Say hello to your new bookkeeping software, QuickBooks Online. While the platform is fairly user friendly, let me give you an introduction so that you start off on the right foot. I'll also include some pro tips I have learned along the way.
Let’s get your subscription started!
QuickBooks Online offers four different subscriptions, so you can pick and choose the best plan for your business right now. You will always be able to upgrade or downgrade as your business changes. The four plans are:
· Simple Start – Base version of QuickBooks Online. Includes 1 user and 2 accountant firms.
· Essentials – Offers bill management and employee timesheets. Includes 3 users and 2 accountant firms.
· Plus – Track inventory and project profitability. Includes 5 users and 2 accountant firms.
· Advanced – Workflow automation and ability to create a backup file. Includes 25 users and 3 accountant firms.
Once you have picked the right plan for your business, you will head to the Plans & Pricing page. Here you will notice a slider to choose between "50% off for 3 months" or a "free trial for 30 days". Woohoo! These are offers by QuickBooks Online for new users. However, keep in mind that you can only choose one of these offers per email you sign up with.
Pro Tip: If you have two emails, you can sign up for a free trial for 30 days using one email. When you are ready to commit, use the second email to start a subscription for 50% off for 3 months.
Once you toggle the offer, scroll down and choose a plan.
Once you toggle the offer, scroll down and choose a plan.
Next, you will be asked to add a payroll plan. If you know you will be running payroll through QuickBooks Online, you can add it now. Or you can choose “Continue Without Payroll”. This can always be added later if needed.
Time to Checkout…kind of. When you click on “Checkout” you will NOT be asked to enter your billing info yet. Instead, you will create your login.
Pro Tip: If you enter your email address and see this message, “This user ID is already taken.” It means that your email is associated with another Intuit product, like TurboTax, Mint, or Pro Connect. If you want all your Intuit subscriptions on one account, choose to “Sign In”. If you want your QBO subscription to be separate, use a different email address.
Now you are ready to enter your billing information and get started!
Congratulations! Your subscription is now active. QuickBooks will then begin its Setup Wizard where it will ask for your business name, EIN, etc to get you started. Don't worry if you don't have all the answers yet. You can always update later in the settings.