moving balance (creating an "opening balance" ?) in income and expense accounts into QB desktop from another program

Hi @Kehn Construction,

Thank you for posting here in the Community. I'm here to provide some clarification about  

There are specific data you can convert from the old current accounting software to QuickBooks. The only way to import balances is to run the four supported financial reports.

Here's the list:

• Balance Sheet
• Trial Balance (Only Account closing Balances will be imported)
• A/R Aging detail (Name, Amount, Document Number, Date and Due Date)
• A/P Aging detail (Name, Amount, Document Number, Date and Due Date)

If the third-party program provides the data via MS Excel file, you can import through these steps:

1. Go to the File menu, select Utilities then Import and then Excel Files.
2. If you get the Add/Edit Multiple List Entries window, click No.
3. Follow the wizard in importing files.

If you need further assistance, I recommend you proceed with contacting our QuickBooks Support Team. They have the necessary tools to help you in a more secure environment.

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 the necessary details, then tap Search.
5. Click on Start a Message.

Also, to determine if you can use journal entries to apply the balances, I recommend seeking expert advice from an accountant. This way, we'll be able to ensure you select the correct accounts when performing the process.

For more information, as well as how to import MS Excel files, I recommend the following articles:

• Switch from a different accounting software to QuickBooks Desktop.
• Import or export MS Excel files

Drop me a comment below if you have any other questions. I'll be happy to help you some more.

@Kehn Construction 

You may utilize one importer tool to help your migration process.

https:// transactionpro.grsm.io/qbd

https:// partners.saasant.com/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5051_2

Importer will bring in all the historical transactions as well but below are some tips on how to bring in your opening balances.

Customer Accounts Receivable

* First import your customer list to QuickBooks with the importer tool
* Set up a default item in QuickBooks that uses an account called Opening Balance Equity. This is so the credit side of the entry does not post to sales but to a balance sheet account. You will provide this value in the tool mapping as a static value next to the QuickBooks field, Item.
* You can then import all the open invoices as of the start date of the QuickBooks company file using the Invoice import. If you wish you can bring in detailed line items or you can just have one line for each invoice with the total amount.

Customer Open Estimates and Open Sales Orders

* Follow the same steps as outlined above under Customer Accounts Receivable.

Vendor Accounts Payable

* First import your vendor list to QuickBooks with the importer tool
* Set up an equity account in QuickBooks called Opening Balance Equity. This is so the debit side of the entry does not post to expenses but to a balance sheet account. You will provide this value in the tool mapping as a static value next to the QuickBooks field, Expense Account. If you use items on your vendor transactions follow the same steps as in the Accounts Receivable section above.
*You can then import all the open bills as of the start date of the QuickBooks company file using our Bill import. If you wish you can bring in detailed line items or you can just have one line for each invoice with the total amount.

Vendor Open Purchase Orders

* Follow the same steps as outlined above under Vendor Accounts Payable.

Inventory Quantity on Hand

* First import your item list to QuickBooks with the importer tool
* Import your Quantity on Hand and Values using the import type, Inventory Adjustment.

Other Balance Sheet Accounts

* When you first start the new QuickBooks company file you should first import the chart of accounts
* Run a trial balance or balance sheet as of the last closed period and subtract out any balances already in the new QuickBooks company file to calculate the remaining balances to be imported.
* Import these remaining balances as journal entries using the tool.

Good luck!