satisfaction: By involving customers in the development process, you gain valuable insights into their needs, preferences, and pain points. This enables you to create products and services that better meet their expectations, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
Improved product/service quality: Customer collaboration allows you to gather feedback early on and incorporate it into the product or service design. By involving customers in testing and iteration processes, you can identify and rectify any issues or shortcomings, leading to a higher-quality offering.
Increased customer loyalty: When customers feel valued and have a sense of ownership in the products or services they use, they are more likely to develop loyalty and advocate for your brand. Collaborative relationships foster stronger connections with customers, leading to long-term loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
Market insights and innovation: Customer collaboration provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of market trends, emerging needs, and customer behavior. By involving customers in brainstorming sessions or co-creation activities, you can tap into their creativity and generate innovative ideas that may not have been identified internally.
Early adoption and market validation: Engaging customers in the development process allows you to identify early adopters who are eager to try new products or services. These early adopters can provide valuable feedback and act as ambassadors, helping to validate and promote your offering within their networks.
Competitive advantage: Customer collaboration can differentiate your business from competitors by demonstrating your commitment to customer-centricity. It shows that you value customer input, and this transparency and responsiveness can give you an edge over competitors who are less engaged with their customers.
Co-creation of value: Collaborating with customers allows you to create a mutually beneficial relationship. Customers feel empowered and valued when their input is considered, and they can co-create value with your business. This can lead to long-term partnerships and a shared sense of success.
To foster effective customer collaboration, consider implementing strategies such as customer feedback surveys, focus groups, advisory boards, beta testing programs, online communities, and regular communication channels. By actively involving customers throughout the product or service lifecycle, you can build stronger relationships, improve your offerings, and drive business growth.
How often should I review my new clients?
The frequency of reviewing your new clients can vary depending on several factors, including the size of your client base, the complexity of their financial situations, and your capacity as an accountant or bookkeeper. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
Initial review: Conduct a thorough review of new clients when they onboard to gather essential information about their business, financials, and accounting practices. This review helps you understand their unique needs and challenges, allowing you to set the right expectations and establish a solid foundation for your working relationship.
Regular review: It is generally recommended to review your clients’ accounts on a regular basis, such as quarterly or semi-annually. This review can help identify any potential errors, inconsistencies, or red flags in their financial records. Regular reviews also ensure that you stay updated with your client’s financial situation and can provide timely advice or make necessary adjustments.
Significant events or changes: Review your clients’ accounts whenever significant events or changes occur in their business. This includes changes in ownership, major expansions or contractions, new product or service launches, mergers or acquisitions, or any other event that may impact their financials. Prompt reviews during such events allow you to assess the impact and provide appropriate guidance.
Periodic deep dive: Consider conducting a more in-depth review of your client’s accounts annually or as needed. This comprehensive review involves analyzing key financial statements, assessing financial ratios, identifying trends, and benchmarking their performance against industry standards or previous periods. This deep dive review helps you provide valuable insights, and strategic advice, and identify areas for improvement.
Trigger-based reviews: Implement trigger-based reviews for specific situations. For example, if a client consistently misses their tax deadlines or experiences cash flow issues, it may warrant a more frequent review to address the underlying problems promptly. Similarly, if a client implements new accounting software or undergoes a significant change in their business operations, you may need to conduct a focused review to ensure a smooth transition.
What is the QuickBooks Essentials plan?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, QuickBooks offers different subscription plans, including QuickBooks Essentials. However, please note that QuickBooks regularly updates its offerings, so it’s essential to visit the QuickBooks website or contact their customer support for the most up-to-date information. Here is a description of QuickBooks Essentials based on the information available as of September 2021:
QuickBooks Essentials is an online accounting software plan designed for small businesses. It provides essential features to manage your business finances effectively. Here are some key features typically associated with QuickBooks Essentials:
Expense tracking: You can connect your bank accounts and credit cards to automatically import and categorize transactions. This helps you track your business expenses accurately and efficiently.
Invoicing and payments: QuickBooks Essentials allows you to create customized invoices and send them to your customers directly from the software. You can also accept online payments, making it convenient for your customers to pay you.
Bill management: You can easily enter and track bills from vendors and suppliers. QuickBooks Essentials enables you to schedule and automate recurring bills, making it simpler to manage your payables.
Financial reporting: The software provides various financial reports that give you insights into your business’s financial health. You can access reports such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
Sales tax tracking: QuickBooks Essentials helps you track and calculate sales tax owed on your sales. This feature can be particularly useful if your business is required to collect and remit sales tax.
Integration with third-party apps: QuickBooks Essentials allows integration with a range of third-party applications, expanding its functionality and enabling you to connect with other business tools you may be using.
How do I file a tax return?
Filing a tax return involves reporting your income, deductions, and tax liabilities to the relevant tax authority. The process can vary depending on your country and the specific tax regulations in place. Here is a general guide to help you understand the steps involved in filing a tax return:
Gather necessary documents: Collect all the required documents, including your income statements (e.g., W-2 forms, 1099 forms, or self-employment income records), expense receipts, investment statements, and any other relevant financial records.
Choose the appropriate tax form: Determine the correct tax form to use based on your personal or business situation. In the United States, for example, individuals typically use Form 1040 or one of its variants (such as 1040A or 1040EZ) to file their federal tax returns.
Calculate your income: Calculate your total income for the tax year. This includes wages, salary, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, and any other sources of income.
Determine deductions and credits: Identify eligible deductions and tax credits that you can claim. These may include expenses related to education, homeownership, medical expenses, charitable contributions, or business expenses, among others. Be sure to consult the tax laws and regulations applicable to your situation to understand which deductions and credits you qualify for.
Complete the tax form: Fill out the tax form accurately and completely, providing the required information. Enter your income, deductions, and credits in the appropriate sections of the form. Double-check all the entries to ensure accuracy.
Calculate your tax liability: Calculate your tax liability by applying the applicable tax rates to your taxable income. If you have already had taxes withheld from your income, subtract any applicable tax credits. The resulting amount will be your final tax liability or the amount you are owed as a refund.
Choose your filing method: Decide whether you will file your tax return electronically or by mail. Electronic filing is generally faster and more convenient, and it may also offer features that help reduce errors.
Submit your tax return: If you’re filing electronically, submit your tax return through the designated online platform or software. If you’re filing by mail, print out the completed tax forms, attach any required supporting documents, and send them to the appropriate tax authority’s address.
Pay any taxes owed: If you have a tax liability and owe taxes, make the payment by the tax filing deadline. Various payment options are typically available, such as online payment, check, or money order. If you can’t pay the full amount owed, consider exploring payment plans or requesting an extension.
Keep copies for your records: Make copies of your completed tax return, including all supporting documents, for your personal records. These records are important for future reference and may be necessary for audits or any future inquiries.
Preparing reports and tax filings
QuickBooks Accountant simplifies the process of generating financial reports and preparing tax filings. Accountants can customize reports to meet specific client requirements and generate them with a few clicks. The software also offers tax preparation tools, including tax forms and calculations, which help accountants streamline the tax filing process for their clients.
What are the Quickbook Advanced features and integrations?
QuickBooks Accountant offers advanced features and integrations that further enhance its capabilities. Accountants can take advantage of advanced reporting options, such as creating custom financial statements and graphs, to provide in-depth insights to their clients. The software also integrates with other applications, such as payroll systems and inventory management tools, to streamline data flow and enhance efficiency.
What is Data security and backup?
Data security is crucial when dealing with financial information. QuickBooks Accountant prioritizes data security by providing various options for data backup and protection. Accountants can schedule automatic backups of client files, store data in encrypted formats, and set user permissions to control access levels. These measures ensure that client data remains secure and protected.
Where can I get QuickBooks Accountant support and resources?
QuickBooks Accountant offers comprehensive support and resources to help accountants make the most of the software. The help center provides step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and frequently asked questions to assist users in troubleshooting issues. Additionally, accountants can join online forums and communities to connect with other professionals, share insights, and gain valuable knowledge.
How to add an accountant in QuickBooks?
To add an accountant to your QuickBooks Online account, follow these steps:
Log in to your QuickBooks Online account: Go to the QuickBooks Online login page (qbo.intuit.com) and enter your login credentials to access your account.
Access the Manage Users page: Once you’re logged in, click on the “Settings” (gear) icon in the top-right corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select “Manage Users” under the “Your Company” section. This will take you to the Manage Users page.
Invite an accountant: On the Manage Users page, click the “Accounting firms” or “Accountants” tab, depending on the version of QuickBooks Online you are using.
Click on “Invite Accountant”: Look for the “Invite Accountant” button or a similar option on the Accounting Firms or Accountants tab and click on it.
Enter the accountant’s email address: In the invitation window that appears, enter the email address of the accountant you want to invite to access your QuickBooks Online account.
Select the accountant’s access rights: Choose the level of access you want to grant to the accountant. QuickBooks Online provides three levels of access for accountants: “Company administrator,” “Accountant,” and “Reports only.” Select the appropriate level based on the accountant’s role and the level of access they require.
Click on “Invite”: After entering the accountant’s email address and selecting their access rights, click the “Invite” or similar button to send the invitation.
Accountant accepts the invitation: The accountant will receive an email invitation to access your QuickBooks Online account. They need to follow the instructions in the email to accept the invitation and set up their own login credentials.
Once the accountant accepts the invitation, they will be added to your QuickBooks Online account as a user with the specified access rights. They will then be able to log in to your account and access the necessary features and data to provide accounting services.
How do I contact Intuit customer support?
To contact Intuit customer support, you can use the following methods:
Phone support: Intuit offers phone support for its various products and services. The specific phone numbers may vary depending on your location and the product you need assistance with. Visit the Intuit website and navigate to the support section to find the appropriate phone number for your region and product.
Live chat support: Some Intuit products provide live chat support as an option. Visit the Intuit website and look for the support section to see if live chat support is available for the specific product you are using.
Community and online forums: Intuit maintains an active community and online forums where you can find answers to common questions, engage with other users, and seek help from Intuit experts. You can access the community and forums through the Intuit website or by searching for the specific product’s community.
Social media: Intuit has a presence on various social media platforms. You can try reaching out to Intuit customer support through their official social media channels by sending a direct message or posting your query on their public profiles.
Help articles and knowledge base: Intuit provides extensive help articles and a knowledge base for its products and services. Visit the Intuit website and search for the specific product’s support section to access these resources. You can often find step-by-step guides, troubleshooting instructions, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) that may help you resolve your issue.
Email support: While direct email support may not be available for all Intuit products, you can typically find email contact forms or submission options on the Intuit support website. Fill out the form with your inquiry or issue, and the Intuit support team will respond via email.
