Why can't I backdate my inventory adjustment to 2019? It keeps changing the date to today.

Hi there, @jantco.

I want to make sure you can make an inventory adjustment to 2019 in QuickBooks Desktop.

Before making an inventory adjustment, decide what kind of correction you need to make.

• Adjust the quantity on hand.
• Adjust the total value.

Once you know what kind of adjustment needs to be made, next set up your inventory adjustment account, which will be a separate account for you to track your adjustments:

1. Select Company  and then Chart of Accounts.
2. Click on the Account drop-down, then New.
3. From the Other Account Types drop-down, go to Cost of Goods Sold.
4. Name this account "Inventory Adjustments", and then Save and Close.

After you create the adjustments account, it's time to adjust your Inventory:

1. Choose Vendors and click on Inventory Activities, then select Adjust Quantity/Value on Hand.
2. Go to the Adjustment Type drop-down, then pick Quantity, Total Value, or Quantity and Total Value.
3. Select the Adjustment Type drop-down and then click your adjustment account.
4. Enter the Adjustment Date.
5. Pick the Adjust Account drop-down, then select the adjustment account you set up.
6. Add Reference No., then go to Find & Select Items.
7. Choose Add Selected items.
8. Add a new quantity or new value (or both) for each item.
9. Select Save and Close.

Lastly, make sure your inventory status is now correct:

1. Click on Reports and then choose Inventory.
2. To check your product’s value, select the Inventory Valuation Summary. To check your product’s quantity, go to the Inventory Stock Status by Item.
3. Look for the items you adjusted and make sure everything is correct.

That will do it. Let me know if you have any more questions, I'm only a few clicks away. Have a good rest of your day!

I am having the same issue and Kendra's response it Not helpful.  Don't need to know the steps to make an inventory adjustment. I need to know why it won't accept my date.

I am putting in 12/31/2020 and when I save it, it puts it as 02/02/2021.  Thought it was me at first so I tried again and now I have 2 entries in 02/02/2021 and none in 12/31/2020 where it should be

Hello @RBLolley,

Let me help share how you can enter an inventory adjustment with a backdated entry in QuickBooks Desktop.

To start with, the date of your adjustment entry is related to the closing date you've set on your company data. Normally, it gives you a warning message if you wish to save an entry older than the current calendar year.

With this, let's review the register of the account you used on the inventory adjustment to determine if the entry exists or not. Let me show you how.

1. Go to Lists.
2. Select Chart of Accounts.
3. Find the account used on the inventory adjustment.
4. Under Reports, select QuickReport.
5. On the Dates section, select Custom.
6. Enter the date used based on your journal entry.

Once done and if the list of adjustments still didn't show the entry with dates containing 12/31/2020, consider deleting and recreating the inventory adjustment.

In the same manner, here's an article you can read to learn more about your inventory adjustment: Adjust your inventory quantity or value in QuickBooks Desktop.

On top of that, I've also included this reference for a compilation of articles you can use while working with us: Manage inventory in QuickBooks Desktop.

If you have any other questions, please let me know in the comments below. I'll be here lend a hand.

I am working in an accountant's copy of QuickBooks 2021 and am having the same issue. My client is three years behind on filing their taxes, and I have to adjust their inventory as of 12/31/2018, 12/31/2019, and 12/31/2020. When I follow the steps to create an inventory adjustment, QuickBooks keeps changing the date to today's date after I hit Save. I converted the file to a working copy and this does not happen. Are there restrictions on an accountant's copy that prevent me from backdating inventory adjustments?

I’m here to help and share some information with you, @KKrause2380.

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can only make necessary changes and corrections to your client’s books if you’ve successfully converted the accountant’s copy to a working file.

Here are the steps to do it:

1. From the File menu, select Open and Restore Company.
2. Select Convert an Accountant’s Copy Transfer File, then Next.
3. Read through the Overview, then Next. Do the same with the Can and Can’t Dos and select Next.
4. Find and open the accountant’s copy (.QBX).
5. Confirm you want to convert the file.
6. Rename the file, then click Save.

These resources provide complete instructions on how to use an accountant’s copy and things you can and can't make on it. It also includes information about removing its restrictions if need be:

• Use the Accountant's Copy
• Use an Accountant's Copy working file in QuickBooks Desktop

Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need further assistance with inventory adjustment or the said copy. We’re always here to help you out. Keep safe!

That was not helpful at all. I've read through what I can and can't do in an Accountant's copy and there is no mention of not being able to backdate inventory adjustments. I need to be able to send the changes back to my client, so I need to be able to make the adjustment in the accountant's copy. Why does QuickBooks keep changing the date of the inventory adjustment to today's date?

I was having the same issue.   The only fix I found was a third party app - SaasAnt - that allows you to download the inventory adjustments to Excel, correct the date of the adjustment and import back in.  The app also has lots of other feature that are very helpful.  Well worth the $99 we paid for it.    

May sound crooked, but what happens if you change your system date to the date you need in your adjustment?

Hello @jaapkrijger,

I'm glad to see you reaching out to us about backdating inventory adjustments. I can share information regarding changing the system information to fix the issue in QuickBooks Desktop.

The adjustment date will always follow the system date of your workstation. The changes may affect the new transactions from the current year. It'll cause issues because of the existing dates entered into the program.

I recommend working with an accountant when performing adjustments to inventories. This way, you'll be able to ensure your books are accurate and error-free.

Additionally, I've attached an article you can use to help decide what kind of adjustment you need for your product quantity and value in QuickBooks: Adjust your inventory quantity or value in QuickBooks Desktop.

Feel free to hit that Reply button if you have additional questions about managing inventory or making adjustments. Have a great day.