Changing QB to sage mid year - advice

[Bridget1968]

One of my clients is changing from QB to sage - he has 3 months on QB and wants to start from a specific month on sage, should I get a TB from QB and enter opening balances onto sage and then give the accountants both sets of info at year end???
I have asked for a detailed debtors and creditors list as @ the last month on QB so I can then set all this up on sage???
Never come across this before so I am assuming that this would be the best way forward.

Has anybody any advice on what I will need to do or extra tips to give me - please!

Thank you in advance

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

If there is a way to import all the transactions into Sage I would do that - easier in long run.

You can go for your approach - make sure though that there is full access to the accounts in QB ie. the licence does not expire!

 

[Bridget1968]

Thanks Elaine.

I am not a QB expert but I have been asking around and I dont think there is a way to transfer details into sage... but of course if anyone knows different I would be happy to hear.

The QB is held by their previous bookkeeper therefore she has supplied a detailed T.B. which we have on record, but the actual software is held be her as I am assuming it was her own.

 

[Accounting Solutions]

the owner of QB should have a licence. QB licences dont expire you can use it forever and set up as many businesses as you want, unlike Sage. You can export transactions from QB in csv format then you can import to Sage, but you would have to know how to import data into Sage.

I did this the other way around a few years ago Sage to QB all I did was input all the transactions in by hand, didnt take that long, plus I found all the errors that were in Sage

hope this helps

Regards,
Jodie

Accounting Solutions
www.accounting-solutionsuk.com

 

[Bridget1968]

have to admit I am not a whizz at the csv file thing. Maybe I could input the transactions....worth a thought although there are quite a few.

 

[Accounting Solutions]

I would go with your first thought then, as you will always have the first 3 months on QB, just post the TB. Just another thought, to keep their accountant sweet I would speak to them to make sure they are ok/informed of whats happening. You always need to keep a good relationship between bookkeepers and accountants

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

I would cover yourself and tell the accountant and the client your migration approach.

A concern would be that the detailed transactions would need to be available in the future in case of HMRC query etc.

So some method of ensuring these are available needs to be in place.

This may or may not be your responsibility to secure them but I would say it is your duty to point out the risk of not securing them at this stage.

Hope this helps.

 

[jrjsykes]

Far better to transfer all information on to one system even if it means doubling up on some transactions.

Running accounts from two TBs will undoubtably make it more expensive from the accountant at the year end.

I would also recommend keeping a good relationship with the accountant, but please make sure you are not getting charged for every telephone call, email etc. Get a fixed fee quote for the client if there isn't one in place.

 

[Bridget1968]

I have taken all your comments on board and will try to pursue this the best way possible.