How To Set Up and Use Quickbooks Remote Access
Ever wish you could access and work on your Quickbooks account from different different devices? Well, thanks to Quickbooks Remote Access, now you can. This is a huge benefit for people who are constantly traveling and don’t always have access to their primary computer. Using a secure login, you can access and make changes to your Quickbooks account from any compatible computer or device from anywhere in the world. If this is something you are interested in, keep reading to learn more about setting up and using Quickbooks Remote Access.
Does My Quickbooks Come With Remote Access
There are some versions of Quickbooks that come with Remove Access at no additional charge. If your version does not have this feature, however, you can add it for the low price of $3.95/month, which is a small price to pay for the ability to use Quickbooks from multiple devices. So, which versions have Remote Access built in? Currently, Quickbooks Pro, Quickbooks Premier and Quickbooks Enterprise all come with this highly useful feature at no additional cost.
Setting Up Quickbooks Remote Access
When you are ready to get started, go ahead and launch your Quickbooks application. Depending on the specific version of Quickbooks you are running, you will either need to select “Accountant” followed by “Remote Access” or “File” followed by “Remote Access.” From here, you simply need to follow the directions on choosing a name, password, etc. When you are done, you should now be able to access all Quickbooks-related programs.
It’s important to note that both you and the client computer must have an active internet connection in order for Quickbooks Remote Access to work. If only one of these computers has an internet connection, there’s simply no way for the connection to occur. If you haven’t done so already, check to make sure there’s an active internet connection with both computers. You can then attempt to log into the client computer using the web address previously mentioned. Once you’ve entered in the login information, it will send a request to the client computer. Once the request is granted, you’ll then be able to access and modify files within the Quickbooks account.
Hopefully, this will give you a better understanding on setting up and using Quickbooks Remote Access. It’s a highly useful feature that many people seem to overlook. However, nearly everyone can benefit from Quickbooks Remote Access, so make sure it’s setup on your account.
Common Errors Made In Quickbooks
Quickbooks is the world’s most popular business account software, and for good reason — it’s loaded with features, come with an easy-to-use interface, and there are several versions available to fit anyone’s accounting needs. Whether you are a small, medium or large-sized business, chances are you’ll find Quickbooks makes accounting quick and easy. If you intend on using Quickbooks, though, you’ll want to avoid making some of the following mistakes.
Mistake #1 – Not Reconciling Accounts
Arguably, the single most common Quickbooks mistake people make is not reconciling their financial accounts. Instead, they simply look at the end balance to see how much money their accounts contain. While it may be accurate nine out of ten times, there’s always a chance the final balance is wrong. The only way to determine the accuracy of your accounts’ final balance is to go through and reconcile each one. Basically, this is a process similar to balancing a checkbook, as you’ll look at each deposit and withdraw to see if the final balance matches up
Mistake #2 – Not Setting Bank Account With Cash Entries
Let’s face it, not all of your financial transactions will be done through checks. There will likely be times when cash is used for the purchase of goods related to your business. The good news is that Quickbooks is designed to handle cash entries with ease. The bad news, however, is that some people make the mistake of not appointing a bank account with the entry. Even though it’s a cash entry, you still need to specify which bank account it’s for; otherwise, your final balances will get thrown off. Try to get into the habit of reconciling your accounts at least once every other week to reduce the impact of any incorrect transactions.
Mistake #3 – Not Backing Up Your Accounts
When it comes to accounting, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Unless you are using Quickbooks Online, all of your financial account data and information is probably being stored on your computer. While this is perfectly fine, you should also back it up elsewhere just in case something happens to your computer. Even a small USB flash drive will typically provide enough storage space to backup your Quickbooks accounts. Alternatively, you can use a removable hard drive, CD, DVD or a remote storage service. The bottom line is that you need all of your Quickbooks account information backed up somewhere other than your computer.
What Is Cloud Computing?
In recent years, cloud computing has become more and more popular by both businesses and individuals. It offers several unique benefits that simply aren’t found in traditional local computing. Even with this newfound popularity, however, many people are left in the dark as to what cloud computing actually is. If you are still trying to wrap your head around the technology of cloud computing, keep reading and we’ll break it down for you.
Cloud Computing – The Basics
Cloud computing refers to a type of network-based technology where hardware and software are stored and accessed at a remote location. This definition can undoubtedly be confusing to some, so let me give you an example — say you fire up your home computer, open up your internet browser and log in to a web-based accounting program like Quickbooks Online. Since the hardware and software being used for the calculations are stored remotely, this would be considered a form of cloud computing.
The most notable characteristic of cloud computing is the fact that data is stored and accessed from a remote location. If you can access a program from you computer without using the internet or local networking technology, chances are it’s not using cloud technology. The “cloud” refers to a remote location that can be accessed through multiple devices.
Advantage of Using Cloud Computing
There are several unique advantages of cloud computing that can’t be ignored. For starters, it allows you to perform computing work or tasks from anywhere in the world. When you are hundreds of miles away from home on a business trip, you can log in to your cloud computing server to access your files and programs. There’s no need to haul your massive home desktop PC around with you since all of your files are stored at a remove location.
Another advantage of cloud computing is the fact that all of your data is backed up in case of a crash or system failure. Let’s face it, I think we’ve all lost important data at one point or another. Having your data stored remotely at a cloud location offers a valuable backup in case of such a disaster. If your local desktop PC crashes, just log in to your cloud server and download it again.
The truth is that these are just a few of the many reasons why so many people rely on cloud computing. As technology improves, we’ll likely be seeing more programs and services take the route of cloud computing.
How To Get Most Out of Quickbooks
As a business owner, Quickbooks is hands down one of the most valuable pieces of software you’ll come across. It’s designed to make business accounting, no matter how big or small, a breeze thanks to its clean, easy-to-use interface. As a newcomer, though, you might overlook some of the essential features offered by Quickbooks. To ensure you get the most out of your Quickbooks experience, keep reading for some essential tips and tricks.
Before we start, it’s important to note that there are several different types of Quickbooks software available. The most basic is the online version, which runs for $39.95/month, while the most advanced type is Quickbooks Enterprise Solution, which is available starting at $999.95. Of course, there are also different versions that somewhere in between. Contrary to what some people may believe, the most expensive type of Quickbooks isn’t always necessary. Do some research first to determine which type has the features you need for your business accounting.
Reconciliations
Arguably, the single most important feature offered by Quickbooks is reconciliations. I guess you compare this to balancing your checkbook, as you are going over all of your transactions to ensure the end result is correct. If you entered in a wrong number for a transaction or deposit, the end result for your reconciliation will be different. The good news is that it’s designed to catch these errors and show you exactly where the problem occurred. You can then go back through and fix it once you’ve identified the erroneous entry.
When you perform reconciliations on your Quickbooks account, it’s best to start with the smaller bank accounts first and then work your way up to the larger ones. Getting the smaller ones out of the way will clear up some of the interface, making it easier for you to see what you are working with.
Use Journal Entries
A commonly overlooked feature offered by Quickbooks are journal entries. Although they aren’t necessary for basic business accounting, creating journal entries is a quick and easy way to note where a specific payment came from if there’s already an option for it. In the past, most accountants used journal entries to perform nearly all of their accounting tasks. Now, though, they are sparingly used. The truth is that you should really only use them when there’s source available for a check or payment. In this case, create a journal entry and enter the information of the client.