QuickBooks 2015: Intuit changes the software and the way we use it.

• Author: Eisen, Ilene
• Position: Software overview

In previous years I've taught seminars, webinars and written articles on the latest and greatest new features of QuickBooks. I planned to do the same this year, but it doesn't seem as appropriate to just limit my discussion to features. Along with improving the software, Intuit has changed the way it sells the software-and how CPAs should use it.

Purchasing Desktop QuickBooks Products

In the past we purchased QuickBooks and upgraded to the new version when we chose to. Keeping the software current meant upgrading to the new version at least once every three years to maintain technical support options and access payroll and merchant services. QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions customers could pay an annual fee to renew their Full Service Plan to keep current. The only exception to this rule was QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions users who used Advanced Inventory or Advanced Pricing were required to renew their FSP annually to have access to the add-on solutions.

Desktop Subscription Model Plus Versions

In the last year or so, Intuit has started offering annual subscriptions for QuickBooks Pro (http://quickbooks.intuit.com/pro/), Premier (http: // quickbooks.in tuit.com/ premier) and Accountant (http://accountants.intuit. com/accounting/quickbooks/accountant/). These products include support, backups and upgrades, and are identified as QuickBooks Pro Plus, QuickBooks Premier Plus and QuickBooks Accountant Desktop Plus.

The Accountant Desktop Plus also includes the additional functionality of the Client Collaborator, Accountant Toolbox and Accountant's Copy File Transfer Service.

The subscription products tend to have a slightly lower cost than the traditional desktop products; however, if you fail to renew the subscription, the software will no longer function. You will still have your company file, but no functional software.

Subscription Model QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions

QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions is now limited to an annual subscription (except the Accountant version) with three options: Silver (includes Advanced Reporting), Gold (includes Advanced Reporting and Enhanced Payroll) and Platinum (includes Advanced Reporting, Enhanced Payroll, Advanced Inventory and Advanced Pricing) (http://enterprisesuite. intuit.com/products/enterprise-solutions/ pricing/). Intuit is also exploring the idea of allowing customers to pay on a monthly basis for their annual subscription.

QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions customers who purchased software...