Best Sequence of Converting QBO to QBDT?

.Hello there, @TheProuddad. 

Please know that when you convert your data from QuickBooks Online to the Desktop version, things may look different after you transfer your data. This is because the two products have different features.

In this case, once you import the transactions from your checking account to QBDT, you'll have to undergo the process of approving and moving them to the account register (if necessary/needed). With that, the unapproved transactions won't be transferred to QuickBooks Desktop. You can approve them before moving them to the new system.

From the new one, it needs to reconcile the account again. If there are missing transactions, you can simply manually add them to the system. Still, Utilize the Profit and Loss and Balance sheet reports as a reference when manually recording the missing ones.

You can refer to this article for the complete steps about moving your data from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop: Export and convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop.

You'll want to explore our QuickBooks Desktop Help Articles to learn more about the product: Learn QuickBooks. 

Please let me know if you have other concerns or need additional help with this matter, TheProuddad. Take care and stay safe.

Thank you for your thorough response, @SarahannC .   

Does it make a difference whether I convert QBO to QBDT before approving the transactions that are not yet in the account registers versus approving the transactions prior to converting the data?

Thank you @Mark_R.  This is very helpful.