QuickBooks is the premier accounting software system for small business owners, and with good reason: it features robust reporting, an easy to use interface, customizable invoices, inventory tracking, ease of use when on the go, and more. In fact, recent upgrades have made QuickBooks even more impressive, adding additional flexibility and customization. Here’s what our team learned when they attended advanced breakout sessions at QuickBooks Connect, a three-day conference for accounting professionals:

#1 Get Set Up for Maximum Output

The conference focused on the latest QuickBooks feature releases and the expanded offering of third-party plug-in modules that allow users to scale the software to fit their particular needs.  The key intention of Intuit’s new cloud platform aims to empower business owners to scale their business and allow the software to scale along with them. From restaurants to construction to manufacturing and everything in between, QuickBooks has industry-specific features tailored to your business’s unique needs and allows the end-user and their accountant access from anywhere.

Some of these features include:

• Operates on any device: QuickBooks can be accessed from any cloud-enabled device, including a mobile app when you’re on the go.
• Updates in real time: Since it’s cloud-based, QuickBooks updates for each user on each device as changes are made.
• Industry-specific reports: From job tracking to profit by location, QuickBooks provides reporting designed specifically for your industry.
• Inventory tracking: Manufacturing, distribution and retail industry businesses can stay on top of their inventory and gain accurate insights into the movement, cost, and profitability of the items they sell.
• Donation statements and contribution reports: Nonprofits can efficiently track their most important metrics for year-end submissions to their boards and the IRS.
• Third-party apps: QuickBooks easily integrates with over 400 industry-specific third-party apps, which work together and eliminate the hassle of double entry.
• Automation: eliminate manual entry by downloading bank and credit card transactions, import sales data from your POS, and process payroll directly.

#2 Explore Features for the Self-Employed

A significant portion of the sessions at QuickBooks Connect showcased their latest product, QuickBooks Self-Employed. There’s a good reason for that emphasis: today, roughly three in ten workers are self-employed, and over the next five to ten years, that percentage is expected to double. In keeping with that trend, QuickBooks has added multiple features, including an enhanced navigation and more detailed transaction reports that are specifically tailored to the self-employed individual. Here are a few of the software’s latest benefits that make running your business easier:

• Mobile mileage tracking: Track your business mileage as you travel to and from clients and business meetings. Once the end of the year rolls around, QuickBooks Self-Employed will effortlessly organize your deductions into a comprehensive report.
• Sort bank transactions: If you don’t have a business bank account yet, you can easily link your personal bank account to QuickBooks and choose whether the transaction is personal or business related.
• Accounting on the go: Make online payments and create invoices from anywhere.
• Track expenses: Expense receipts are instantly tracked and categorized – simply by taking a picture.
• Handle tax payments online: Calculate and pay quarterly taxes online with QuickBooks, eliminating year-end surprises.

Whether you are an accounting professional or a business owner, QuickBooks is designed to streamline processes and simplify your experience. Even so, they can also be more complex to understand and learn. It’s essential to have the right guidance to ensure that your business is using the right version of QuickBooks and is set up for maximum success. If you’re looking for ways to make your accounting processes easier and more efficient, or just want to learn more, contact Cray Kaiser today.

With over 2.2 million registered online users, QuickBooks Online is far and away the most popular accounting software solution for small businesses. With ample room for customization via third party applications, QuickBooks is striving to be the leading choice for cloud-based accounting software. But are you getting the most out of it? Below is an overview of QuickBooks Online new features and some helpful tips to help you determine if you’re using the software to its fullest potential.

Cloud-Based Systems

Over the past few years, QuickBooks has moved to a cloud-based system, making it easier for multiple team members to access the platform across multiple devices. Here are a few reasons why QuickBooks’ cloud-based system is best for small businesses:

• Your accountant can log into your QuickBooks Online account remotely and walk you through any issues in real-time via a shared screen.
• Software updates will take place automatically, without disruption to your operations.
• Multiple users can be logged in at the same time, and all changes are recorded so you can keep track of who does what.
• You no longer need to make backups since your data is safely stored in the cloud.
• The cloud is so secure that storing your sensitive financial information with QuickBooks is often more reliable than storing it on your own network. 

Third-Party Plugins

One of the biggest pain points with QuickBooks used to be the lack of customization. In the past, there was a significant amount of manual work required to customize QuickBooks to meet your needs. They’ve solved this by allowing third party vendors to sell add-on plugins for specific requirements. With over 5,000 apps available on the Intuit app store, practically any need can be addressed. There’s truly a solution for everyone – from very complex to very simple installations. And, since the app companies are all competing for your business, they’re all striving to be more robust and less expensive, which is great news for you as the consumer.

Here are some benefits of third party plugins:

• Complete integration: You no longer need to double enter any of your data. The data from your apps is completely automated, and no longer needs to be uploaded as individual transactions.
• New reports: Data can be summarized in daily or monthly reports, saving you time and ridding your reports of unnecessary data.
• Bank account connection: Download your bank data directly into QuickBooks.
• No more mapping: You don’t have to map your transactions by hand anymore. Over time, QuickBooks learns how to record each transaction to the correct account.
• Agility: As your needs change, you can add or remove third party apps without any impact on your general ledger.

Avoiding QuickBooks Issues: Pro Tips

The biggest problems for QuickBooks users usually result from improper software installation.  Even though QuickBooks has better user guides and online video tutorials than ever before, it’s still easy to make small mistakes that have big impacts in the future. If your software isn’t properly set up, you’ll expend a lot of time and effort backfilling incorrect reporting. To avoid this, the best practice is to contact someone from the Find a Pro Advisor directory to ensure that your setup and workflows are correct from the beginning.

Your accounting software should be as unique as your organization. At Cray Kaiser, we’re able to adapt your accounting solution to best fit the way you do business. If you have questions about the QuickBooks Online new features, please contact us today to speak with our in-house Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisors.