2009Legal / Business Practices forum
Accounting software options for Mac users and QuickBooks Mac compatibility considerations
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- QuickBooks for Mac functions reliably for multiple businesses including those with job cost accounting, provided the accounting needs are not overly complex.
- QuickBooks Mac has limitations with payroll processing when managing more than approximately 10-15 employees, whereas the PC version handles this more smoothly.
- When using QuickBooks Mac with a small number of employees, payroll can be managed through memorized transactions set up by an accountant rather than using the payroll add-on.
- QuickBooks Mac can access files across a network via Mac Server or VPN without issues.
- QuickBooks Mac files can be exported in Windows format and sent to accountants who use PC-based systems.
- Direct bank connections (rather than web connect downloads) availability varies by bank and should be verified before purchasing QuickBooks Mac.
- Running QuickBooks PC through virtualization software like Parallels on Mac is feasible as an alternative, with good performance on Intel-based Macs.
- Using cloud-based QuickBooks Online accessed through virtualization enables real-time collaboration between bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners on the same files.
- Finding a Mac-compatible accountant and QuickBooks Certified Consultant is valuable for support and file management.
Depends on
- Discussion involves QuickBooks versions from 2009 and may not reflect current software capabilities.
- Payroll limitations mentioned apply to older QuickBooks Mac versions.
- Bank direct connect availability depends on individual financial institutions.
- Cloud-based QuickBooks Online functionality and performance details reflect practices from approximately 2009.