What is the best way to clean up a mess made by previous bookkeeper?

Hello there, tepuywear.

Welcome aboard to the Online Community. To keep your records in order, let’s undo the previous reconciliation.

The process is a breeze, and I can help accomplish this task. You’ll have to perform the same steps one at a time for each account and transaction.

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Accounting menu and select the Chart of Accounts to open the All Lists page.
2. From there, choose the account you’re working on and then tap the View Register link under the Action column.
   
3. Next, click on the transaction to expand the line.
4. From there, click R to clear it. This allows you to change the status of the transaction.
   
5. Codes indicate the status of the transaction is as follows:
       

   • R - Reconciled.

   • C - Cleared

   • Blank - None of the above
    

6. Press the Save button to keep the changes.
7. Click Yes to approve the action and then hit the Yes menu to confirm that you want to unreconcile the transaction.
   

However, if you’re using the accountant's version, simply use the special reconciliation tool to revert the reconciled entries. The following guide provides an overview on how to correct your transactions: Undo your client’s reconciliations with QuickBooks Online Accountant.

Once you’re done clearing the entries, let’s go ahead and reconcile the account. Check out the Reconcile an account in QuickBooks Online article for detailed instructions. It also contains a video for visual reference.

If you need further assistance while working in the product, post a comment below. I’ll pop right back in to help you. Have a great rest of the day. 

I'm afraid this client's books are beyond rescuing.  What are the pros & cons and other considerations for creating a new QB Online account?  This client uses the bank feed for both banking and credit card transactions and has payroll.  Their books were set up in 2014 by someone who evidently has no accounting knowledge.  There are duplicates of EVERYTHING......  

Let me clarify things for you, @brendacpa.

You'll need to sign-up for a new QuickBooks Online account to create a new account. One company file is equivalent to one subscription.

To put this company under your existing Intuit ID, log into your current company when creating a new account. Click on the Add another company button. From there, you'll only be asked for an Email address and Password. 

If there are duplicate transactions, we can match them inside QuickBooks to fix this. 

1. Look at the downloaded transaction with the Match option in the Action column.
2. Remember the Date, Description, Payee, and amount spent or received.
3. Choose the downloaded transaction to expand the view.
4. Review the Matching records found. 
5. Click the link next to each match to get more details.
6. Make sure this is the correct match. 
7. If this is the correct match, close the open transaction.
8. Click Match.

For more information, feel free to check out this article: Categorize and match online bank transactions in QuickBooks Online.

If you need someone to look into your account, I encourage you to contact our support team. They have the tools to perform the screen sharing session to check your file inside your account. 

Meanwhile, I'll be adding this resource if you've got other QuickBooks concerns such as setting up payments, managing your income and expenses, running reports, etc. Please refer to this article for more details: Community help articles.

Just click the Reply button if you have other concerns managing your QuickBooks account. I'll get back to you right away. Have a pleasant day.

Is there any way we can speak on the phone?  I am more confused now than before, I am sorry to sound so dumb.

Hello @brendacpa,

You can contact our Customer Care Support directly from the Help menu. Let me show you how.

1. Go to Help.
2. Select Contact Us.
3. Enter a few description of your concern in the What can we help you with? field.
4. Click Continue.
5. Chose a channel where you want to connect with our specialists.

With their tools, one of our specialists can work with you with a screen-sharing tool and guide you on how to fix your client's books.

On top of that, I've also included this reference for a compilation of articles you can use while working with us: Help Articles for QuickBooks Online.

If there's anything else that I can help you with, please let me know in the comments. I'll be here to lend a hand.

@brendacpa 

I would recommend to open a new blank QBO account.

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/US

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/us-promo

You may rebuild your book and utilize a tool to migrate any required transactions data from old account.

https:// transactionpro.grsm.io/qbo