Discussion:Quickbooks set up

From TaxAlmanac, A Free Online Resource for Tax Professionals
Note: You are using this website at your own risk, subject to our Disclaimer and Website Use and Contribution Terms.

From TaxAlmanac

Jump to: navigation, search

Discussion Forum Index --> General Chat --> Quickbooks set up

NSS (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
Does any one have a fee schedule for setting up a new client on QuickBooks?

Natalie (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
I usually do it based on an hourly rate because each client has different needs.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
One Million Dollars

Natalie (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
Now I know why you don't do any QBs set ups, Fred.

Jerrykern (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
He's focusing his marketing efforts on the Fortune 100 users of Quickbooks.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
I give special services

Pegoo (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
Happy endings?

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
WE all do waht we have to do to justify our fees pegoo.  ;-)

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
He really only needs one every five years.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
I feel so dirty

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
You are dirty, Fred, that's why you feel like that.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
Oh, kewl beans. In that case, I like dirty.

NSS (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
I am new to this forum, but what is the point if these are the kind of answers given?

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
It always depends on the kind of questions asked, NSS. Your question is the, what does a car cost, kind of question, to which there is NO intelligent response. Where are you, how much experience do you have, what are the client's expectations, is this a one-time gig or an on-going relationship, what do you do normally (i.e. high end work, or more low end?), how hungry/desperate are you right now, how long have you been in business, is this a referral.......you get the idea. So somewhere between zero and Fred's million is about the range. We're not trying to be cute, but your question is too open-ended. Do a search on fees in that yellow box, and you'll see that it's a common question, and so are the answers. It all depends.......

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
Or what JR is saying is that you should make sure your questions have enough information so that we can answer it. Natalies answer was pretty much right on target.

JR's is good too, and the more letters you have after your name means you get to charge more "irregardless" of your actual skill level.

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
LOL. Fred's referring to our on-going dispute over letters and competency...

But give us a bit more info NSS, and we can help out. (If we're in the mood...)

NSS (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
JR1 thanks for the input, you are right my question was too open ended. I will be more specific next time.

NSS (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
That was more friendly,,, thank you

Small consulting business, transferring chart of accounts from MAS 90 to QuickBooks (mid year). Training client on use. they are already familiar with using Quicken. It is an on going relationship, and will entail continuing monthly review and year end work for her corporation, personal and a not for profit she works for. I am a CPA,,, (oh no,, those initials!) Looking for a fair price, if there is such a thing.. thanks. NOW BE NICE!

Belle (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
NSS - once you read some of the old threads, you'll see that there have been discussions that perhaps Fred needs his own forum at times as he has some 'special needs'. We get a bit silly around here at times, especially when the pressure of tax season is off. Stick around tho, and you'll find that Fred, Natalie, and JR will give some of the best answers around (when they choose to be serious....).

And welcome to TA.

Belle (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
NSS - I'm in No. Calif and just had client tell me the bookkeeper he has started using to get him going on QuickBooks charges $ 45/hour. Depending on where you are, that may be really high or really low. Don't forget about 'value billing' - how much is what you are doing worth to the client, even if it only takes you an hour to do the set-up? Good luck.

(PS - we'd appreciate it if you'd complete your profile, to give us an idea of who you are...)

JR1 (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
Where are you? Wait, I can check your profile...or not. Watch out for the Kevin police, he'll send you ticket for not filling that out...here's just my out loud thinking. It's the off season to some degree, just meaning less guns to head right now, so we can be more gentle...If I'm doing it, outside of Chicago, I'm likely to figure my best guess on time at 150 each more or less if I have to flat rate it. Frankly, I farm a lot of this off to others who'll do these setups and training for 30-50 bucks per hour, since I really prefer not to, and feel like charging my rate for it is pretty outlandish. If I'm not real busy, I've done them for $500 flat and felt ok about that if there isn't too much training involved. But that's just me. Natalie does a lot of these, she's in Hawaii. Fred obviously doesn't do many.

Belle (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
(JR, at $ 1 million, he doesn't HAVE to do many)...

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
One is all I need, yet sometimes just doesn't seem like enough <EG>.

And did I just hear about a company switching from MAS90 TO Quickbook?

The question I would have is why? But then again, hey. Toopid toopid clients.

Natalie (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
Fred beat me to this discussion today. I was going to warn you about the MAS 90 to QBs change, NSS. (I guess I didn't get up early enough!)

So, are you just wondering about the set up fees? Or all the other stuff too? The way I would approach it is an hourly rate for the set up, then an hourly rate for several months until I get a feel for the time involved. After several months I would set a flat rate for the monthly stuff. I would also probably quote a range for the annual work. If three clients are involved, then there would be three engagement letters as well.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
What I would do would be to ask why would you eat a hot dog, when you have a nice rib eye sitting in front of you.

Natalie (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
Fred, the food discussion is over in General Chat "Discussion:They got Sweeney Todd"

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

18 June 2009
You trying to tell me you want a Manwich?

Natalie (talk|edits) said:

June 18, 2009
Noooooo.

Southparkcpa (talk|edits) said:

19 June 2009
NSS

Don't mind these unruly veteran posters. Most are very good, clearly thet are not over tax season just yet. Then again, hard to explain Fred.(lol)

That said, a mid year set up can be a bear. Inputting outstanding checks so the bank rec works, open A/R and A/P can all add time. I usually do this in 2 visits and try to get the client to do some work, For example, 1st visit I set up the trial balance. Run the P and L, BS etc.... make sure all looks OK.


I then print out the AR and AP detail and ask the client to key that in. (It's me at say 150 an hour or them). They usually do it.


I then go back, remove my "suspense" entries that balanced the TB until the AR was input. I then ALWAYS do the first bank rec to make sure all is OK.


I charge no less than $150 an hour and usually it is about 2 to 5 hours depending if there are O/S checks, A/R etc...

JR1 seems to be about the same "temperment as me" on this issue. I haven't done one in quite a while BUT I have found that these "yahoo's" at 40 an hour are not that swift and can't get the OS checks, AR and AP right.

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

19 June 2009
Matt is correct. Always have a written plan when you do these. Again, not sure why you would go from MAS90 to Quickbooks, but hey, whatever.

Anyway, have a written implementation plan. MAS90's set-up and implementation guide is a good one to use for any transition. Gives step by step instructions on what to do for each type of module <AP, AR, Sales Order, Inventory, etc>

Go through those plans and customize it for your system downgrade. Look through steps and procedures, then discuss with client who will do what.

Like Matt said, this stuff should be anywhere from $100 to $150 an hour. And 2 to 5 could be low if there is inventory to track and input.

Clients need to understand they get what they pay for. And they will pay either way. Get someone inexperienced or inefficient and the GIGO rule kicks in big time.

Interested here to know what kind of business this is and what modules they are using?

Do you have a thorough understanding of their business model and what they need to generate from Quickbooks <uggghhh> to run their business efficiently?

What is their annual revenue?

Did I say Ugh yet?

To join in on this discussion, you must first log in.