Hi, I’m Asim Qureshi, the CEO, and co-founder of Jibble, a cloud-based time and attendance software. I have several years of experience in building and scaling software products and teams across various industries and markets. Before I founded Jibble, I worked as a VP at Morgan Stanley for six years. I’m here to help uncover how to make the most of QuickBooks.
Overview
QuickBooks is the leading accounting software designed to help you manage your finances more efficiently. QuickBooks simplifies your bookkeeping, enabling you to track expenses, create invoices, run reports, and gain valuable insights into your financial health. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, QuickBooks is the ultimate tool for better decision-making and improved business efficiency.
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of strategies and tips to make the most out of QuickBooks. From selecting the right plan for your business to integrating other digital tools, we aim to empower you with the knowledge to streamline your financial processes and save valuable time.
Let’s delve into the world of QuickBooks and uncover how to unleash its full potential, making your accounting processes smarter, more organized, and hassle-free.
1. Select the right plan
When it comes to making the most out of QuickBooks, the first thing you need to take into account is selecting the right plan for your business. You should carefully assess your company’s needs and size to determine which plan offers the features that align with your financial management goals. Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, QuickBooks offers various plans with different functionalities. To get the most value from QuickBooks, you need to consider the number of users, invoicing needs, and customer support availability.
QuickBooks offers a few pricing plans that depend on your business needs.
- Simple Start: For $15/month, the Simple Start plan includes basic features such as tax deductions, invoices, and mileage tracking.
- Essentials: For $30/month, the Essential plan includes all features of the Simple Start plan including additional features such as bill management and adding employee time to invoices.
- Plus: For $45/month, the Plus plan includes all features of the Essentials plan including additional features such as inventory capabilities and project profitability.
- Advanced: For $100/month, the Advanced plan includes all features of the Plus plan including additional features such as employee expenses, access to premium apps, and data restoration.
There is also an option for self-employed individuals who are just starting up their business. The pricing plans are as such:
- Self-Employed – $10/month
- Self-Employed Tax Bundle – $15/month
- Self-Employed Live Tax Bundle – $20/month
2. Take advantage of ProAdvisor
When it comes to getting the best QuickBooks training and support, turning to a QuickBooks ProAdvisor is a wise move. QuickBooks ProAdvisors are accounting professionals who hold special certifications issued by Intuit, the creators of QuickBooks. These certifications not only make them proficient in using QuickBooks but also enhance their overall accounting expertise.
If you’re new to QuickBooks, leveraging the expertise of a ProAdvisor can be a game-changer. As an integral part of the QuickBooks Intuit Package, a ProAdvisor will assist you in navigating the software effectively. Whether you need help with tax preparation, outsourcing QuickBooks accounting, managing expenses, or other financial matters, a ProAdvisor is there to guide you.
ProAdvisor’s personalized training and support will help you establish a strong foundation in QuickBooks, ensuring you understand the ins and outs of the software thoroughly.
3. Set up recurring transactions
Setting up recurring payments in QuickBooks is a powerful way to fully utilize the software, bringing unparalleled convenience and efficiency to your billing process. With recurring payments, you can automate the task of charging customers on a set schedule, also known as autopay. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that have regular, cyclical transactions like subscription-based services or recurring invoices.
By enabling recurring payments, you can save significant time and effort that would otherwise be spent on manual billing tasks. Recurring payments automatically charge customers at specified intervals until the payment plan expires or they decide to cancel the subscription.
QuickBooks makes it seamless to set up recurring payments. With just a few steps, you can create templates for automatic billing. Select the customer, product or service to be billed, choose the payment method, and specify the recurring schedule (e.g., weekly or monthly). Once saved, the system will take care of charging the customers accordingly, as per the recurring billing schedule.
4. Integrate other tools or software
One of the best ways to make the most out of QuickBooks is to integrate it with your other digital tools. QuickBooks offers a vast ecosystem of integrations, allowing you to connect with various applications and platforms that complement your business operations. By integrating these tools with QuickBooks, you can streamline workflows, automate processes, and gain valuable insights, all within a centralized system.
The advantages of integrating your other digital tools with QuickBooks are numerous. It helps you eliminate the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors. Information flows seamlessly between applications, ensuring that all your data remains accurate and up-to-date. This not only saves time but also enhances the overall efficiency of your business.
5. Set up monthly reminders for account reconciliation
Account reconciliation is when you compare transactions recorded in your accounting system with the corresponding entries in your bank and credit card statements. It is done to identify and rectify any discrepancies. To make the most of QuickBooks and maintain the integrity of your financial data, it’s essential to establish a routine for account reconciliation.
You should set up monthly reminders for account reconciliation in QuickBooks to stay on top of this crucial task. By creating recurring reminders, you ensure that the reconciliation process is conducted regularly and consistently. This helps prevent any overlooked transactions or errors from accumulating over time and ensures that your books are always up-to-date.
By making account reconciliation a regular practice with the aid of monthly reminders, you can enhance the reliability of your financial records, identify any issues promptly, and gain a clearer and more accurate picture of your business’s financial health.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, maximizing the potential of QuickBooks involves making strategic choices, utilizing expert guidance, and integrating additional tools to streamline financial processes and drive business efficiency.
Keep in mind that QuickBooks continues to evolve, and staying updated on the latest features and improvements will enhance your financial management capabilities. By embracing these practices and staying proactive, you can unlock its true potential and drive your business toward greater success. With efficiency, accuracy, and valuable insights at your disposal, QuickBooks becomes a valuable asset in managing and growing your business effectively.
