Is QuickBooks Desktop a thing of the past?
It’s becoming increasingly hard to find for purchase, leading many to wonder about its future. QuickBooks Online (QBO) is heavily promoted, with sales representatives often questioning why potential buyers haven’t switched. Intuit’s email campaigns have stirred up speculation, leaving some people wondering if QuickBooks Desktop is dead.
But let's clear the air: No, QuickBooks Desktop isn't dead—yet. It's still very much alive and kicking. However, there have been significant changes. Starting September 30, 2024, new customers won't be able to subscribe to QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Mac Plus, or Enhanced Payroll. Despite this, QuickBooks Enterprise remains available and is positioned by Intuit as a robust solution for the midlevel market.
Customers currently using QuickBooks Pro/Premier can continue with their existing subscriptions, but it's important to note that Intuit has ceased investing in these products. This means no new features will be introduced, and significant price hikes may be implemented to encourage businesses to transition to other solutions. While Intuit currently provides patches, support could be discontinued at any moment.
For new businesses, purchasing Pro/Premier will be unavailable after September 30, 2024, effectively limiting access to those already subscribed. Businesses should also be cautious as staying on this platform carries risks—such as subscription termination if payment details aren't updated promptly.
If you're currently using QuickBooks Pro/Premier, I recommend considering a switch to QBO or QuickBooks Enterprise, depending on your business needs. Particularly if you handle payroll through QuickBooks Pro/Premier, transitioning to QuickBooks Enterprise Gold may reveal minimal cost differences or potential savings. Consult your accountant for guidance on navigating the QuickBooks landscape and transitioning to QuickBooks Enterprise, as Intuit's support team strongly advocates for QBO subscriptions.
Fortunately, QuickBooks Enterprise remains robust and fully supported, offering ongoing feature updates due to its extensive customer base, ensuring its longevity. Despite its strength, acquiring a subscription for QuickBooks Enterprise directly from Intuit can be quite challenging. It continues to excel with features not yet available in QuickBooks Online without additional app purchases, solidifying its appeal for numerous businesses as a superior solution.
For those currently using QuickBooks Pro/Premier, exploring alternative solutions is also a viable path. While there are numerous options available, switching entails challenges such as retraining staff to adapt to new software. Additionally, the current shortage of accounting personnel favors those skilled in QuickBooks, simplifying the hiring process. Moreover, transitioning may result in data accessibility issues.
Choosing the right solution requires careful evaluation and consideration of various factors. Contact a member of the MarksNelson Client Accounting and Advisory Services team to discuss the optimal choice tailored to your specific needs.
The information in this blog was sourced from the latest Scaling New Heights conference, hosted by Woodard.
