Don't Fall for QuickBooks Online

Ask the Accountant…

Question: My QuickBooks Premier 2018 had an update today. There was an error message about a security risk because of a browser. Now my QuickBooks isn’t working. What now?

Answer: Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 has been the default browser for QuickBooks Desktop. Microsoft stopped its support of Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, and QuickBooks is replacing it with their own internal browser.

The new QB browser is fully supported, which means it is secure and protected against hacks and such. When software is no longer supported by its provider, the software is no longer updated and much more vulnerable to hacks and such. Such is the case with Microsoft Internet Explorer, and why QB is taking this action.

I’m afraid that you are going to have to upgrade to the most recent QB Premier Plus subscription product, which includes the new browser. Do not switch to QuickBooks Online, as you will be prompted to do. QB Premier Plus is payable once a year: currently at $799 per year for one user.

QB wants you in QuickBooks Online (QBO) and will tell you that it is the same as QB Premier. It is not, so don’t fall for that. Be very careful when purchasing QB Premier Plus to make sure you are not purchasing QB Online — it can be hard to tell.

If you are in QuickBooks Premier 2020 or 2021 that you purchased as a one-time product, you will be updated at no additional charge. Premier 2020 will be updated through May 2023. Premier 2021 will be updated through May 2024. When your version does expire, you will need to pay for the subscription. The product will be the same, only the billing will change.

Harriet Gatter is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, a former accounting professor and a former ad specialty distributor of 23 years. She advises ad specialty distributors about using QuickBooks Premier & Enterprise, and SAGE Online to save time, eliminate errors, and correctly account for your business. Her specialty is converting distributors from ProfitMaker, SmartBooks, OrderMaster, AIA, Proforma, and other accounting systems.

HGatter@AccountingSupportLLC.com www.AccountingSupportLLC.com

Please email accounting questions you would like considered for the column to HGatter@AccountingSupportLLC.com with the subject line of "Ask the Accountant".