Can I update an accountant's copy from 2017 to 2020 before i send it back to the client?

Hello there, @fraidenburgm. 

Thanks for reaching out to the Community. I'm here to provide clarification on upgrading your accountant's copy. 

If an accountant makes changes using features that aren't available in the client's version of QuickBooks Desktop, changes will not import to the client's file. This is why you'll need to upgrade your file when you open an Accountant's Copy in a newer version of QBDT.

However, you can still work on the Accountant's Copy using a different version as long as the gap between the versions is just one year, and the accountant has a more recent version. For more information about using the accountant's copy, you can check out this detailed article: Use the Accountant's Copy. 

Feel free to comment below if you have any more questions. I'm always here to lend a hand and help. Take care!

@fraidenburgm 

If your client is using QBD 2017, you may have two options:

1. Purchase a license of QBD Accountant 2018

2. Ask your client upgrading their license 

The client upgraded QB 2017 to QB 2020 directly through QuickBooks. Now the client can't import the changes to the QB17 file because QB17 is no longer on the computer. If the client opens the company file in QB20, can the change file (which is in 17) still be imported?

The client upgraded QB 2017 to QB 2020 directly through QuickBooks. Now the client can't import the changes to the QB17 file because QB17 is no longer on the computer. If the client opens the company file in QB20, can the change file (which is in 17) still be imported?

Nice to see you in the Community page, @VM_Pontes.

I appreciate you for sharing the details with me. Yes, the file can still be imported in your client QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2020 software. You’ll want to have your client upgrade the company file to be able to access it with their newer version of QBDT. You can share these steps with them.

1. Ensure all users are logged out of their company file.
2. Open their new version of QuickBooks Desktop.
3. Select Open or Restore Company if you don't have a company file open. You can also go to the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
4. Click Open a company file, then Next.
5. Browse your computer for your company file. 
6. Sign in to your company file as an admin user.
7. Before you upgrade, QuickBooks automatically creates a backup of your existing company file. Select Change this default location to save the backup in a specific folder.
8. Click Update Now to start the upgrade.
9. When finished, select Done.

I also have here an article that you can share with your client. This can guide them through the complete process in upgrading a company file: Upgrade your company files after switching to a new version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Once done, you might want to tell your client to update their QBDT software to have the latest security features and fixes.

You can always get back to this thread if you have other queries about importing company files in QBDT. I’m just a post away from you. Keep safe!

I had a similar thing happen: My client was using Enterprise 19.0 when my accountant's copy was made.  Then a software update was forced in December and they ended up upgrading directing to Enterprise 21.0.  I have not yet had any success in getting the accountant's changes to import into their company file.  I have called support multiple times, spent hours on the phone while screen sharing, and then support says they'll call me back and then they don't.  Did this method actually work to solve the disconnect between the software versions?

(I am a ProAdvisor so I've got all the years affected here.)

Hi there, gsa11.

You'll need to ensure that the Accountant's Copy and QuickBooks Desktop versions are compatible. If an accountant makes changes using features that aren't possible in the client's version of QuickBooks Desktop, changes will not import to the client's file. That's why you need to upgrade your file when you open an Accountant's Copy in a newer version of QuickBooks Desktop. But, you can still work on the Accountant's Copy using a different version as long as the gap between the versions is just one year, and the accountant has a more recent version. For additional details, you can click this article: Use the Accountant's Copy. This also presents detailed information on the Accountant's Copy with file transfer feature works.

May I ask what specific issue have you experienced when importing the accountant's copy? I appreciate any further details so I can present accurate information.

I've also included an article that will help you delete the restrictions of the accountant's copy. This ensures that you can still send another copy in case of data damage: Remove the Accountant's Copy Restriction.

Let me know if you still have questions about importing an accountant's copy. I'm always here to assist. Keep safe and enjoy the rest of the day!

On Nov 21st, I created an accountant's copy for my client (running ES 19) and sent it to myself to work on (also using ES19).  Around Christmas, I opened QB to continue working on this accountant's copy and was forced to update. Not, I chose to run a software update; it said something like "you may open the software 1 more time before an update will be forced on you".  I tried to do what I needed to in the company file except then it crashed triggering the forced update as soon as I tried to reopen.  I checked my client's software and they received the same message so I advised to them call QB support right away.  I don't know if QB support did the update for them or not, but they definitely did upgrade them to ES21 causing a year to be skipped between the copy that I still have and what they have.  It's been a month now and I am desperate to get the 1,000+ accountant's changes incorporated so that I can reunify the files and just create a brand new accountant's copy to work from on ES21.  My client has also been entering plenty of current stuff (invoices, bills, etc) so we can't just use the backup made for the upgrade.

Hello @gsa11,

Thank you for posting here in the Community. Let me provide some clarification about the QuickBooks Desktop versions.

The 2019 version of QuickBooks Enterprise is still a fully supported product. Your client may have decided to upgrade to a higher version at that time they contacted support.

You can only work on the Accountant's Copy using a different version as long as the gap between the versions is just one year, and the accountant has a more recent version.

Also, since you've contacted support and unable to get a call back, I recommend contacting them again. If you have a case number, that would help streamline the process.

Your case number has the previous agent's notes according to what happened to your issue. This way, you won't be repeating yourself.

Here's how you can reach them:

1. Go to the Help menu of the company file, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Hit the Contact us link.
3. Click Search for something else.
4. Enter Change payment method, then tap Search.
5. Click on Start a Message.

I've attached an article you can use as a reference about the complete list of supported products in QuickBooks: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy and upgrade information.

Leave a comment below if you have other concerns about using QuickBooks. The Community and I will be around to help you.