Thank you for comparing the accounting basis to identify potential discrepancies, Greg. Let me explain why your Sales dashboard and Profit and Loss (P&L) total income have different figures.
The Sales section from the Dashboards reflects only income from Invoices and Sales Receipts, whereas the P&L report captures a broader range of transactions, including Journal entries and Bank deposits associated with income accounts. This is why there is a difference between the figures that you see.
Common reasons for discrepancies include:
- Mismatched date ranges
- Inconsistent accounting basis
- Sales items assigned to incorrect accounts
- P&L includes non-item transactions (e.g., bill expenses, journal entries)
To gain a clear view of your sales activities, I recommend generating sales reports, such as the Sales by Customer Summary or Sales by Customer Detail. These reports will provide a detailed breakdown of your sales performance. 
Lastly, I'll share some helpful guides for optimizing your homepage and reporting:
- Get started and adjust settings after you sign up for QuickBooks Online
- Save a customized report in QuickBooks Online
- Export your reports to Excel from QuickBooks Online
Finally, I want to ensure you have access to comprehensive support tailored to your needs. I am pleased to introduce QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted. This service connects you with certified QuickBooks professionals specializing in enhancing your financial management. Through personalized one-on-one video chats, these experts offer guidance on managing sales activities and mastering bookkeeping best practices.
With QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted, you can optimize your processes and build confidence in managing your business finances. Whether you have specific accounting inquiries or seek general advice, this service helps you navigate QuickBooks effectively and elevate your financial management skills.
Have more questions about your dashboard widgets or reporting information? Our Community team is ready to help. Feel free to post your inquiries below.
