How To Get Started with QuickBooks Desktop

In this training, I’ll show you how to set up and get started with QuickBooks Desktop. I’ll be using QuickBooks Accountant Desktop 2020 (also known as QuickBooks Premier).

Quick Instructions:

  1. Create a new company
  2. Select “Express start”
  3. Fill in your business information
  4. Click the “Start Working” button

Keep reading for full instructions with screenshots.

Creating a New Company File

When you first open QuickBooks Desktop you’ll see a box that states “No Company Open.” You have the option to create a new company, open or restore an existing company, or open a sample file.

To create a brand new company file click on Create a new company.

Creating a new company file in QuickBooks Desktop

You’ll be presented with a setup screen. You have the option for express start, detailed start, creating a new file based on an existing one, or importing data from other accounting software.

For this example, I’ll be using the Express start option.Business setup screen in QuickBooks Desktop 2020

On the next screen, you’ll need to fill in some business information including:

  • Business Name
  • Industry
  • Business Type

Everything else on this screen is optional but it is a good idea to fill in as much as you can.

If you don’t have an EIN you can get one from the IRS website

After entering your business information click the blue Create Company button in the bottom right-hand corner.

Entering your company information while creating a new company file in QuickBooks Desktop 2020

Once the file is created you’ll have a few prompts for starting to enter information into your file.

  • Add the people you do business with
  • Add the products and services you sell
  • Add your bank accounts

I’ll show you how to do each of these in future tutorials.  To  start I’m going to click the blue Start Working button in the lower right-hand corner.

Prompts for setting up QuickBooks Desktop

Now that you have a new QuickBooks Desktop company file I’ll go over some of what you’ll see on the homepage.

Home Page

QuickBooks Desktop 2020 home page.

At the very top, you’ll see the name of your file and the version of QuickBooks Desktop you’re using.

Next is the regular Windows menu with everything from File to Help.

On the left-hand side is the shortcuts bar with shortcuts to areas of QuickBooks Desktop that are used most often. 

The main part of this screen is referred to as the Home Page. It’s divided up into sections.

  • Vendors
  • Customers
  • Employees
  • Company (your business)
  • Banking

There are lines and arrows on this screen between many of the icons. They’re there to help you visualize the workflow. Let’s take a look at one of these workflows starting with an estimate.

Workflow for an estimate on the QuickBooks Desktop Home Page

If we take a look at the Estimates icon we can see that when you create an estimate it can be turned into a sales order that can then be turned into an invoice. Or you could go directly from estimate to invoice. After it’s become an invoice you would receive payment and then record the deposit. 

Insights

At the top of the Home Page screen there’s two tabs, Home Page and Insights. Insights gives you a visual overview of your Income, Expenses, Profit & Loss, Business Growth, and more.

QuickBooks Desktop Insights tab

If you’ve just created your file, as I have in this tutorial, there will be no data to populate this screen.

In the large light blue/gray section where it says “There is no data for the selected period” there are dots showing that their are more pages to view. You can click the left and right side arrows to scroll through these pages. In the top left of these pages you can see the title of the information that’ll be available here once your company file has some data.

This tutorial gave you an overview of creating your file and what QuickBooks Desktop looks like.

☕ If you found this helpful you can say “thanks” by buying me a coffee…
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gentlefrog

If you’d like to watch me walk through this process check out the video below:

Need some one-on-one QuickBooks assistance?
Share Now

This content is for information purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a substitute for obtaining such advice specific to your business. Additional information and exceptions may apply. Applicable laws may vary by state or locality. No assurance is given that the information is comprehensive in its coverage or that it is suitable in dealing with a customer’s particular situation. Gentle Frog, LLC does not have any responsibility for updating or revising any information presented herein. Accordingly, the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent research. Gentle Frog, LLC does not warrant that the material contained herein will continue to be accurate, nor that it is completely free of errors when published. Readers and viewers should verify statements before relying on them.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read similar articles

How to Manage Incorrect Payee and Category Suggestions in QuickBooks Online with Bank Rules

Learn how to use bank rules to make sure you don't incorrectly categorize transactions.

Testing SupaClerk Bank Statement Conversion to CSV for QuickBooks Online Import

Learn how to convert a PDF bank statement into a CSV and then import it into QuickBooks Online.

Have a QuickBooks / Bookkeeping Question?

Let me know what you’d like to see in future videos, blog posts, and courses.

Review Your QuickBooks

Are you a small business owner struggling to make sense of your QuickBooks data?

  • Discover how to spot costly mistakes in your bookkeeping and fix them quickly and easily.

  • Save time and money by streamlining your bookkeeping process and reducing errors.

  • Learn how to identify trends in your financial data so you can make smarter business decisions.

  • Get organized and stay on top of your finances by tracking expenses, managing receipts, and closing your books effectively.

Sign up now for this free mini-course and start mastering the essential bookkeeping skills that every small business owner needs to succeed!

FREE Mini Course

Sign up now and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your bookkeeping is accurate, up-to-date, and free from costly errors.

We won’t send spam. Unsubscribe at any time.