QBOA -- It time to make the move.
April 29, 2015
QBOA -- It time to make the move.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
Online Accountant
Overall Satisfaction with QuickBooks Online
I have been using the desktop version of QuickBooks for several years now for both tracking my own company's books as well as those of my clients. I did not make the move to the online version when it was first introduced due to the fact it did not have the ability to scan documents and attach the scanned documents to transactions. Once Intuit added this functionality, although limited as compared to the desktop version, I decided to make the move for my company's books. I have converted another company from the desktop version, which I used primarily for write-up, to the online version to move the relationship from just write-up work to a more interactive outsourced CFO type of service. The ability to interact/communicate with an audit trail regarding a specific transaction is wonderful.
I am using some apps -- Tsheets and Zen Payroll. While both of them get the job done with QBO there is still some work to be done in order for the apps to be what I would call truly integrated. For example, when I run a payroll in Zen the transaction is sent to QBO. It is a split transaction with on line showing the gross wages and the other for employer taxes which is fine for my purposes. However, when the transaction clears the bank and QBO imports the transaction, the Zen payroll transaction is actually two transactions -- one for the net wages to the employee and the other for the combination of employee and employer taxes. QBO cannot make the match between the bank transactions and the transaction sent directly by Zen to QBO. I am sure this issue will be worked out in the near future.
There other issue I am trying to overcome is the lack of a more robust document management system. While you can scan documents into QBO and attach them to some transactions, there is no folder structure and you cannot attach documents to all transactions -- a good example would be a bank statement. I would like the ability to download the bank statement into QBO (which can be done) and once the bank reconciliation is complete attach the statement to that 'transaction' and have it not show as an 'unattached' document or at least have the ability to put it into a separate bank statement folder for later reference.
I am using some apps -- Tsheets and Zen Payroll. While both of them get the job done with QBO there is still some work to be done in order for the apps to be what I would call truly integrated. For example, when I run a payroll in Zen the transaction is sent to QBO. It is a split transaction with on line showing the gross wages and the other for employer taxes which is fine for my purposes. However, when the transaction clears the bank and QBO imports the transaction, the Zen payroll transaction is actually two transactions -- one for the net wages to the employee and the other for the combination of employee and employer taxes. QBO cannot make the match between the bank transactions and the transaction sent directly by Zen to QBO. I am sure this issue will be worked out in the near future.
There other issue I am trying to overcome is the lack of a more robust document management system. While you can scan documents into QBO and attach them to some transactions, there is no folder structure and you cannot attach documents to all transactions -- a good example would be a bank statement. I would like the ability to download the bank statement into QBO (which can be done) and once the bank reconciliation is complete attach the statement to that 'transaction' and have it not show as an 'unattached' document or at least have the ability to put it into a separate bank statement folder for later reference.
- Ability for me to interact/communicate with a client regarding a specific transaction with a full audit trail.
- Ability to connect with several accounts (Square, PayPal, bank and credit card) electronically so we have the most up to date transactions and balances.
- Ability for both my client and me as the accountant to be working in the company's books at the same time.
- It needs a more robust document management system with the ability to attach documents to more types of transactions.
- Expanded ability to create more custom reports.
- It needs to add an online POS system to its mix of products so clients currently using the desktop version of QB and QB POS can make a smoother transition to the cloud.
- Employee efficiency -- we are reviewing clients books everyday versus a set periods such as weekly or end of the month. If we have questions regarding the transaction we can ask the question usually the following day when it is free in the business owners mine rather than several days later.
- We can move from being the recorder of transactions into a more consultative role of helping our clients understand their finances better and sooner.
QuickBooks Online Feature Ratings
Using QuickBooks Online
3 - Accounting and tax preparation.
2 - In addition to basic computing/online skills a support person will need basic accounting skills. We require our people to be QuickBooks certified before working with clients supporting QBO. I highly recommend that any support people participate in QB Power Hours and Sleeter Group webinars to understand from their peers which issues they are seeing and either their resolutions or work arounds.
- Write-up work for tax preparation
- Basic bookepping
- Still looking for one.
- We will use it as the core accounting package for our new offering of a more comprehensive and packaged set of services we will be offering to new and existing clients.
Evaluating QuickBooks Online and Competitors
Yes - It is replacing Quickbooks desktop version. We are moving to the online version to have a more real time interaction with our clients in order for our firm to move from being the recorder of transactions into a more consultative role. With the online version there is no need for an accountant's file or working remotely in the client's books during there down hours.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
- Existing Relationship with the Vendor
I think the product's usability from the client's perspective is the single most important factor and coupled with the vendor's reputation makes it an easy sale to the client.
No. I think we made a good choice and believe that any shortcomings of the product will be addressed in the near future by Intuit.
QuickBooks Online Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal
- The initial banking transaction matching. Since most of the transactions were reconciled in the desktop conversion, QBO does not recognize the match. Perhaps I should have limited the look back when I did the first update.
QuickBooks Online Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
No - I am a Diamond level Pro Advisor so there is no need for me to pay for additional support. I use my support to support my clients.
I have not had a bad experience with support. A lot of times I end up on a conference call with support and my client. I am very comfortable having Intuit support represent me in this manner. They have always been extremely professional and resolved the issue.
Using QuickBooks Online
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Client Dashboard
- Client Reports
- Finding some functions like viewing the register. Some links are more intuitively placed than others but once you find and use them a few times it becomes a non-issue.
Yes - It's ok but certainly not as robust as the full online version.