Live Bookkeeper icon on my accounting clients. Is Intuit working with CPA or competing with them?

@MLom  "I was wondering if Intuit is collaborating with CPAs or potentially competing with them."

While QB is still technically accounting software, they do hire tax and accounting professionals for customer support.

Given that their push towards requiring the contact information of employees is obviously an attempt at data mining and marketing to our clients and employees directly, they are also trying to throw their accountant customers under the bus.

So, the answer is basically both.

That said, QB is absolutely also trying to shift towards not involving accountants in the process at all.

I'm sure you've noticed their push towards AI lately.

Thank you so much for your response! I must admit, I was quite surprised to hear that—it’s not at all what I was expecting. Your answer has left me feeling a little concerned. I truly appreciate your time and effort in sharing this with me! 

I want to reassure you that QuickBooks is not in competition with our experts, @MLom. Instead, QuickBooks Live offers online bookkeeping services that connect small businesses with trusted, QuickBooks-certified virtual bookkeepers. I’d be happy to explain how this service can help you.

Depending on your chosen service, our experts can either provide guidance or take the lead on your bookkeeping needs.

With QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted, you have access to knowledgeable bookkeepers who can answer your questions on various bookkeeping topics, including categorization, automation, reconciliation, reporting, and workflow management.

However, if you'd rather have a more hands-off experience, the QuickBooks Expert Full-Service Bookkeeping option pairs you with a dedicated bookkeeper who will update your books and manage your monthly bookkeeping tasks. This way, you can focus on growing your business.

For more information, please click the Get Live Bookkeeping widget in your QuickBooks Online (QBO) account or check out this blog and article:

• Prioritizing QuickBooks Live Assisted Bookkeeping to better partner with you.
• Learn about the QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping service.

While our bookkeepers provide valuable support, you'll be responsible for filing your taxes. For any questions related to tax compliance, specialized accounting, business advisory services, or business operations such as third-party app setup and integration, our QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisors offer expert assistance through our ProAdvisor program.

You can also invite them to manage your account for added support.

Don't hesitate to Reply below if you have questions about this add-on or any other bookkeeping tasks in QBO. I'm here to assist you and answer any inquiries you have.

Dear Jelayca V,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I really appreciate the open communication and the opportunity to clarify this matter.

My concern stems from the potential overlap between the services provided by accounting professionals like me and Intuit's offering of knowledgeable bookkeepers to assist my clients directly with their QuickBooks Online (QBO) queries. It appears that this support may be extended without a specific request from my clients, which raises questions about the boundaries between client relationships and Intuit's services.

As an accounting professional, I strive to provide my clients with personalized guidance, and their trust in me as their primary point of contact is paramount. 

Thank you again for your response and for fostering an environment where these discussions can take place. 

Warm regards,
M Lom

@MLom 

"As an accounting professional, I strive to provide my clients with personalized guidance, and their trust in me as their primary point of contact is paramount."

That is the reason you will always provide more value to your clients than Intuit's Live Bookkeeping.  If you didn't notice, the response you received from @Jelayca V was a scripted response that totally missed the mark.  It's as though they thought you wanted to use their Live Bookkeeping service which you obviously don't. 

Also, I don't think client's would see any cost savings by using Live Bookkeeping.  Here are their rates based on monthly expenses:

$0 - $10,000 = $300

$10,001 - $50,000 = $500

$50,001 + = $700

EDIT: Also, I don't think client's clients

Dear FishingForAnswers - yes Intuit is competing with us CPAs now. It is very disingenuous for the company to imply this service is to HELP bookkeeping professionals by 'taking the more mundane tasks and questions clients have" off of our plates.  Yeah, right.  It is absolutely biting the hand that feeds you to put that advertisement on clients that have accountants, specifically accountants that are paying their subscription fees even!  Intuit has tons of data on its users, accounting firms, etc.  They have the ability to NOT put that advertisement on files that are already connected to a client. The fact that they aren't choosing to do this is an indication to me that they are starting to devalue the accountants who have partnered with them. And yes, their long-term goal is to primarily work directly with businesses and be their accountant vs. having them engage with accounting/bookkeeping firms.  Seriously, how can they say with a straight face that clients won't immediately ask "Then what am I paying you for?" if we tell them to engage in a subscription with QuickBooks Live Expert.