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Mo_Latimer
Level 2

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

I'm new to providing bookkeeping to clients, but using QBO. 

 

I have two clients who are self-employed (realtor, financial manager) but I was advised by customer support to use the Essentials version. 

 

Does it matter?  Or will I get the same info with either one? 

 

What do you advise?  

Solved
Best answer November 18, 2018

Best Answers
qbteachmt
Level 15

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

"when is the SE program the correct choice?"

 

For someone tracking Sched C data and doing it for their own Sched C.

View solution in original post

Malcolm Ziman
Level 10

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

QBSE is designed for someone who uses the same bank account and/or c/card for personal and business, and has no interest in reconciling or even tracking the bank balance

View solution in original post

10 Comments 10
john-pero
Community Champion

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

SE is stripped down, not even double entry, no balance sheet, no vendor management, very poor choices for the two industries you mention. Essentials should be your minimum choice. If either need to manage projects or locations you will be better off going to Plus. 

Mo_Latimer
Level 2

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

Thank you for your reply.  I'm am still wondering... when is the SE program the correct choice? 

 

 

john-pero
Community Champion

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

When? Or when not?

Not when you have payroll

Not when you have multiple assets to manage and track

Not even when you  have multiple vehicles

Not when you want to enter bills to pay later

 

It is even advertised by Intuit as being for the uber driver, musician, artist, other uncomplicated sole proprietor

Rustler
Level 15

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

QBSE does not allow for any new accounts (categories) to be created
QBSE does not have a balance sheet so you can not enter the cost or the depreciation for a car/equipment
QBSE does not do inventory or cost of goods sold
QBSE can not do payroll
QBSE does not do any associated IRS forms, like home office deductions or depreciation

 

QBSE does not do sales tax either (not schedule C related but critical to a business)

 

Anyone who owns a business  which is not taxed as a corporation, is self-employed, why intuit thinks there is a difference is a mystery probably based on advertising

Mo_Latimer
Level 2

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

Thanks for summarizing.  I appreciate your feedback. 

qbteachmt
Level 15

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

"when is the SE program the correct choice?"

 

For someone tracking Sched C data and doing it for their own Sched C.

Mo_Latimer
Level 2

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

Thank you.  I have come to understand that if all they want to track is the basics for the Schedule C, then SE is helpful and more like a "tool" for completing the form.  It seems pretty limited beyond that use.  Appreciate your reply. 

Malcolm Ziman
Level 10

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

QBSE is designed for someone who uses the same bank account and/or c/card for personal and business, and has no interest in reconciling or even tracking the bank balance

Mo_Latimer
Level 2

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

Thank you. 

VivienJ
QuickBooks Team

QBO Self Employed or QBO Essentials - which is best for...

Happy Thanksgiving, Mo_Latimer. 

 

I'm glad you're able to find the answer you need from our awesome Allstars (Accountants) @john-pero, @Rustler, and @Malcolm Ziman

 

The Community is a great place for general assistance, and connect with accounting professional, and other QuickBooks Online users. If you have other questions in the future, feel free to dive in at anytime. Rest assured we're all here to get those questions answered. 

 

Wishing your business continued success! Have a great day!

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