If your church or nonprofit uses QuickBooks Desktop, recent updates from Intuit will impact your software choices in the coming months. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of these changes and ensure your financial records remain secure and efficient.
Important Dates and Changes to QB Desktop Subscriptions
Intuit is moving away from the traditional one-time purchase model for its Desktop products (like QuickBooks Desktop 2020). This means you can no longer buy one-time, stand-alone versions of QuickBooks Desktop. All new purchases will be subscription-based, even for Desktop clients. While this shift may be surprising for some, it aligns with Intuit’s broader move to offer ongoing support, updates, and features via subscriptions rather than one-time purchases.
QB Desktop Subscriptions Changes
As of September 30, 2024, Intuit is no longer selling new subscriptions for the following QuickBooks Desktop subscription products in the US:
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Mac Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced Payroll
No new subscriptions are being sold since the deadline passed. Additionally, while QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is still available for purchase after September 30, 2024, it comes at a significantly higher cost. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise subscriptions start at $1,922 per year, which may be more than most small to medium-sized churches need or are willing to spend. Intuit will continue to provide product updates, security updates, and customer support for current subscribers.
The Risks of Using Non-Subscription QuickBooks Desktop Without Security Updates
If your organization uses a non-subscription version of QuickBooks Desktop (such as QB Desktop 2019, etc.), you will not receive critical security updates, leaving your financial data vulnerable.
For churches and nonprofits using non-subscription versions, the absence of security updates after September 30, 2024, presents significant risks:
- Data Breaches: Without security patches, your financial records are vulnerable to cyberattacks, potentially exposing sensitive information like donations and payroll data.
- Ransomware: Outdated software is a prime target for ransomware, which could lock you out of your financial records until a ransom is paid.
- No Support: Intuit will not provide support for non-subscription versions, leaving you on your own to address any issues.
Should You Switch to QuickBooks Online?
Migrating to QuickBooks Online offers several benefits:
- Cloud-Based Access: Your team can access financial records from anywhere, allowing for easier collaboration between church leaders, bookkeepers, and auditors.
- Automatic Updates: QuickBooks Online ensures you always have the latest version of the software, reducing security risks.
- Integration with Other Services: QuickBooks Online integrates with more third-party apps than QuickBooks Desktop, making it easier to manage donations, payroll, and budgeting in one place.
A Cost-Saving Advantage for 501(c)(3) Organizations
One of the key benefits for churches and ministries with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is that they can access a deeply discounted QuickBooks Online subscription. Through TechSoup, a nonprofit technology marketplace, 501(c)(3) organizations can get a QuickBooks Online subscription for under $100 a year. This is a significant saving when compared to the cost of QuickBooks Desktop subscriptions, which are typically priced much higher:
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus: Costs approximately $349.99 per year (subscriptions to this will no longer be sold after Sep 30th, 2024).
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus: Costs approximately $549.99 per year (subscriptions to this will no longer be sold after Sep 30th, 2024).
- QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Costs around $1,922 per year.
- QuickBooks Online Annual Subscription: Plans start at $422 per year.
- QuickBooks Online Annual Subscription Through Tech Soup: Costs under $100 per year.
How Good Shepherd Bookkeeping Solutions Can Help
Navigating these changes may seem daunting, but our team is here to help churches and ministries transition smoothly. With our expertise in QuickBooks Online, we can:
- Evaluate Your Current Setup: We’ll review your current QuickBooks Desktop usage to determine how best to migrate your data and processes.
- Facilitate the Migration: Our team handles all the details to get your books transferred to Quickbooks Online.
- Ongoing Support: We can provide training and support to help you make the most of your new QuickBooks Online platform.
Act Now
If your church or nonprofit is still using QuickBooks Desktop, now is the time to start thinking about the best place to maintain your financial records in light of these upcoming changes With the upcoming changes, upgrading to QuickBooks Online offers greater flexibility and security.
Don’t wait until the last minute! Contact us today to learn more about our migration services and take the next step toward a more efficient financial management solution for your ministry.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should our church switch to QuickBooks Online?
QuickBooks Online offers several benefits, including cloud-based access, automatic updates, better integration with other tools, and significant cost savings—especially for 501(c)(3) organizations, which can get an annual subscription for under $100. Additionally, QuickBooks Desktop is moving to a subscription-only model, and non-subscription versions no longer receive security updates as of September 30, 2024.
2. What are the risks of staying on a non-subscription version of QuickBooks Desktop?
If you continue using a non-subscription version of QuickBooks Desktop, you aren’t receiving critical security updates, leaving your financial data vulnerable to breaches, ransomware attacks, and compliance issues. Additionally, Intuit no longer provides support for these versions, which could leave you struggling to resolve any issues that arise.
3. How does the cost of QuickBooks Online compare to QuickBooks Desktop?
For 501(c)(3) organizations, QuickBooks Online can cost less than $100 a year through TechSoup. In contrast, QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus costs around $349.99 per year, Premier Plus around $549.99 per year, and Enterprise starts at $1,922 per year. Switching to QuickBooks Online can result in significant savings.
4. What happens on the September 30, 2024 deadline?
After September 30, 2024, Intuit will no longer sell new subscriptions for QuickBooks Desktop products (except for the Enterprise version). If you’re currently using a non-subscription version, you will also stop receiving security updates, which increases the risk of data breaches and other security issues.
5. How can Good Shepherd Bookkeeping Solutions help with the migration?
We offer a full range of services to help churches and nonprofits transition to QuickBooks Online smoothly. Our team can assess your current setup, facilitate data migration, set up custom reports, and provide training and ongoing support to ensure you get the most out of your new system.
6. Will my data be safe during the migration process?
Yes, our team takes every precaution to ensure that your data is transferred securely and accurately. We have extensive experience with data migrations and will work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition without data loss.
7. How long does the migration process take?
The migration process can vary depending on the complexity of your current setup, but our team aims to make it as quick and painless as possible. We’ll work with you to create a timeline that minimizes disruption to your day-to-day operations.
8. What if our staff is not familiar with QuickBooks Online?
Good Shepherd Bookkeeping Solutions offers comprehensive training and support to help your team get up to speed with QuickBooks Online. We’ll guide you through the features and tools, ensuring that your staff feels confident and capable in using the new system.
