It is quite a commonly observed phenomenon that no software or system is built to fit exactly into our needs. The various manufactures keep the needs of varying business sectors in their mind and then launch their products or services in the market. Accounting has a similar story.
QuickBooks is an easy accounting initiative from Intuit, providing various editions and versions for users to find the closest match to their accountancy needs. These versions also include a number of industry-specific editions that have been developed while keeping in mind the common terms and procedures of accounting used by these firms.
But the question is: Is that sufficient?
Most of the small business organizations prefer customization for establishing a channel that is the perfect fit for the management of their business finances. With easy QuickBooks customization steps, small business accountants can accomplish all their objectives and goals if they bind themselves to work with the prepared checklist and scheduled plans.
Here are the steps to effective customization:
1. Customize the Icon Bar of QuickBooks
QuickBooks offers a great customization interface to its users. Accountants can customize the icon bar in their own way. The most frequently used icons or functions can be placed in the icon bar. This will save time and effort in selecting them from various different menus every time the need arises.
2. Gmail with QuickBooks
QuickBooks offers the great facility of integrating Gmail account with its functionality. Due to this, various transaction details and invoices can be sent via mail directly. The complete address book containing customer details can be imported in Gmail easily.
With this, there is no need to perform mailing tasks separately. Accountants just need to perform the transaction and select the mail option to go ahead.
3. Edit QuickBooks ‘Preferences’
QuickBooks offers editing of preferences as well. This feature allows users to edit the ‘Preferences’ tab easily. The jobs which you perform most can be added in the preference list like Edit, Save, Save As, New File, Print, Email, etc.
These are the options that are frequently used by the users. This saves a lot of time that is otherwise spent on hovering to other tabs. With this, all preference tasks can be performed using only one tab.
4. Customize the Labels of Accounts in QuickBooks
Customization of labels can be done easily in QuickBooks. Various labels can be created like Assets, Liabilities, Revenue, Expenditures, Owner’s Equity and Daily Transactions, etc. Various commands and options can be easily found in a modular manner through these labeled accounts.
5. Use the QuickBooks Easy Step Guides
By using the videos and guides within the QuickBooks, accounting professionals can easily learn how to operate this software in a more useful manner.
QuickBooks is vast software and has structured while keeping in view the needs of various types of customers, big or small. Thus, to take out more from QuickBooks, it is very important to read the guide completely.
6. Utilize QuickBooks Memorized Transaction
Use of QuickBooks Memorized Transaction helps keep a record of all the transactions, including bills, checks, daily entries, etc. Track recurring payments, manage cash flow, and memorize reports by selecting Edit > Memorize or type Ctrl+M. It helps automate data entry and boost efficiency.
7. Host QuickBooks on the Cloud
QuickBooks desktop can be hosted on the cloud servers of the third-party hosting provider. It offers many flexibility and mobility advantages.
QuickBooks Hosting, also known as hosted QuickBooks allows users to access the application from any remote location and collaborate with the teammates in real-time. Scalability and pay-as-per-usage pricing plans offer a significant cost-saving advantage.
Additionally, business data is regularly backed-up at cloud servers that can be retrieved easily in case of any data loss from local servers. The hosting provider takes care of the data migration to the cloud.
8. Integrate QuickBooks with Third-party Add-ons
QuickBooks can be integrated with various third-party applications that improve the functionality of the application. Some of the most useful add-ons for QuickBooks are:
- Fishbowl Inventory for inventory management
- SmartVault for document storage
- com for billing
- QuickBooks Time for time tracking
- Method CRM for customer management
Wrapping Up
QuickBooks is a powerful application that can ease the accounting tasks for SMEs by manifolds. It is crucial to get accustomed to the features of QuickBooks and customize it as per the business preference before starting to work on it. It further goes a long way and helps boost productivity and efficiency.