Understanding Numbering in a Chart of Accounts

Ask the Accountant… Question: Do I need account numbers in addition to account names? If so, are there particular numbers? Answer: I like using account numbers with account names for accounts in the chart of accounts (COA) because it makes it easier to distinguish one account from another more readily, as some account names are…

Read More

The Easiest (and Most Accurate) Way to Calculate Sales Tax on QuickBooks

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is one of several options from QuickBooks. It is very different from QB Premier or Enterprise, which are more robust and better suit our industry. For instance, QBO does not have customer sales orders, which are pivotal in QB Premier and Enterprise. That being said…

Read More

Should You Enter Transactions as Journal Entries in QuickBooks?

Ask the Accountant… Question: I had some accounting in college. Can I enter transactions in QuickBooks as Journal Entries instead of learning the software? Answer: QuickBooks is designed to follow their designated flow so that your entries are recorded correctly. By doing this, the debits and credits are recorded automatically in the background of the…

Read More

What’s the Easiest Way to Place a Reorder in QuickBooks?

Ask the Accountant… Question: A customer is placing a reorder. Is there an easy way to do that in QB Premier? Answer: Yes. Open the original sales order and click “Create a Copy” at the top of the screen. Make any adjustments to prices in the new sales order, then create the supplier purchase order…

Read More

Why Did QuickBooks Premier Become So Expensive?

Ask the Accountant… Question: The price for QB Premier has gone up a lot recently. I found a much lower price online. Is it the same thing? Should I wait and see if the prices come down? Answer: Intuit has significantly increased the prices for QB Premier 2021. The wholesale pricing has nearly doubled, and…

Read More

Why Purchase a New Version of QuickBooks?

Ask the Accountant… Question: I have an older desktop version of QuickBooks Premier (too embarrassed to mention the version/year). So far, it seems to work fine. What are the disadvantages of staying on an older desktop QB version? I have a sense there’s something I don’t know but should. Answer: By using an old version…

Read More

Reconcile Before the End of the Period

Ask the Accountant… Question: I produce my month-end statements and then do my reconciliations whenever the statements are ready. Is that the right order? Answer: Reconciliations are an important step in keeping your data up to date. Reconciliations are a safeguard that your numbers are correct, or at least entered in your system. A reconciliation…

Read More