Use QuickBooks Anywhere, Anytime with Remote Access

Remote access options for QuickBooks have expanded to meet the growing needs of busy professionals.  Having the ability to log into your file from home, on the road, at a client’s office, or while meeting with your accountant is a feature you should expect from your QuickBooks accounting package.  Here’s an overview of some of the most frequently used methods:

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a web-based version of Intuit’s traditional QuickBooks desktop package.  Since it’s an online service, you, your bookkeeper or accountant can log in from any web-browser.  It’s a good fit for service-based businesses and has the advantage of offering options not yet available on the desktop software. For example, it includes the option of using the desktop software’s “class” tracking plus “location tracking” and reports that can be memorized, automatically run on a preset schedule and emailed to users.

Similar to the desktop package, QBO offers several editions, which range from $9 to $26 per month, depending on the features needed.  As QuickBooks ProAdvisors, Kaufman Rossin is able to offer our customers these discounted rates, which are 20% less than list price!  Bear in mind, QBO won’t be a good fit for inventory-based businesses. Also, the pricing structure is per file per month, which can make it an expensive choice for owners of multiple businesses.

Desktop Sharing

If QuickBooks Online isn’t a good fit for your business or you prefer to stick with the tried and true desktop version, Intuit offers “QuickBooks Remote Access,” which allows users to log into their office’s QuickBooks computer from any other desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone with internet access.  For $3.95 per month, you can access any one QuickBooks file, and for a few dollars more you can gain access to your entire office computer, including additional applications and files.   Other popular desktop sharing services outside of Intuit include GoToMyPC , PCAnywhere and LogMeIn.

QuickBooks Hosting on the Cloud

What is the “cloud” and why do we keep hearing so much about it?  Cloud computing in this scenario means that your desktop-based QuickBooks file will no longer live on your office computer, but instead will be housed on a third party, secure server.  You’ll have the ability to log in to your file anytime, from anyplace.  What are the advantages?  For starters you retain the ability to use the robust desktop version of QuickBooks (rather than transition to QBO), and you cut down on the time and expense of maintaining data on your office computer, eliminating the need to save backups or upgrade  to the latest version of QuickBooks.  Prices for cloud hosting of QuickBooks generally start around $40 per month and increase depending on the number of users needed.

Contact Kaufman, Rossin’s QuickBooks ProAdvisors to discuss remote access options and to find the best fit for your business’ needs.