Get started with QuickBooks Online

1. Go to QuickBooks Online.
2. Enter your email, user ID, or phone number and select Sign in.
3. Enter the 6-digit code sent to your email or phone.
4. Select Sign in again 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 circle icon in the top right, then choose Manage your Intuit Account.

2. Explore your dashboard

After signing in, you’ll land on your Home dashboard—a snapshot of your business performance.

3. Set up your company

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

4. Connect your bank and credit card accounts

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

Learn how to connect bank and credit card accounts here.

5. Import your data

If you’re switching from another platform or QuickBooks file, you can import key lists like customers, suppliers, stock, and your chart of accounts.

Learn more: Move your lists to QuickBooks

6. Set up VAT

It's easy to add VAT to your invoices and receipts and track how much you owe. Follow the steps below to set up VAT for the first time:

Learn more:

• Set up and manage VAT in QuickBooks
• Set up MTD (Making Tax Digital) for VAT in QuickBooks

7. Customise and send invoices

Create professional invoices tailored to your brand.

8. Add and manage users

You can grant others access to help manage your books.

Learn more: Add and manage users in QuickBooks Online

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

1. Go to Settings, then select Account and settings.
2. Select the Company tab.
3. In the Contact info section, choose Edit.
4. Make changes and select Save, then Done.

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

1. Go to Settings, then select Manage users.
2. Select the user, then Edit.
3. Update their info and select Save changes.

Two tabs: 

• Home (Take me there) 
• Planner (Take me there)

Widgets showing:

• Cash flow
• Profit and loss
• Expenses
• Sales and income
• Bank account balances

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

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

1. Go to Settings, then 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 any time under Account and settings.

Learn more: Edit company settings in QuickBooks

1. Go to Transactions, then Bank transactions (Take me there)
2. Select Connect account
3. Choose 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

No historical data? 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:

• Add and manage customers
• Add and manage suppliers
• Add stock products

1. Go to Taxes, then VAT (Take me there).
2. Select Set up VAT.
3. Fill in the required fields:
   • VAT registration number (9 digits)
   • Tax name and description
   • Tax agency name
   • Start of current tax period
   • Filing frequency
   • Reporting method (cash or accrual)
   • Sales and purchase rates

Learn more: Set up and use VAT in QuickBooks

• Open any invoice and select Customise.
• Choose to edit an existing template or create a new one.

1. Select + New, then select Invoice.
2. Select a customer.
3. Update the invoice date, due date, and terms if needed.
4. Add products and services, quantity, rate, and VAT.
5. Select Save, or choose how you’d like to share it.

You can also save it as a draft or send it directly via email.

Learn more: Create and send invoices in QuickBooks

• Primary admin – full control of the account
• Company admin – full access similar to the primary admin
• Standard user – access based on specific permissions (sales, expenses, banking, etc.)
• Reports only – view-only access to reports
• Time tracking only – can track hours but not access financial data

1. Go to Settings, then select Manage users
2. To add someone, select Add user and follow the steps.
3. To change access or details, select Edit next to their name.
4. To remove a user, select Delete.

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

1. Go to Manage users.
2. Select the dropdown in the Action column.
3. Choose View user activity to access the audit log.

1. Go to the Reports tab.
2. Choose 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:

• Run a report in QuickBooks
• Customise reports in QuickBooks
• Customise your reports with a modern view