Sunday, January 17, 2010

What's New in QuickBooks 2010

This article was written by Dick Ginnaty, CPA

clip_image0012010's version of QuickBooks continues to add significant capabilities to the platform.

The major additions are:

· Improved invoice customization

· A redesigned Report Center which shows small samples of the reports making it easier to select the right one.

· Integrating with your scanner to attach images of documents which can be shared with others.

· Adding or editing multiple entries in excel and re-inputing them into QuickBooks.

· An auto signing feature which lets you print a "signed check."  This could be a problem also, so caution should be used in implementing this feature.

· Integration with an e-mail marketing program (for a fee).

· A capability to scan and electronically deposit checks received, saving time and possibly increasing the speed of collection.

The overall thrust of QuickBook's development is integration of the scanning capability and electronic communication. Both are waves that will not be denied, which brings us back to the comment made last year.

The enhancements in QuickBooks 2010 brings up the question of how often should you update your QuickBooks.  The answer is every two years at least.  The reason for the two year maximum between updates is simply that Intuit, the company that produces QuickBooks, does not support versions older than two years. Obviously, you should check out the changes in each version and make the economic decision if the enhancements are worth the update cost.

Good luck and here's hoping it "all adds up" for you.

P.S. If there is any area in accounting or tax that you think needs to be addressed in this column please e-mail me at Ginnatycpa@aol.com and if it is of general interest, I will address it in future columns.