A Comprehensive Guide to QuickBooks Pro Desktop: Features and Benefits

Let’s start with an analogy - 

You've recently discovered a new passion for baking and are ready to dive into the world of creating mouthwatering treats. However, instead of starting with a simple recipe, you stare at a complex, multi-tiered cake recipe that requires advanced techniques and a pantry full of specialized ingredients. Does it seem daunting?  

Starting with the right tools can make all the difference in managing your finances. Just like starting with a basic recipe allows you to understand the fundamentals of baking, beginning your accounting journey with a basic software version gives you the foundation you need to master the financial magic that lies ahead. This is where QuickBooks Desktop Pro stands as the entry-level version of the renowned QuickBooks desktop lineup.  

By starting with this basic version of QuickBooks accounting software, you can unlock a world of benefits that will help you understand your business's financial health and pave the way for future growth.  

Before you get into the depth of a QuickBooks Pro Desktop tutorial, let's explore why leaping into the world of accounting software with QuickBooks Desktop Pro is a wise choice. 

5 Features Behind the Rising Popularity of QuickBooks Desktop Pro  

Accounts Payable and Receivable 

With QuickBooks Desktop Pro setup, you can easily enter and track all your bills, whether for supplies, services, or other business expenses. This will help you avoid digging through stacks of paper or searching spreadsheets and keep everything organized in one convenient place.   

Regarding Accounts Receivable, the software also allows you to create professional invoices for your customers effortlessly. You can customize them to reflect your brand, add important details, and even include payment terms and due dates. You can even track each invoice's status and know who has paid and who still owes you money.  

Banking management  

This feature can be quite useful for you to streamline your banking operations and keep your cash flow in check. It allows you to integrate multiple bank accounts into the software, thus preventing you from juggling between different banking platforms or assessing multiple statements. With just a few clicks, you can connect various bank accounts, credit cards, and payment platforms to QuickBooks Pro.   

The software goes the extra mile by maintaining a detailed log of all your transactions. You can see every financial move recorded precisely, whether it's deposits, withdrawals, or transfers. It also provides a user-friendly interface to compare the recorded transactions with the bank statements.  

Advanced reporting 

Suppose you are up for gaining valuable insights into your business's financial health and making strategic decisions. In that case, you will benefit from this feature once the QuickBooks Pro Desktop setup is complete. It puts the power of diverse financial reports right at your fingertips.   

Whether you need a P&L statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, or any other report tailored to your specific needs, this feature has covered you. It may seem like a dedicated financial analyst available on demand and ready to crunch the numbers to present you with a clear picture of your business's performance. You can sort and filter information, add or remove columns, and apply different date ranges. 

• Quick customer support

We all know that even the smoothest software experiences can sometimes hit a bump or two. That's where you need efficient customer support to save the day. You might encounter a bit of a wait time when reaching out for assistance during peak hours. But otherwise, the support system should be well-defined and easy to reach.   

For your benefit, QuickBooks Pro Desktop offers an extensive range of customer support options to ensure you get the help you need when you need it. These include live chat support with a knowledgeable representative and a phone call facility to give them a ring and speak directly to a support agent. They're there to lend an ear, help troubleshoot problems, and provide personalized assistance. 

Third-party add-on integration 

QuickBooks Pro also provides a seamless platform to integrate a wide range of third-party add-ons. These add-ons are developed to offer specialized features and functionalities that complement QuickBooks. It's like adding extra superpowers to your accounting software.  

Whether you need to streamline inventory management, enhance payroll capabilities, or integrate with e-commerce platforms, a third-party add-on can do the job. Integrating them with this desktop software is quite easy. This will expand the capabilities of this software without the need for complex customization or coding. 

The flexibility to integrate third-party add-ons also empowers you to tailor the software features to your specific needs. You can cherry-pick the add-ons that best align with your requirements. 

Checkout this latest blog to discover in-depth insights on QuickBooks Desktop Pro details : QuickBooks Desktop Pro Review: Features and Pricing

 

Why Should You Compare QuickBooks Pro Desktop Vs. Online?  

QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Online can be considered two popular versions of this software offered by Intuit. While both serve the purpose of helping businesses manage their finances, they have some key differences that cater to different user preferences and business needs. 

To help you understand the distinctions between the two, let's compare QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Online side by side in the following table: 

 

 

QuickBooks Pro 

QuickBooks Online 

Deployment 

Installed on a local computer 

Hosted on the cloud server 

Accessibility 

On the computer it is installed 

Accessible from any device using authorized user credentials 

Collaborative Features 

Limited collaboration options; primarily designed for single users or small teams 

Enhanced collaboration features as multiple users can access and work on the same company file simultaneously 

Automatic Updates 

Requires manual software updates 

Automatically updated with the latest features and improvements 

Data Storage 

Local storage on computer 

Cloud storage with automatic backups 

Pricing Structure 

One-time purchase, with additional fees for upgrades 

Subscription-based, with different pricing tiers and features 

Features 

Offers robust features for managing finances, reporting, and inventory 

Provides a wide range of features, including bank reconciliation, invoicing, expense tracking, and integrations with third-party apps 

Offline Access 

Full functionality without an Internet connection 

Some features require internet connectivity 

In case your business requirements are more aligned with the QB Desktop Pro but you also want cloud benefits, you can host it on third-party cloud servers. For instance, you can hire Ace Cloud for their reliable cloud hosting solutions with a 99.995% uptime guarantee.   

It's also important to evaluate your business needs and preferences before choosing between QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Online. Consider factors like mobility, collaboration requirements, budget, and the desired level of customization to make an informed decision that best aligns with your specific needs.