SOP - QBD To QBO Conversion
SOP - QBD To QBO Conversion
SOP - QBD To QBO Conversion
This document is based on a QuickBooks webinar from 05/03/23; the webinar and slide deck can be found in the Teams
Channel: QBO Knowledge Base under Files > QBD to QBO conversion
Please use this document (QBO subscription levels) to determine which subscription level best suits the client. Most KZ
clients are on Plus—which is the minimum level for inventory, class tracking, and Purchase Orders—but not all clients
have this need. Additional subscription level details on page 17 of the Slidedeck – Converting to QBO from QBDesktop
PDF file.
Numbers referenced here (ex. 00:10:52) are timestamp on webinar + slides are from webinar PDF deck.
If you have any troubles, reach out to the dedicated Intuit Assisted Migration team: (844) 391-9890
You *can* redo a conversion (Company > Export your company to QBO, choose same QBO company, Upload; data will
be overwritten completely up to 180 days).
Company data (up to 60 days) can be purged from QBO completely, if there were errors in the conversion (for example,
payroll was turned on in QBDesktop prior to conversion triggering QBO Payroll, which cannot be overwritten by re-
exporting the company). Special note for purging: you MUST be logged into the company file as a regular user on the file
(set up a new user with a temporary gmail account and execute this process) and not logged into the QBOA (QBO
accountant) portal as you can inadvertently purge the wrong company. (1:00:08 - slides 64-66).
PART 2 of the Webinar: Migrating data to QBO without using the conversion tool
(02:03:22) Lesson 1: Exporting lists from QuickBooks Desktop
Lesson 2: Importing lists exported from QuickBooks Desktop into QuickBooks Online
Lesson 3: Entering beginning balances in a new QuickBooks Online company
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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Payroll & Employees – make sure this is turned off, it will initiate QBPayroll in QBO if turned on
Sales Tax
10. In Step 1, we requested the client to disconnect their merchant account and suspend any recurring charges within
QBDesktop. Check to see if this disconnection was completed: Company > Advanced Services Administration
Review.
11. Once all the above has been verified/resolved, create another Backup of company: File > Back Up Company >
Create Local Backup (slide 45)
12. Final checklist:
You created a new company subscription in QBO
You updated QBDesktop with the most recent maintenance release
o Step 4: Help > "Update QuickBooks Desktop"
You copied the QBDesktop file to a local drive
You checked the number of transaction targets and database file fragments
o Step 5 + 6: hit F2 and verify targets are under 750,000
You verified the integrity of the QBDesktop data
o Step 7: File > Utilities > Verify Data.
You re-sorted the lists
o Step 8: Banking > Write Checks > place cursor on Payee field > press CTRL + L to
bring up Name List. On top bar, click View > Re-sort List
You reviewed and updated preferences
o Step 9: Edit > Preferences
You backed up your QBDesktop data
o Step 11: File > Back Up Company > Create Local Backup
13. Carry out the conversion within QBDesktop (00:48:08 - slide 50-59)
Export the company file from QBDesktop:
Company > Export Your Company File to QuickBooks Online
Decide whether to convert inventory (NOTE: QBDesktop inventory valuation uses average cost and QBO
uses FIFO, or First-In-First-Out – you must bring this to manager’s attention in case they need to discuss
with client; generally, we select “Yes, track inventory using FIFO” and use 01/01/current year)
Sign into QBO Accountant: “Yes sign me in.” You can use your QBO login for this step, if you use the
MFA login, you will need a verification code sent to Amy’s -0224 mobile)
Choose where to move the QBDesktop file:
On the “Make sure things look right” screen, double and triple check to ensure you have selected
proper client to avoid converting into the wrong company file
Execute the conversion process
You will receive an email when the conversion is complete.
14. Upon first login to QBO, you will see an information screen with details on conversion process (either a
complete success or a prompt that “A few things need to be reviewed”).
Screenshot this page in QBO and download the XLS spreadsheet to the right by clicking the “Full
Migration Details” link
Post both the screenshot (examples below) and the XLS migration detail file in Qount as an internal post.
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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2.
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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3.
Review recurring (called “memorized” in QBDesktop) transactions:
In QBDesktop: Lists > Memorized Transactions List (check settings, update in QBO if necessary)
In QBO: Gear > Recurring Transactions + change any unscheduled transactions reminder to
scheduled, if necessary (1:19:40)
16. In QBO (Accounting > Reconcile) verify that beginning balances on accounts match QBDesktop details. Add a
reconciliation in QBO with matching data, using the last successful reconciliation date in QBDesktop ($0.00
difference, click “Finish now”) so that it has the correct beginning date moving forward. Repeat this step on all
accounts that will be reconciled.
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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17. Set up applicable KZ management report (compilation or prep, as stated in Engagement Agreement).
18. LYNDSEY: Invite the client as an admin user to their new QBO account and request client to connect bank feeds.
19. If client plans to set up additional user roles for their team members, initiate Primary Admin transfer from KZ
MFA login to client’s login so we are not taking up a paid seat (Gear > Manage Users).
Client must have accepted the QBO invite in Step 17 for this transfer option to become available.
Gear > Manage Users: click the three dots next to client’s login > Change primary admin
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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This transfer step requires a verification code to be sent to Amy’s -0224 device to complete and the client
must accept the Primary Admin transfer to be able to remove KZ as Primary Admin. Client can then
remove KZ under Users tab to invite their team member(s).
Note: This applies to the USERS tab only, KZ must always remain as ACCOUNTANT user
20. Differences between QBDesktop and QBO Sales tax to be aware of (01:39:00 – Slide 108)
QuickBooks Desktop sales tax shows up on the items list
QuickBooks Desktop sales tax items convert as custom rates
QuickBooks Online sets up a sales tax liability account for each QuickBooks Desktop sales tax agency
In QuickBooks Online, you can use either manual or automated (hybrid) sale tax
QuickBooks Online sales tax agencies are not vendors; they are listed in Sales Tax Center
Note: KZ does not process sales tax through QBO Sales Tax center; no need to map sales tax settings in
QBO.
21. Check inventory balances in QBO (Reports > Standard > Business Overview > Balance Sheet > Date = FIFO
start date 01/01/currentYY) against inventory balances in QBDesktop (Reports > Company and Financial >
Balance Sheet Standard > Date = FIFO start date)
22. Inform manager or onboarding team lead that account has successfully been converted to QBO.
23. Great job, you’re done!!
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
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To begin Migrating data to QBO without using the conversion tool (02:03:22 – Slide 148)
QBO tasks are in green + QBDesktop tasks are in orange
1. Set up a new QBO company
2. Import the lists from QBDesktop into QBO:
Account Listing/Chart of Accounts
Item Listing/Products and Services
Customer Contact List
Vendor Contact List
QBO requires data to be formatted in a particular way to allow import; download a sample XLS file and
configure QBDesktop lists to match this formatting for a successful import by following these steps:
Account Listing/Chart of Accounts Step 2a. In QBO, Gear > Import data > Chart of Accounts, download the
sample file (location is circled in screenshot below); this file will inform the proper formatting when you run the
report in QBDesktop:
Account Listing/Chart of Accounts step 2b. In QBDesktop, Reports > List > Accounting List and customize the
report to add/remove columns as required in the sample file you just downloaded from QBO; right click the
column to drag and drop into desired position; click Excel button > Create New Worksheet in a new workbook;
click Advanced button and turn off the box that says “include QB Export Guide worksheet with helpful advice”
The Account
Listing/Chart of
Accounts excel file
should read:
Account Number
Account Name
Type
Detail Type
Account Listing/Chart of Accounts step 2c. Once you have exported the list from QBDesktop to Excel:
1. Clean up the list in Excel by deleting empty columns added by QBDesktop
2. Copy row 1 of the sample XLS file and paste into the QBDesktop excel file to update the header row
information
3. Delete the following rows because they are already in the new QBO company file:
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Inventory
Undeposited Funds
Retained Earnings
Sales Tax Payable
4. Save this file as Chart of Accounts in Excel
5. Then fill out Detail Type column on each row to be used in QBO (please refer to this spreadsheet located in
the QBO Knowledge Teams channel for Detail Types accepted by QBO)
note: account names can contain a maximum of 100 characters, colons mean subaccounts in QBO and cannot
be used for other purposes, you are limited to 250 accounts for Plus subscriptions.
6. Save this XLS file and import into QBO
2d. Repeat Steps 2a + 2b for Customer Contact List and Vendor Contact List – be sure to customize the report in
QBDesktop to separate out the address; utilize the Sample File downloaded from Gear > Import Lists for each of
these lists and match columns in sample file exactly.
Converting QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online
LAST UPDATED: 07/28/23 LLATTA