QuickBooks Pro & Premier Opportunity!

2018 QuickBooks Desktop Pro & Premier versions will be released next month, however if you purchase the 2017 version now, you will get a free 2018 version of the same product since your purchase is within 60 days of the product release.

Why should you buy now instead of waiting? You will be purchasing software at 2017 prices rather than 2018 prices. Please note that this offer is for the software version that is not a subscription and  will work this year and in all future years!

Call ie Solutions today for pricing and current promotions!

 

ie Solutions Receives Var Stars Award

Bob Scott’s VAR Stars 2015 Announced

IE Solutions, has been selected as a member of the Bob Scott’s VAR Stars for 2015, a group of 100 organizations honored for their accomplishments in the field of midmarket financial software

Members of the VAR Stars were selected based on factors such growth, industry leadership and recognition, and innovation. Selection is not based on revenue and those firms chosen represent a wide range of size and many different software publishers of accounting software.

“Each year, 100 VAR Stars are picked from the best organizations that market financial software. It is always an honor to recognize those who contribute to the development of our business,” Bob Scott said.

About Bob Scott
Bob Scott has been informing and entertaining the mid-market financial software community via his email newsletters for 16 years. He has published this information via the “Bob Scott’s Insights” newsletter and website since 2009. He has covered this market for 24 years through print and electronic publications, first as technology editor of Accounting Today and then as the Editor of Accounting Technology from 1997 through 2009. He has covered the traditional tax and accounting profession during the same time and has continued to address that market as executive editor of the Progressive Accountant since 2009.

About Progressive Media Group, Inc.
Progressive Media Group (PMG) www.PMGB2B.com is a leading online media company that provides business-to-business (B2B) marketers and media planners unparalleled access to a highly qualified and engaged audience through their portfolio of lead generation programs, industry-specific Web sites, email newsletters, Web seminars, live events, podcasts, content/reviews, custom publishing and direct marketing databases focusing on the nonprofit, healthcare and accounting professionals.
2015  VAR StarLogo

QuickBooks 2015 Accountant Toolbox

QuickBooks 2015 changes the way that Accountants and Bookkeepers can access Client data Review (CDR) and other features included in only the Accountant Versions of QuickBooks and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions (QBES) .  The new process uses the “Accountant Toolbox”, a new menu option on the Company Menu in both QuickBooks Pro and industry versions of Premier and QBES

Accountant Toolbox

The Accountant Toolbox gives full access to Client Data Review (CDR), Batch Enter Transactions, Period Copy, Working Trial Balance, and Accountant Center in QuickBooks Pro & Industry versions of QuickBooks Premier, and Quick Books Enterprise Solutions.    The toolbox is an amazing resource when working on the client’s records in a non-Accountant version.  The ability to “unlock” the toolbox is included in both the Intuit Pro Advisor program and QuickBooks Accountant Desktop Plus subscriptions and is accessed by using your Intuit login in conjunction with the External Accountant user rights.

Unlock Accountant Toolbox

In the past if you were on a non-Accountant QuickBooks edition either in your office or at a client’s site, logging into QuickBooks as an “External Accountant” user would give you access CDR with limited functionality.   In version 2015 non-Accountant versions you can still access CDR however you will now have full functionality.  To use the Accountant Toolbox log into the company file as and External Accountant user and then select the Company Menu – Unlock the Accountant Toolbox and login to your Intuit account when prompted.  The login account will tell Intuit if the rights to “unlock” the Accountant Toolbox.  After the toolbox is unlocked, the menu option will change from “Unlock Accountant Toolbox” to “Accountant Toolbox” and there will be a sub-menu with the toolbox features.

 

QuickBooks Options for Mac Users

Recently I’ve been working with many Mac users who want to use QuickBooks software for their business.  These clients usually have QuickBooks for Mac.  However if this program does  not meet the needs of your business, you can also use QuickBooks Online  or one of the Windows versions QuickBooks (Pro, Premier, Enterprise) using  Hosting, Dual Boot, or a Virtual Machine.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a web-based version of QuickBooks available in three versions http://quickbooks.intuit.com/online/compare/ . .   Using QBO and an internet connection, you will have 24/7 access and can integrate the software with other applications designed to work seamlessly with QBO.  Intuit has also developed a free download for the Mac that gives the user a native Mac experience when using QBO http://quickbooks.intuit.com/quickbooks-mac-app/ . Using QBO, you pay per user per month/year. This is the only option discussed in this article where you do not purchase or lease the software.

Hosting Services

QuickBooks can be hosted by authorized QuickBooks Hosting services.  In this scenario, you would purchase or lease the software.  You will also pay an annual or monthly fee to the hosting company to access their server.  The software is installed on the Hosting Services’ secure server and you would access the software application by logging into the site.  Using this option you can pay per user per month/year.  You would NOT be responsible for maintaining a Windows network and you would have 24/7 access.  Hosting software is a great option to reduce the cost supporting multiple platforms and managing a network.  This option usually includes backups and additional security.  Check References and perform due diligence before selecting a hosting service.  This is the only one of the three Windows options that I would recommend for multi-user access to QuickBooks (Pro, Premier, or Enterprise) on Mac, however it is also the most expensive option since it includes additional services.

Dual Boot

Mac users can install Boot Camp software on newer MACs to have the option of loading Windows on start-up rather than the native operating system. http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/ . Before selecting this option, verify that your Mac is compatible with Boot Camp at http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204048 . Once you have set-up Boot Camp you will need to purchase and install the desired Windows operating system.  Once the installation is complete, start the computer using Windows and then install a Windows version of QuickBooks.  You could then access the software anytime you start the computer using Windows.  With a Windows operating system loaded you can run Windows programs taking full advantage of all the computer’s components.  This is a good option if the user will be using Windows for an extended period of time and does not mind restarting the computer to access Mac programs.  This option works best with only one Windows user.  For multi-user access, hosting, QuickBooks Online or the QuickBooks for Mac are better options.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A Virtual Machine gives the computer user the ability to easily work in multiple operating systems on the same computer without restarting the machine.  Two very popular programs to create a Virtual Machine on a Mac to run Windows software are Parallels http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/ and Fusion http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/ .   Once you have loaded software to create a Virtual Machine (VM) you would then load the Windows operating system and then install a QuickBooks Windows version.  My clients who use these programs tend to go back and forth between the Mac & Windows throughout the day and love the convenience of using the software. The cost of this solution would include both VM software and also purchasing the desired Windows operating system. I would recommend this solution if you have just a single QuickBooks user in the office and do not need multi-user access.  For multi-user access, hosting, QuickBooks Online, or QuickBooks for Mac are better options.

For additional information please contact Ilene Eisen at ie Solutions Ilene.Eisen@ie-solutions.biz

Ilene Eisen to Speak at Inuit Virtual Conference

Ilene will be speaking that the Intuit Virtual Conference , Wednesday December 10, 2014  she will be presenting:

QuickBooks Desktop Accountant: Your Friend at Year End (Part 1 of 2)

This course has been designed to introduce the accounting professional to strategies for working with your clients’ QuickBooks company files at month‐end or year‐end. It provides an overview of  the tools and features that streamline the process of evaluating and correcting your client’s QuickBooks data as well as those tools and features that enable you to work efficiently and directly with your client on month‐end and year‐end accounting processes & financial reporting. These tools are available with your QuickBooks Accountant Desktop Plus 2015 subscription or QuickBooks Accountant Desktop 2015 software, and QuickBooks Enterprise Accountant 15.0 software

QuickBooks Desktop Accountant: Your Friend at Year End (Part 2 of 2)

Your clients’ QuickBooks data is seldom clean enough or complete enough for you to use when preparing their year‐end financial statements and / or income tax returns. In this session, we will “walk through the Balance Sheet” using the tools and features covered in the previous session (QuickBooks Desktop Accountant: Your Friend at Year End ‐ Part 1) to quickly find AND correct mistakes, allowing you to confidently use the QuickBooks trial balance to prepare your clients’ returns. You will also learn proactive steps you can take with your clients to keep their data accurate throughout the year – to streamline both income tax return preparation and periodic financial statement preparation.

 

Ilene Eisen to Speak at QuickBooks Connect

Ilene will be speaking that the Intuit Conference QuickBooks Connect in San Jose, California, Monday October 20, 2014 she will be presenting Mastering QuickBooks Inventory in Pro and Premier. This session will highlight the inventory features and strategies that Ilene uses when working with client to create an efficient workflow and accurate reports.  The session complete description is:

Managing Inventory can be quite complicated in any business! QuickBooks has features and tools that will help non-accountants manage the process. This course covers inventory concepts to help you understand the process and then introduces features and tools to purchase inventory, sell Inventory Parts, and enter Inventory adjustments.

Management should also understand the concepts, and use the tools provided, review reports, and be an active participant in the process to enhance internal controls. For this reason, we will also discuss reports, the reconciliation process, and an evaluation tool to easily identify errors and issues.

There are various versions of QuickBooks and we will discuss the inventory features that are available in QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier, and QuickBooks Accountant version so that the user can assess their needs and purchase or upgrade to the version that is best suited for their Inventory needs.

New QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions Subscription Plans

This month Intuit changed the way they sell NEW versions QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions (QBES), it is now sold on an annual subscription and will no longer function if the subscription is not renewed.  In addition to the Subscription, there are three packages that a customer chooses from, Silver includes Advanced Reporting, Gold includes advanced Reporting and Enhanced Payroll, and Platinum which includes advanced Reporting, Enhanced Payroll, Advanced Inventory, and Advanced Pricing.  Customers who currently own QBES will not be affected by this change.

Selling QBES on a subscription basis is a major change in the relationship between Intuit and the end user.  In the past a customer would purchase the software and had the option of purchasing the Full Service Plan (FSP) after the first year to keep the software current, if you did not purchase the FSP plan annually the software would continue to work, however you no longer receive product updates, online backup and technical support services.

The advantage of the subscription plan is that it is less expensive to add Enhanced Payroll and Advanced Inventory especially for customers with fewer users. The new price structure is also easier for customers to understand without having to price add-ons like payroll, Advanced Inventory and Advanced Pricing.  If the new structure reduces your cost, you can contact Intuit to switch to the subscription model, however this would be a non-revocable decision.

The disadvantage is that if you do not renew the subscription on an annual basis you will lose the ability to use or access your accounting software.

My Virtual Office

This month I moved out of the office space I had rented for the last 8 years!  In the last year I have worked from the office, hotel rooms, airport lounges, my kitchen table, and anywhere else with an internet connection when I had to get work done.  I found that the only advantage to being in my office was multiple monitors!  For efficiency over the years I have moved more services and data to the “cloud” and this has significantly reduced my costs and increased flexibility!

Remote Access Software – This service allows me to log in with clients to work remotely on their desktop for training and problem resolution.

Webinar Software – This software gives me the ability to present webinars to large groups of people regardless of location.

Voicemail – This online service sends me an e-mail with my messages included in a sound file and a transcribed conversation that I can read easily.

QuickBooks – This software lets me e-mail invoices and estimates and the merchant services link allows customers to pay their invoices online.

Office 365 – This subscription gives me full Microsoft functionality anywhere any place. I also store my files using the SharePoint which is included in the service and synchronize the files with my desktop and laptop so I have all my files with or without an internet connection.

Internet Fax Service – This service accepts my faxes and sends me an e-mail with an attached PDF of the fax.

These services and software also allow me to more responsive and flexible to client needs.  They have also made my business more convenient for my clients.

 

 

Accounting Software Formats

Many firms are looking to upgrade or replace their accounting software.  They look forward to a more efficient system but are concerned about making such a large change and the consequences of making the wrong decision.  In the past we looked at fairly similar features and the higher the price the better the software we found.  Today all bets are off and it’s hard to even compare prices of possible solutions. 

The accounting software ecosystem has changed and there are terms that we may not be familiar with or we may not completely understand.  In this article, I’d like to discuss the options:  cloud applications, hosted software, client-server software, and desktop software.  All of these options are very different and the option you choose will significantly affect your access, functionality, workflow, and costs.

Cloud Applications are programs that reside on the software provider’s servers and they are installed and updated by the provider.  You will not need to maintain servers or take daily backups, examples of such applications are QuickBooks Online, NetSuite,and  Xero. 

Hosted Applications are not really a program but a hybrid solution where you select an accounting solution that meets your needs and it is installed on a server provided by a “hosting” company.  This option allows you to choose a software package that meets all your needs without having to maintain a server and the necessary IT staff. 

Client Server Applications are programs that reside on your server and are accessed from various workstations.  The computing is performed at the server and therefore is faster and does not require as robust workstations.  

Desktop Applications are programs that vary from very basic to advanced software that reside on your workstation/computer,  These applications can be single user or accessed by other users on your network. The computing is performed at your computer and will be dependent upon the speed of your computer (and network if shared with other users) Examples of such applications are QuickBooks, and Peachtree. 

I hope this summary has helped you understand the Accounting Software options and will help you narrow down an appropriate software for your business.  

 

Printing 1099 Forms from QuickBooks Company Files

One of the tasks that many businesses struggle with in January is issuing 1099s and completing the reports.  I advise my clients to use the QuickBooks procedure for creating 1099’s rather than the timely and costly option of sending the information to an outside service to prepare the reports.   Many clients actually work with a tax preparer the first time to set-up the company file for 1099s, which is a great idea and allows you to learn the process for the next year. Here’s a short summary of the process you’ll need to follow to process your 1099’s and 1096:

Select Vendors from the top menu – Select Print /E-File 1099 – Select 1099 Wizard

You will see a listing of the activities that you will be guided thru in order to complete the task – Select the Get Started button.

Step 1 Select your 1099 Vendors – Vendors are subject to receiving a 1099 if they meet the income and statutory requirements based on business entity.  In this step we will only consider the statutory requirements based on business entity. 

Select all vendors that qualify for 1099s. Do not consider the vendor income requirements at this point, just select individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships, and anyone else who qualifies for a 1099 reporting. If you are not familiar with the requirements, check with your Tax Preparer for more information.  When you are done select Continue.

Step 2 Verify your 1099 Vendor’s Information –You will need the address and tax ID number for each 1099 vendor who will receive a 1099.  To save time, skip this step for now and we’ll complete the process in Step 4. Select continue and we will go back to complete this process later.

Step 3 Map Vendor Payment Accounts –Not all payments to vendors will qualify for 1099s, usually accounts that qualify are Cost of Goods Sold, Expense, and Other Expense accounts and most payments will be entered on Box 7. You should consult your tax preparer if you are not sure about reporting requirements.

 Step 4 Review Payments for Exclusions – This step gives you the opportunity to review both payments included and payments excluded based on the criteria defined in the previous steps.  Also QuickBooks will exclude all payments made by credit/debit cards, gift cards or PayPal in accordance with the IRS requirements. View both reports to verify that you have completed the set-up properly. When done select Continue.

Step 5 Confirm Entries – This step gives you the opportunity to confirm entries and on this screen you will see who needs additional information such as a Social Security number or Federal ID.  I usually wait until I get to this screen to research tax ID and addresses.  Any Vendors with incomplete information, can be edited in the vendor record.  If after calling a vendor you are informed that they do not meet the requirement for a 1099. Uncheck the 1099 vendor box in their vendor record or on Screen 1 of the wizard. You can now print the 1099 and 1096 forms, if you are not confident in the process ask your tax preparer to review your work.  When done, select Continue

Step 6 Choose Filing gives you the opportunity to print forms or e-file.  Please note that if you print forms you can reprint specific vendors or all forms at any time without changing your settings in Step 2.