If your business currently uses QuickBooks Desktop (QBD) for managing your finances, there are some important changes on the near horizon that you need to be aware of. As of the end of September, Intuit, the company behind QuickBooks, will no longer allow businesses to purchase new QBD subscriptions. This move is part of Intuit’s broader plan to transition users towards their cloud-based solution, QuickBooks Online (QBO).

Why is Intuit Phasing Out QuickBooks Desktop?

The decision to phase out QuickBooks Desktop aligns with a growing trend in the software industry to move towards cloud-based solutions. Cloud computing offers several advantages over traditional desktop applications, including greater accessibility, automatic updates, and improved security measures. Intuit's goal is to streamline their offerings and focus on enhancing the user experience through QuickBooks Online, which is better suited to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

If you are currently using a 2022 or older boxed version of QBD and do not have a subscription, you only have until September 30, 2024 to purchase a new subscription, as no NEW subscriptions will be sold after this date.

Additionally, Intuit only supports each retail version for three years. Once your product passes the three-year mark, you will lose critical features such as payroll, bank feeds, credit card processing, product and security updates and more, which may render your product virtually useless. Therefore, if you are on 2022 QBD, your software will no longer be supported after May 2025.

Another critical piece of information – if you have a QuickBooks Desktop subscription, it is critical to keep your billing info up to date. If the subscription payment fails – even one time – your subscription will be canceled, and you will not be able to re-instate it! This means you will lose all of your data and have to start over with everything.   

Essentially, this means the time has come to decide when, not if, you should move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. 

• If you have a “standalone” retail version of QBD, you can either purchase a QBD subscription by 9/30/24 or move to QBO before May 2025.

• If you currently have a QBD subscription, you can either stay put and wait until Intuit announces their ultimate intentions for QBD, or you can choose to proactively move to QBO on your own schedule.

QuickBooks Online Advantages

1. Accessibility: QBO allows you and your accounting team to access your data from anywhere, anytime, as long as you have a secure internet connection. This is a game-changer for business owners and accountants alike, enabling real-time collaboration and reducing the need for cumbersome file transfers or remote access setups.

2. Data Security and Backups: Your data is automatically backed up and stored securely in the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about losing your financial records due to hardware failures or software issues. This level of data security is crucial for protecting sensitive business information.

3. Integration with Third-Party Apps: QBO integrates seamlessly with a variety of third-party applications, including point-of-sale systems, bill pay apps, and timekeeping software. This connectivity can automate and streamline many aspects of your business operations, saving you time and reducing errors.

4. Improved Collaboration: Since QBO is cloud-based, we can more easily access your financial information without the need for backup copies or restoring files. This simplifies the accounting process, reduces the risk of errors, and helps ensure everyone is on the same page. This means no more cumbersome backup file transfers or expensive remote access setups!

Don’t Fall for QBD “Too-Good-to-Be-True” Offers

Thinking about snagging a “three-year QuickBooks license” from eBay or another discount site? Be careful, the Internet is full of scams that can give hackers access to your financial data! All QuickBooks Desktop versions have switched to a subscription model, so those multi-year licenses are a thing of the past. To avoid getting tricked, stick to purchasing directly from Intuit, or better yet, call us and we’ll help you purchase a legitimate product that meets your specific needs.

Another caveat, Intuit is not discontinuing QBD Enterprise (yet!), however it is specifically built for large manufacturing, distribution or construction companies that manage a lot of inventory, and therefore overkill for most small businesses. And with a $1900 annual price tag, it costs significantly more too.

Planning Your Transition to QuickBooks Online

If you tried QBO years ago and didn’t like it, rest assured that Intuit has made myriad improvements to the user interface and functionality based on customer feedback. Our firm switched to QBO seven years ago and never looked back due to the increased efficiency and ease of use.

Switching from QBD to QBO does come with some upfront costs, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. At Account Sense, we offer a one-time conversion service, starting at $1,000, to help make your transition as smooth as possible. We recommend scheduling this transition now so your new system is fully up and running by January 1st so you can start the new year with a clean slate.

Why Act Now?

The end of September deadline for QBD subscriptions is fast approaching. By planning your transition now, you’ll avoid any disruptions to your business operations and ensure that your financial management system is set up for success. Waiting until the last minute could mean rushing through the process or dealing with unforeseen complications.

We get it, change is hard. At Account Sense, we’re here to support you through every step of this transition. If you have any questions about moving from QBD to QBO or would like to schedule your conversion, please reach out to us.