Intuit’s recent announcement about QuickBooks Desktop has raised a lot of questions. Some clients are relieved. Others are wondering whether they should still make a change.
Below are the questions we hear most often about moving your books to the cloud. If you don’t see yours here, your advisor is always glad to talk it through.
Q: Do I have to switch from QuickBooks Desktop?
A: No.
In September 2026, Intuit announced that QuickBooks Desktop 2024 will no longer be discontinued in May 2027. Intuit plans to keep the 2024 version updated with security patches, tax compliance, and new features, with no end date.
If you’re on the 2024 version, your software will keep working. Just accept the periodic updates when QuickBooks prompts you.
Q: Then why do you still recommend switching?
A: Because the biggest benefits of cloud accounting were never about Intuit’s timeline.
When your books live on one computer in your office, they’re a record of what happened. When they live in the cloud, they become a tool you and your advisor can use together. We see the same numbers you see, as they happen, without files going back and forth.
That matters. Tax planning is only as good as the information behind it. Current, accurate books mean more timely conversations and fewer surprises.
Cloud accounting also means:
- Access from anywhere, for anyone you choose
- Faster bank reconciliation, so your books stay current with less effort
- No backups to manage and no dependence on a single office computer
Intuit’s decision simply means there’s no rush. You can make this change on your own schedule, with time to do it well.
Q: How do you decide between Xero and QuickBooks Online?
A: We start with how your business runs. For most of our clients, including professional service firms and medical practices, Xero is a natural fit. It’s easy to use, allows unlimited users, and keeps day-to-day bookkeeping simple.
If your business manufactures products or manages significant inventory, QuickBooks Online is often the better choice. Its tools and connected apps are well suited to tracking stock, costs, and production.
Every business is a little different, so we’ll talk through your needs on your discovery call and recommend the platform that best fits.
Q: Is my financial data safe in the cloud?
A: It’s a fair question, and one we hear often.
Both platforms are reviewed every year by an independent audit firm under the SOC 2 standard, and both hold ISO 27001 certifications, an international standard for information security. Your data is encrypted and backed up automatically multiple times a day.
If you’d like to review the details yourself, you can request/review security reports directly at xero.com/us/security/soc-report or https://assurance.intuit.com/.
Q: What does the conversion involve, and how long does it take?
A: Our Client Accounting Services team leads the process from start to finish:
- A short discovery call to understand your current setup
- Preparation, making sure your books are reconciled and up to date
- A cutover date, when you stop using QuickBooks Desktop and begin in the new system
- Conversion, where we move your data and set up your new system
- A setup session to help you get started
The full process takes from two weeks to a month, depending on the complexity of your books and the amount of clean-up required.
Q: When is the best time to switch?
A: Year-end is ideal. Starting the new year on a new system keeps all of 2027 in one place. There’s no splitting the year between two sets of books, which keeps things simpler for you and for tax time.
To start 2027 on a new system, this fall is the time to begin. Our capacity in the months ahead is limited, so an early conversation helps. Set up a call to get started now.
Q: What happens to my historical data?
A: In most conversions, we bring over the last one to two years of transactions. Older records can be converted through a third-party service if needed. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your business on your call.
Some items, such as attachments, budgets, or detailed payroll history, may need to be saved separately or set up again, depending on the platform. We recommend saving older records as PDF or Excel files, so they’re easy to access long after you’ve retired the old software.
Q: What about payroll?
A: Payroll is often the most detailed part of a conversion, because it involves employee records and direct deposit information. We’ll help with your payroll transition, and depending on the payroll provider you choose, they may handle much of the setup. If you run payroll through QuickBooks Desktop, we recommend starting the conversation early.
Q: What does it cost?
A: Conversion services are billed based on the time involved, so the cost depends on your situation. The main factors are:
- The condition of your books, and whether you’d like us to handle any cleanup before converting
- How much history you’d like to bring over
- Payroll and other connected software
- How much training and support you’d like as you get started
We’ll talk through what to expect for your business on your discovery call. You’ll also have a monthly subscription for your new platform.
Q: Will I get help learning the new system?
A: Yes. Most clients tell us Xero is easier to learn than they expected. We typically begin with a setup session, and you can reach out with questions as they come up.
Because your books are online, we can look at the same screen together when a question comes up. That makes support faster and easier than it was with Desktop.
Q: How do I know a QuickBooks update or support call is real?
A: Intuit now delivers QuickBooks Desktop updates through prompts inside the software itself. Be cautious of emails, calls, or texts urging you to download an update, renew a subscription, or call a support number. If you need QuickBooks support, find the number on Intuit’s official website rather than through a search ad or an unexpected message. And if something feels off, your advisor is always glad to help you check.
Q: How will Bland Garvey contact me about a conversion?
A: Your conversion will always be coordinated through your Bland Garvey advisor or our Client Accounting Services team. We will never ask you to send passwords or banking credentials by email, text, or phone. If you receive a message about a conversion that seems unusual, contact your advisor directly, using the phone number you already have for us, before responding.
Q: How do I get started?
Contact your advisor to schedule a discovery call. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
To make the most of the time, it helps to know:
- Which version of QuickBooks Desktop you use
- Whether you run payroll through QuickBooks
- Any other software connected to QuickBooks
- How many people need access to your books
Final Thoughts
Moving your books to the cloud isn’t about keeping up with technology. It’s about having the information you need to make financial decisions with confidence.
When your books are current, we can offer more proactive, real-time guidance, looking ahead with you instead of back at last year. And you can spend less time on bookkeeping and more time on the parts of your business you enjoy.
Whether you’re ready to start now or simply want to understand your options, we’re here to come alongside you.
Reach out to your advisor or call us at (972) 231-2503 to begin the conversation.
The information published on this website is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It should not be construed as accounting, tax, audit, investment, financial planning, legal or other professional advice.
Because every individual’s business’s and organization’s circumstances are unique, readers should not rely solely on information presented in our articles when making financial tax, business, or investment decisions. We encourage you to consult with a licensed or credentialed professional regarding your specific situation before taking action.
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