Converting QuickBooks For Mac to QuickBooks Online

Several months ago, Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks, released a new version of QuickBooks Online that runs with the Safari web browser. This new version of QuickBooks introduces a multi-user alternative for existing users of QuickBooks in a Mac environment, as well as future users of QuickBooks for Mac. It is now possible for Mac QuickBooks users to “Converting QuickBooks For Mac” run multi-user versions of QuickBooks for one monthly price reasonable, and have backups and unattended software updates included in the monthly price.

In addition to the Safari interface, QuickBooks Online has been optimized for iPhone. The iPhone app is basically a read-only app, however there are some additional features for customer, vendor and employee information, as well as the ability to create and send invoices. Another benefit for QuickBooks Mac users is that there is no more waiting for updates to the Mac version of QuickBooks.

Installing QuickBooks Online (without the need to convert QuickBooks for Mac files to QuickBooks Online files) is relatively easy and straightforward. However, it gets a bit tricky when you need to convert an existing QuickBooks for Mac file to a QuickBooks Online file. Intuit does a reasonably good job of making it easy to install online.

Manually converting your file from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks Online is not that difficult, as long as you follow the instructions carefully, and it usually takes about 30 minutes. You cannot directly convert your file from QuickBooks for Mac to QuickBooks Online. There is an intermediate step that requires you to convert your Mac QB file to a Windows QB file and it begins with the dropdown menu in QuickBooks Mac. The process begins by selecting the File menu and then selecting “Back Up to QuickBooks for Windows” within the QuickBooks software. for Mac. When you complete this process, the file is sent to QuickBooks, and you receive a notification when the conversion process from QuickBooks Mac to QuickBooks Online is complete. Initially, I was surprised to see that this process is done at the Intuit level rather than in real time. One suggestion to make this process easier is that in the event you do not receive a timely notification of completion from Intuit, I suggest you contact support and ask them to review the status of your conversion and request that they speed it up for you. Usually when I call tech support they are very accommodating. They will facilitate the process, although they generally do not give any time guarantee and attribute the possible delay to their busy servers.

In general, the manual conversion process takes about 30 minutes (excluding Intuit conversion) and my customers are happy with QBO. A customer was disappointed that vendor type classifications are not available in QuickBooks Online. The solution for this is to use one of the fields in the provider profile as the provider type. So far, my customers are happy with multi-user access, the ability to work from anywhere, and automatic, unattended backups, despite slightly slow performance attributable to the web connection.

Two words of caution, the first of which is that QuickBooks Online currently does not support inventory applications and the second, that the conversion may require the services of your accountant or CPA to affect a smooth and orderly transition to the QuickBooks Online platform. .

As long as you understand the limitations of QBO upfront, then you should find the QBO platform acceptable, and more importantly, a useful financial tool for managing and monitoring your business.

Sandor Lenner, CPA has been providing business accounting services for 35 years. He is also a Certified QuickBooks Professional Advisor and provides QuickBooks support and accounting services for small businesses while working as a part-time consultant with Susan Missal Lenner, P.A.

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