Move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online

A Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor moves your Desktop file to QuickBooks Online, checks that balances match before and after, sets up bank feeds and GST/PST, and walks you through the new file online.

Tell PapaRob what you need

A few lines is plenty. You will hear back within one business day.

Rather talk? Call (825) 445-3246.

Why businesses are moving to QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online runs in your browser and on your phone, so your books are there wherever you are, with no server or single office computer to look after. Bank and credit card feeds bring transactions in automatically, and you can give your bookkeeper and your accountant their own access instead of passing a file back and forth. Intuit has also changed how it sells Desktop in Canada: QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier are no longer available to new subscribers, while Enterprise is still sold. If you are on Desktop today, now is a good time to plan the move.

What moves over and what doesn't

According to Intuit, most of your company file comes across without re-entering it: your customer and supplier lists, your transactions, your chart of accounts and your account balances. Some things work differently or need to be set up again. Bank and credit card connections don't transfer, so feeds are reconnected in the new file. Custom invoice templates and your payments account don't carry over. Reconciliation history starts fresh, with past transactions marked as reconciled up to the move date. Inventory moves to first-in, first-out costing, with inventory history starting on the day you move. Some payroll details don't convert either. We review your file first and tell you exactly what to expect.

Our migration steps

1. Review

We look through your Desktop file, check its size and history, and list anything that will need extra attention before the move.

2. Clean up

We fix what is worth fixing first: duplicate entries, unused accounts and old items, so you start online with a tidy file.

3. Migrate

We move your file to QuickBooks Online using Intuit's migration tools.

4. Verify balances

We compare the key reports and account balances before and after, so you know nothing went missing.

5. Bank feeds and sales tax

We reconnect your bank and credit card feeds and set up GST and PST tracking in the new file.

6. Walkthrough

We show you around the new file online, so you know where everything is from day one.

New QuickBooks Online setup

Starting fresh instead of moving a file? We set up QuickBooks Online properly from day one: a chart of accounts that fits your business, bank and credit card feeds, GST and PST tracking, and bank rules that save you time every month. See QuickBooks bookkeeping in Langley & the Lower Mainland.

Moving from Xero, FreshBooks or spreadsheets

Not on Desktop? We also move businesses into QuickBooks Online from Xero, FreshBooks or spreadsheets. We bring over your opening balances and the history you need, then check the numbers before you start working in the new file. Happy where you are? We also work in Xero and FreshBooks. Behind on your books before the move? See catch-up bookkeeping.

Then: monthly bookkeeping (optional)

Once you are in QuickBooks Online, we can keep your books current every month: transactions categorized, accounts reconciled and a plain-English report. See virtual bookkeeping for small businesses, or see our plans and get a quote.

Common questions

How long does a migration take?

It depends on the size and history of your file. We'll tell you after a quick review.

Will I lose my history?

We move your history over and check that balances match before and after, so nothing goes missing.

What doesn't convert?

Some items don't carry over from Desktop, such as bank feed connections, custom invoice templates and some payroll details. We review your file first and tell you exactly what to expect.

Do you set up GST/PST?

Yes. We set up GST and PST tracking in your new file.

Can you clean up the file first?

Yes. Cleaning up before migrating gives you a fresh start in QuickBooks Online.

Can you move me from Xero or FreshBooks?

Yes. We can move you from Xero, FreshBooks or spreadsheets into QuickBooks Online.

Bookkeeping Health Check

Tell us where your books are at. We'll send back a straight answer inside 48 hours: what's working, what's broken, and where to start. No pressure, no quote you didn't ask for.

Prefer email? Write to rob@paparobbooks.com.