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Get started with QuickBooks Online

by Intuit59 Updated 6 days ago

Welcome to QuickBooks Online!

Whether you’re new to QuickBooks or just signing in on a new device, this guide walks you through everything you need to get started — from signing in to setting up your company, connecting your accounts, and customising tools to suit your business.

Not signed up yet? Sign up for QuickBooks Online.


1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online

You can sign in using your email address, user ID, or phone number.

  1. Go to QuickBooks Online.
  2. Enter your email, user ID, or phone number and select Sign in.
  3. If you log in with your email, enter the verification code sent to your email or phone. If you log in with your user ID or phone number, enter your password.
  4. Select Continue to continue.

If you want to switch accounts, select Use a different user ID on the login screen.

Tip: To update your phone number or contact info, select the profile icon in the top right, then select Manage your Intuit Account.

You can update your own email, phone number, user ID, or company info anytime.

  1. Go to Settings Settings gear icon. and select Account and settings.
  2. Select the Company tab.
  3. In the Company info section, select Edit for the information you want to update.
  4. Make changes and select Save, then select Done.

You’ll need admin permissions to change another user’s information.

  1. Go to Settings Settings gear icon. and select Manage users.
  2. To edit a user, select Edit from the Action column.
  3. Update their info and select Save changes.

You may encounter one of the following error messages when signing in or accepting a QuickBooks Online invitation:

  • "The feature you’ve requested is temporarily unavailable"
  • "Reference code 25625"
  • "Access is denied"
  • "Access has been denied for this operation"
  • "Service temporarily unavailable"
  • "Your request couldn't be processed"

To resolve these sign-in problems, please follow the steps below.

Isolate the issue

First, try to determine if the issue is with your browser or device:

  • Use a private browser: Open an incognito window in Chrome or a private window in Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
  • Try a different browser: Switch to a different web browser than the one you are currently using.
  • Use another device: Attempt to sign in on a different computer, phone, or tablet.

Address invitation errors

If you are experiencing an error after accepting an invitation to a QuickBooks Online account, your administrator will need to resend the invitation. Please request that they delete the original invitation and send a new one.

For detailed instructions on this process, please refer to the guide on how to Add and manage users in QuickBooks.


Recover your account

If the issue persists after trying the steps above, you can start the account recovery process for your Intuit Account.


2. Explore your dashboard

Once you sign in, you’ll see your dashboard, which gives you a high-level overview of your business performance.

Two tabs: 

Widgets showing:

  • Cash flow
  • Profit and loss
  • Expenses
  • Sales
  • Bank Accounts

You can customise the layout to suit your workflow. Select Customise layout to:

  • Add or remove widgets
  • Resize and reorder widgets

Personalise your Shortcuts widget to include actions you use often, such as:

  • Creating invoices
  • Reviewing bank transactions
  • Recording bills
  • Setting up customers
  • Checking payroll status

3. Set up your company

You can customise your company settings all at once, or configure them as you go.

  1. Go to Settings Settings gear icon. and select Account and settings.
  2. Work through each tab to:
    • Add your company info
    • Turn on relevant features (e.g. VAT, invoice customisation)
    • Adjust language, billing details, and sales form preferences

When performing key actions (like creating a report) for the first time, a guided setup will appear to help configure your settings. You can revisit or adjust settings at any time under Account and settings.

Learn more: Edit company settings in QuickBooks


4. Connect your bank and credit card accounts

Connecting your accounts lets QuickBooks download and categorise transactions for you.

  1. Follow this link to complete the steps in product Open this link in a new window
  2. Select Link account.
    Note: If this is your first time connecting to an account, select Connect account.
  3. Select your bank and follow the prompts.

If your bank doesn’t support Open Banking, you can upload bank statements manually. Once you’ve connected your bank or credit card account, you can set up bank rules to help speed up the categorisation process.

Learn more: How to connect bank and credit card accounts to QuickBooks


5. Import your data

You can import data from another QuickBooks company or other accounting software — including customer, supplier, stock, and chart of accounts lists.

Learn more: Move your lists to QuickBooks

You can start fresh — it’s optional to import.

Follow the relevant support articles on how to add new customers, suppliers, products and services in QuickBooks:


6. Set up VAT

QuickBooks helps you track VAT on sales and purchases, and prepare for VAT returns.

  1. Follow this link to complete the steps in product Open this link in a new window
  2. Select Set up VAT.
  3. Select your start calculating tax period from the When do you need to start calculating your VAT from?  dropdown.
  4. Select your frequency from the How often do you submit a VAT return to HMRC?  dropdown for your VAT.
  5. Select the VAT accounting scheme.
  6. Enter your 9-digit VAT registration number.
  7. If applicable, select the Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) checkbox, then enter the percentage and registration date.
  8. Select Next, then select OK.

Learn more: Set up and use VAT in QuickBooks


7. Customise and send invoices

Create invoices that reflect your brand and get paid faster.

  1. Open any invoice and select Settings gear icon. Manage.
  2. From the Design dropdown, select to edit an existing template or create a new one.
  1. Select + New or + Create.
  2. Select invoice.
  3. From the Add Customer ▼ dropdown, select a customer.
  4. Review the Invoice date, Due date, and Terms and change them if you need to.
  5. From the Product/service column, select a product or service. You can also select + Add new to create a new product or service right from the invoice.
  6. Enter Qty, Rate, and Amount if needed.
  7. Select an applicable VAT option.
  8. When you’re done, select Save.
    Note: There are several options for saving or sharing the invoice. You may select the appropriate one.

Learn more: Create and send invoices in QuickBooks


8. Add and manage users

Let others help manage your books by giving them access to your account.

Learn more: Add and manage users in QuickBooks

  • Primary admin – full control of the account
  • Company admin – full access similar to the primary admin
  • Standard all access - access based on specific permissions (sales, expenses, banking, etc.)
  • View company reports – view-only access to reports
  • Track time only – can track hours but not access financial data
  1. Go to Settings Settings gear icon. and select Manage users.
  2. To add someone, select Add user and follow the steps.
  3. To change access or details, select Edit from the Action column.
  4. To remove a user, select Delete from the Action column dropdown.

Only the primary or company admin can manage users. Your plan determines how many users you can add.

  1. Go to Settings ⚙️ and select Manage users.
  2. From the Action column ▼ dropdown, select View user activity.

9. Run and customise reports

QuickBooks has a full library of reports that help you monitor your business.

  1. Follow this link to complete the steps in product Open this link in a new window
  2. Select a report type or search by name.
  3. Apply filters to customise your view.

Use the reports to track income, expenses, profitability, and more.

Learn more:


Need more help?

Book a free 1:1 onboarding session

Let one of our product experts take you through a complimentary onboarding session, at a time that works best for you.

We’ll guide you through some initial steps to help get you set up. You’ll also be able to ask any questions you may have, and learn more about features of QuickBooks Online specific to your business needs.

Book your onboarding session here

Sign up for QuickBooks Training

Discover our new series of short, easy-to-follow courses from the QuickBooks support and training team. Learn at your own pace and maximise your QuickBooks experience.

Sign up today


Additional support options

  • Visit the Learn and Support page for videos and how-to guides
  • Join the QuickBooks UK Community to connect with other business owners.
  • Use the Digital Assistant in-product for 24/7 help — just select Help (?) and type your question

If needed, contact our support team for further assistance.

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