QuickBooks Desktop to End Support June 2023

Sure, here is a blog post about support stopping for the QuickBooks desktop version and what it means for users:

QuickBooks Desktop Support to End in 2023: What You Need to Know

QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software solutions for small businesses. However, Intuit, the company that owns QuickBooks, has announced that it will end support for the desktop version of QuickBooks in 2023. This means that users of QuickBooks desktop will no longer receive bug fixes, security updates, or technical support from Intuit.

This news has understandably caused some concern among QuickBooks users. After all, QuickBooks is a critical tool for many small businesses, and the loss of support could significantly impact their operations.

So, what does this mean for QuickBooks desktop users? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You will no longer receive bug fixes or security updates. This means that your QuickBooks software could become vulnerable to security threats. It is important to keep your software up to date with the latest security patches in order to protect your data.
• You will no longer receive technical support from Intuit. If you have any problems with your QuickBooks software, you will need to find a third-party vendor to provide support. This could be more expensive than receiving support from Intuit.
• You may need to upgrade to a newer version of QuickBooks or an alternative. Intuit has a cloud-based version called QuickBooks Online. If you want to continue using QuickBooks, you will need to upgrade to the new version.

If you are a QuickBooks desktop user, it is important to start planning for the end of support in 2023. Here are a few things you can do:

• Upgrade to a newer version of QuickBooks. This is the best way to ensure that you will continue to receive bug fixes, security updates, and technical support from Intuit. We will look into this in more detail below.
• Start using a cloud-based accounting solution. Cloud-based accounting solutions are constantly being updated with new features and security patches. This means that you will always have access to the latest version of the software and that your data will be protected. There are lots of products available, including free accounting software.
• Continue using the QuickBooks Desktop version. This is not advisable as it is outdated and doesn’t have the features or security of newer versions. If you use an outdated version you risk the possibility of the system crashing and losing data. The new QuickBooks Online version will give you the opportunity to manage your business finances more efficiently.

The end of support for QuickBooks desktop is a significant event for small businesses. However, by planning ahead, you can minimise the impact of this change.

Convert to QuickBooks Online

Move My Books is a powerful tool that makes it easy to convert QuickBooks Desktop 2009 onwards to QuickBooks Online. With Move My Books, users can transfer all of their important data including chart of accounts, customers, vendors, inventory items, invoices and more. It also supports the conversion of multiple currencies and transactions across different fiscal years.

The entire process is automated and only takes a few moments to complete. Additionally, the interface is intuitive and user-friendly so anyone can use this powerful tool without any technical experience. With Move My Books, you can quickly and easily migrate from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online in minutes!

Change from QuickBooks Desktop to an Alternative Online Accounting Software

With QuickBooks Desktop ending support, it may now be time to look at alternatives. It’s important to choose the right one for your business needs. Before making a decision, consider what features you need, how easy it is to use, and the cost of the software. With the wide range of accounting solutions available, it can be difficult to make a choice, so take some time to do your research. For further information, please read our QuickBooks vs. Xero comparison.

A good accountant will be able to help you make an informed decision on the right package for your business needs. Remember, the right software can have a big impact on how efficient and successful your business is. So it’s important to get it right!

Once you’ve chosen the right accounting software for your business, there are a few things you will need to do to transfer the information including:

• Choose a suitable date to transfer to the new accounting software. A year-end is a good choice.
• Choose an alternative accounting software that fits your business needs and budget.
• Sign up for a plan suitable for your business
• Make sure you keep a backup of the desktop data, as all records are required to keep for at least 6 years.
• Either use Move My Books or see if there is an alternative for the software chosen.
• Print a trial balance report – this shows all the figures for the date of transfer
• Set up the business data, including business name, address, email, chart of accounts, year-end date, VAT details and invoice templates.
• Enter the opening balances from the trial balance.
• Review, validate, and test that everything has transferred correctly to make sure all data is present and accurate.

If you are unsure of any of the processes an accountant or bookkeeper can help, they should have the experience and knowledge to transfer the data.

Alternatives to QuickBooks Desktop

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a range of features to help manage finances more efficiently. As a cloud-based solution, it provides the added convenience of accessing your financial data from anywhere with an internet connection.

Main Features and Benefits:

• Invoicing and billing
• Expense tracking
• Bank reconciliation
• Payroll
• Inventory management
• Multi-currency support
• VAT and tax compliance
• Reporting
• CIS

Pricing (UK): QuickBooks Online offers five pricing plans to cater to different business needs:

1. Self-employed: £10/month for sole traders not registered for VAT
2. Simple Start Plan: £14/month for director only or small businesses
3. Essentials Plan: £20/month for small businesses with 3 users and suppliers
4. Plus Plan: £34/month for business with stock and projects
5. Advanced: £70/month for bespoke reporting and permissions

In summary, QuickBooks Online is a powerful and user-friendly accounting solution that caters to a wide range of business needs. Its cloud-based nature allows for easier collaboration, real-time data access, and seamless integration with numerous third-party applications.

Visit QuickBooks

Zoho Books

Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting software that offers a range of features for small to medium-sized businesses. It’s an excellent alternative to the QuickBooks desktop version.

Main Features and Benefits:

• Invoicing and billing
• Expense tracking
• Inventory management
• Banking integration
• Multi-currency support
• VAT and tax compliance
• Financial reports

Comparison to QuickBooks Desktop:
Zoho Books provides a more affordable solution with a user-friendly interface than some alternatives. It also offers better integration with other Zoho applications, which can be beneficial for businesses using multiple Zoho products.

Suitability:
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that require a comprehensive yet cost-effective accounting solution.

Pricing (UK):
Free Plan: Up to 3 users, limited features
Standard Plan: £6/user/month
Professional Plan: £12/user/month
Premium Plan: £18/user/month

Visit Zoho Books

Xero

Xero is a popular cloud-based accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses.

• Main Features and Benefits:
• Invoicing and quotes
• Bank reconciliation
• Inventory management
• Payroll
• Expense claims
• VAT returns
• Multiple currency support

Comparison to QuickBooks Desktop:
Xero offers a more modern and user-friendly interface compared to QuickBooks Desktop. It also provides better collaboration tools and access to real-time data.

Suitability:
Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a user-friendly and feature-rich accounting solution.

Pricing (UK):
Starter Plan: £10/month
Standard Plan: £24/month
Premium Plan: £30/month

Xero

Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a comprehensive accounting solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses.

Main Features and Benefits:

• Invoicing and quotes
• Cash flow management
• VAT and tax compliance
• Bank reconciliation
• Payroll integration
• Reporting and analytics

Comparison to QuickBooks Desktop:
Sage Business Cloud Accounting provides a more streamlined user experience and offers additional features such as cash flow management and payroll integration.

Suitability:
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a robust accounting solution with advanced features.

Pricing (UK):
Accounting Start: £12/month
Accounting: £24/month

Visit Sage

Bokio

Announcement – From 30th September 2023, Bokio will remove the free version and create a single paid plan at £19.95 per month. This new plan will include all the existing features, plus unlimited invoices and contacts.

We want to ensure our customers get the best value for their money, so we’re also offering a 30-day free trial on the paid plan. You can start using Bokio today without any risk – if you don’t love it then just cancel before your trial ends

Bokio is a free cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses and freelancers.

Main Features and Benefits:

Invoicing
Expense management
VAT returns
Bookkeeping
Reporting

Comparison to QuickBooks Desktop:
Bokio is a simpler and more affordable option compared to QuickBooks Desktop, making it an attractive choice for small businesses and freelancers on a tight budget.

Suitability:
Best suited for small businesses, freelancers, and startups that require basic accounting functionality without the added cost.

Pricing (UK):
Free Plan: Basic features
Additional paid add-ons available for extra features

FreeAgent

FreeAgent is a cloud-based accounting software designed specifically for freelancers, small business owners, and their accountants. It is free for business current account holders with Natwest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank NI.

Main Features and Benefits:

• Invoicing and expenses
• Bank reconciliation
• Time tracking
• Project management
• Payroll
• VAT and tax compliance

Comparison to QuickBooks Desktop:
FreeAgent offers a more tailored solution for freelancers and small business owners with a simpler interface and specialised features.

Suitability:
Perfect for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses looking for an easy-to-use accounting solution with features specifically designed for their needs.

Pricing (UK):

Free for business current account holders at Natwest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank NI or 1 monthly transaction with Mettle.
Sole Trader Plan: £9.50/month for the first 6 months, then £19/month
Partnership/LLP Plan: £12/month for the first 6 months, then £24/month
Limited Company Plan: £14.50/month for the first 6 months, then £29/month

QuickBooks Desktop Support Conclusion

In conclusion, the discontinuation of support for Quickbooks Desktop is a major change that small business owners should take into consideration. While it may have been a reliable and efficient accounting software for many years, it will no longer be supported or updated. Therefore, small business owners should look into alternative accounting software that offers better support and features so they can continue to effectively manage their finances.