Accountants' Review Copy

Accountants' Review Copy

This method is preferred if the client data is relatively clean and only a few journal entries will be needed. The largest advantage is that by creating an accountant review copy of the QuickBooks data, the client can continue to enter transactions while the file is with the accountant. Once the accountant has made the changes, an adjustment file is created, which is merged into the client's live data. This eliminates the need to have the client stop working in the file, as well as eliminating the need for either the client or accountant to re-enter transactions. This feature was first available with Version 5.0.

This particular option requires that both the client and the accountant use the same version (and potentially the same release) of the software. For prior versions, if the accountant has QuickBooks Pro and the client has QuickBooks the interface will still work as long as it is the same version. For version 2002 and higher, if the accountant has QuickBooks Premier: Accountant Edition, the client may use Basic, Pro or Premier and the interface will work properly.

There are, however, several disadvantages to this method if the client's file is going to need a significant amount of work. For a more complete list, go to Help > Help & Support Index > Accountants' Review > What an accountant can do in an accountants' review copy

• Although reports are available, new memorized reports will not transfer back to the client for older versions. New with 2002 and higher there is the ability to export report templates so they can be imported by the client but this will be an additional procedure.

• In addition, changes to preferences will not transfer back to the client either (this includes the preference for changing the closing date).

• If transactional forms (i.e. bills, invoices, etc) are to be used or changed the Accountants' Review Copy is not the correct solution. The only type of transaction the Accountant can enter is a journal entry.

• Certain manipulation of lists is not permitted. Although the Accountant is able to edit existing names and numbers and add new accounts, the ability to change account type or make accounts inactive is not available through the Accountants' Review Copy. And for the client, changing some list (i.e. deleting from any list or re-organizing any list) information will not be permitted.

TIP: It may also be helpful to turn on the audit trail while the accountants' copy is out to make reconciliation if any historical transactions have been changed more efficient.

QBRA-2004: File > Accountant's Review

More information on this topic

Data Transfer