Which Quickbooks? - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Susie Sue · Senior Member

Which Quickbooks?

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Quickbooks Pro or Premier

http://www.intuit.co.uk/quickbooks-accounting-software/desktop/compare.jsp

Susie Sue · Senior Member

Thanks John - just awaiting a call back

Susie Sue · Senior Member

and still waiting........

Do I need their help to get my data out of Sage into Quickbooks?

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Looks like you have 4 options Sue, import the data yourself using an iif file. http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Articles/HOW12778

Use zed systems software but at $195 it may be a bit pricey. Theres a 30 day trial if you want to have a play first https://www.zed-systems.com/axis-import.html

Use a conversion service, there's no price listed on the one I found but they promise 100% accuracy http://sage-50-accounting-to-quickbooks.sage.qbconvert.com/

or (and this would be me) waiting for each year end then start with the opening balances.

There may be other ways but this is what I found from googling.

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Im pretty sure Quick Books wont help. I had to upgrade my QB from a really old version (older than 5 years) and they couldnt cope with it. I was on the phone to India for about 2 hours and they just manage to bobs it up completely. Fortunately it was only old Scouts charity accounts I had on the old version, so Ive just managed to keep the two versions running separately (although I have this feeling that now Ive bought a new PC, I might not get away with it!). Worth looking at John's suggestions.

Kundan Lal Rana · Veteran Member

Susie Sue wrote:
Hi,
Looking to move away from Sage. Which Quickbooks Desktop package would I need for multi-company?

Thankyooouuuuu

Hey Sue, Go for QuickBooks Pro (3 users) or Premier Desktop 2015 (5 users) with features unique to your industry.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Kundan,

1) Why would Sue need to pay three times the price for more than a single user version of Pro? (She's asking for multi company, not multi user)

2) I think that the more specialist industry specific versions of QB are an American rather than UK thing.

3) I think that for retail versions Premier only comes in 1 or 3 user versions

4) Whilst attempting to confirm that last statement I just made the mistake of attempting to look a the quickbooks site! It's gone totally geared towards pay as you go hasn't it. Even if one finds the small desktop link and clicks on it that doesn't go to the desktop verson but rather simply attempts to tell you why you should have an online version instead.

There are two trains of thought in business.

1) Build it and they will come

2) Build what people want

Option (1) only works in a market where noone is offering option (2)... The UK is not one of those markets.

Sinclair C5's come to mind here!

EPF_Solutions · Senior Member

It's also a big warning to steer clear of Quickbooks if you want a desktop option. If they're pushing online and pay as you go so hard, and hiding desktop versions, now, it may not be long before they drop the desktop versions entirely, leaving desktop users rather stuffed.

VinceH · Expert

I think it's a crying shame that they, too, seem to be heading in the "Data as a Protection Racket" (more commonly known as "Software as a Service") direction.

I don't use (or like... hence don't use) Quickbooks anyway - I thought it was horrid donkey's years ago, but bought a new version a couple of years ago to see if it had improved - but despite my dislike it's a popular package, and with Sage going down the same road, they'd be well placed to mop up unhappy users who don't see the dangers and pitfalls of the DaaPR/SaaS model when it comes to accounts data - or any other data, for that matter, but data that is mandatory is something that it's much more important not to have potentially held to ransom.

(Having said that, sadly, too many end users seem to be falling for it hook, line and sinker, so maybe there won't be many to mop up!)

If anyone wants me, I'll be over there ---> banging my head against a wall.

EPF_Solutions · Senior Member

One of these days people might catch on, and be desperate for the services of the few who are enlightened enough to remain as dinosaurs!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U01xasUtlvw biggrin

-- Edited by EPF_Solutions on Tuesday 19th of May 2015 11:35:03 AM

-- Edited by EPF_Solutions on Tuesday 19th of May 2015 11:35:33 AM

Susie Sue · Senior Member

Finally spoke to somebody at Quickbooks - and your all correct. They won't transfer my data to a desktop version, only online, and neither will the company they recommend "Move my Books"

Have been in contact with another company "Quickbooks Repair Pro" - think these are in America so not sure???

I'll look at Johns suggestions (thanks John)

VinceH · Expert

The problem with moving data from one package to another is that they handle and store that data differently. As such, while it's possible to export transactions from one, and import into the other, that's a long way from the end of the story. To precisely recreate in one the accounts that were in the other it's necessary to, in effect, do a lot of the work again - whether that's yourself, or someone else. (So my curiosity is understandably piqued by those links, but not enough to investigate!)

TBH, my inclination would be as per John's final suggestion: transfer the balances at an appropriate time, and keep the historical data where it was to start with - that software won't (or shouldn't) suddenly stop working because you're using something else.

For historical information, you look in the old software. For new stuff, you look in the new. A lot less work and cost.

Susie Sue · Senior Member

Think I will be going that way - they all promise alot until it comes down to it

GordonB · Veteran Member

When I spoke to the QuickBooks guys at Accountex I was assured that the desktop version was here to stay. (I use Clearbooks or Xero for cloud clients and QuickBooks for desktop.) It apparently is the major part of their US business and therefore could not afford to abandon it for cloud only versions.

Regards
Gordon

Susie Sue · Senior Member

If you decided to go the online route what happens if you want to move? Would it just be a case of printing everything you needed before you stopped paying the subscription?

VinceH · Expert

Yes - although you can "print" to PDF if there aren't export options to that format; no need to waste paper.

However, you have to make sure you print every relevant report, for every relevant period (or point in time) so as to be able to present a true and complete picture of the accounts if ever necessary - and that could be tedious.

Even more tedious if you are using the cloudy accounts to store digital copies of all your receipts etc, because you'll need to bring those down off the cloud as well.

This is but one of the reasons I really, really don't like the idea of the cloud when it comes to accounts.

To be fair: There are some advantages to cloud accounting, but they just aren't good enough to make up for the disadvantages, such as the above - so to all those who are heartily drinking of the cloud-flavoured Kool-Aid, I have just this to say: Mint sauce!

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Susie Sue wrote:
Have been in contact with another company "Quickbooks Repair Pro" - think these are in America so not sure???

I'll look at Johns suggestions (thanks John)

No Problem Sue, yes Quick Books Repair based in the good 'ole US. Although I didn't check I'm pretty sure the one I linked to was as well. It seems the general consensus is to wait until year ends and swap each one over individually, which will probably solve a lot of heartache, albeit working with two different accounting packages for a while.

Shaun, the Quickbooks desktop link is at the very bottom of the home page (in -20 point font lol) on the left hand side. Everything is geared to using the online versions, and certainly on this side of the pond I get the impression that they're reluctant to let people know about the desktop versions, and I agree with John that it may well disappear in the uk.

And Vince, my thoughts echo yours entirely.

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Cheers John,

I had been suckered by the "I use quickbooks desktop" further up the page... Then by the pricing under accounting software. Just a few further down an I would have ended up in the right place.

I can just imagine the discussion in Intuit HQ...

"Should we put the price of our products under pricing?"

"No, thats what they wiill be expecting".

Totally agree that Intuit UK seem to be gearing everything on this side of the pond towards online whether we actually want it or not.

Kundan Lal Rana · Veteran Member

Hi,

Thanks for posting here. If you are looking to move away from Sage, I'm assuming you are trying to find a more accounting specific solution. As for QuickBooks versions, you can either go for the Premier or Enterprise solution depending upon your budget and requirements.

Both the software offer industry-specific and multi-company support.
However, Premier supports 5 users, and Enterprise can support upto 40 licensed users. QB Enterprise also has a more extensive set of features and benefits.

I hope my answer helps to clarify your doubt.
Thank you.

-- Edited by Kundan Lal Rana on Wednesday 19th of May 2021 07:09:12 AM

Artois · Guru

In all fairness despite being VEISS you have the right day and month just a shame you are 6 years too late, I think it may be sorted by now!

Leger · Master Book-keeper

HI Doug

Surprisingly, this isn't VEIS. Kundan was a regular a few years ago (just a touch before my time possibly)

Artois · Guru

Leger wrote:
HI Doug
Surprisingly, this isn't VEIS. Kundan was a regular a few years ago (just a touch before my time possibly)

Maybe he/she just needs to work on their time keeping then!

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

I do sometimes wonder whether it is still the same person using the account. However, as John says, Kundan was a regular which is why he gets different treatment to others.

I did however use my ninja skills earlier to change the original post above to drop the SEO element of it.

All the best,

Shaun.

(yep, still here but flying under the radar biggrin )

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Shamus wrote:
I do sometimes woner whether it is stil the same person using the account. However, as John says, Kundan was a regular which is why he gets different treatment to others.

I did however use my ninja skills earlier to change the original post above to drop the SEO element of it.

Ah, I didn't realise there was SEO in the post, you must have altered it before I saw it. Good to see you still around matey, even if it is under the radar.

Sorry Doug, I thought you had assumed VEIS by virtue of Kundan dragging up an old thread. The time keeping remark made me laugh.