Prepare your annual accounts using Workpapers in QuickBooks Online Accountant

1. Go to Clients.
2. Select the client file you wish to work on from the client dashboard.
3. Go to Accounting review or Bookkeeping, depending on your view.
4. Select Workpapers.
5. Select the Year-end taks tab. A list of all your year-end tasks will show, along with status updates. 
6. Review the tasks and action items needed, and mark them as complete.

To help reduce manual data entry and keep records consistent, you can now sync your client’s company details directly from Companies House into QuickBooks.

To sync company details:

1. Go to the Annual accounts tab in Workpapers.
2. If the Company Registration Number (CRN) is missing from your client’s account settings, enter it when prompted.
3. Select Sync with Companies House.
4. A side-by-side comparison will appear. On the left, you’ll see data from Companies House; on the right, the existing information in QuickBooks.
5. Review the details. If everything looks correct, select Sync all data.
6. Once synced, the updated fields will become read-only in QuickBooks to prevent accidental edits.

If changes are made later at Companies House:

• You’ll see a prompt to update the details the next time you access the annual accounts report. Select Go to data sync to review and apply any new changes.
• This helps ensure your records are accurate, reduces manual entry, and adds a layer of security—especially if changes are made without your knowledge.

QuickBooks supports accounting periods longer than 365 days, giving you greater flexibility when working with clients who have extended year ends. When you change the period length in Workpapers, it’s automatically updated in Pro Tax—helping you stay aligned and avoid any gaps or overlaps.

This helps you:

• Avoid overlaps or gaps between accounting periods
• Stay aligned across Workpapers and Pro Tax
• Confidently handle non-standard year ends with less admin

1. Under the status column, select the ▼dropdown arrow. 
2. Select the appropriate status for the task: To do, Waiting, or Done.

1. Select Reorder. 
2. Drag and drop the task to your desired order.

To add a new task, follow these steps:

1. Select + Add.
2. Give the task item a name.
3. Enter the details.
4. Select Save.

You can also copy all existing tasks from your client’s books and into your year-end task list. To do so: 

1. Select + Task from template.
2. Choose the client file. 
3. Select Yes to confirm.

1. Select the ▼dropdown arrow next to the task. 
2. Select ✏️Edit to make changes, or select Delete to take the task off your checklist.

1. Go to the Review and adjust tab.
2. Find the relevant account line.
3. Select the attachment icon to upload a file or paste a link.
4. The attachment will be saved with that account for easy reference.

1. Select the Review and adjust tab. 
2. Next to Accounts, select the ▼dropdown arrow to expand the list of accounts.
3. Select the account total for the current year to get a full list of transactions. 

Switch to Trial Balance View to see debits, credits, percentage changes, and amount changes to the account over the tax year. To reorganise your workspace, select the gear icon.

For these changes to go through, review and accept them. Changes that you accept from the change list will automatically be put into your annual accounts.

1. Select the Annual accounts tab. 
2. Next to the annual account for the current tax year, select the ✏️pencil icon. This will open a form where you can review and edit the account details. 
3. Review each line individually for accuracy. Note, preselected items are mandatory fields. 
4. Select ✏️ Edit to make changes to the following:
   • Directors
   • Authorisation 
   • General information 
   • Principal activities of the company 
   • Statement of going concern 
   • Average number of employees 
5. Select Save. Any changes you make will show in the preview field. 
6. Once you’re happy with everything, select Done.

1. Select the Download button. 
2. Select the file format you wish to download it as. This will save a file to your computer.

1. Go to the Tax mapping tab. 
2. Check each tax line for accuracy. 
3. If you have any unmapped accounts, select Assign tax line. 
4. In the To (line number or name) field, choose the correct tax line for the account. 
5. Select Save.

Do a final review of each tax line to make sure it’s accurate and there aren’t any mistakes. If you need to make changes, select the ✏️pencil icon next to the tax line and make the changes.

1. Go to the Annual accounts tab.
2. Next to the annual account, select Send to Pro Tax.
3. Then, follow this helpful article to file your Corporation Tax return (CT600 form).

QuickBooks will notify you when there are changes in Companies House that may affect your client’s records. This helps keep company data up to date and improves accuracy when preparing year-end accounts.