Change the primary admin user

The primary admin is the main user who has access to every part of the QuickBooks account. This user type has the highest level of permissions. They can manage all users and admin tasks. By default, the primary admin is who set up the account.

If you need to change the primary admin, here’s how to transfer this role to another QuickBooks user.

Change the primary admin

You can transfer the primary admin role to an existing QuickBooks user. Or, if the person isn’t a QuickBooks user yet, add them as a new user with the company admin role. Then, transfer the primary admin role to them after they’re added and have accepted the invite.

You must be able to sign in as the primary admin to transfer the primary admin role. If the current primary admin is no longer with the company, you can request to be the primary admin. Here’s how to transfer the role to an existing user.

Note: If you’re an accountant, you must be the primary admin of your firm to change the primary admin role in a client’s account.

QuickBooks Online

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online as the current primary admin. If you can’t sign in, you can recover your user ID or password.
2. Go to Settings and select Manage users.
3. Find the user you want to make the primary admin.
4. In the Role column, make sure they are listed as Company admin. If they’re not, select Edit from the Action column to change their role to admin.
5. Select the ▼ dropdown from the Action column. Then, select Make primary admin.
6. Select Change primary admin to confirm the change.
7. Sign out of QuickBooks.

Note: The option to transfer the primary admin is only available if the incoming user is already a company admin. The new primary admin doesn’t need to do anything as the experience is seamless.