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Enter historical data

Enter historical data

Why should I enter historical transactions?

If the start date you entered for your company is before today's date, you'll need to enter your past (historical) transactions, beginning with that date. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . This ensures that your QuickBooks records will be completely up-to-date, going forward from your start date.

If you are using an earlier start date, and you don't enter your historical transactions, your account balances and reports may be incorrect.

Follow these guidelines when entering historical transactions

Enter historical transactions in sequential order. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . For example, QuickBooks won't know how to credit a customer payment unless you've previously recorded the invoice. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . Enter bank account transactions last, because your accounts payable and accounts receivable affect your bank account balances. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . By the time you finish entering all of your historical transactions, your check register should be nearly up to date.

If you don't have time to enter all your historical transactions right away, don't worry. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . You don't have to enter all your past transactions before you start using QuickBooks for your current transactions. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . Start entering current transactions as they occur, so you don't get behind. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . Then catch up with historical transactions when you can. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . If current and historical transactions are related, enter the earlier one first. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . For example, if you receive a payment today for an invoice you have not yet entered, enter the invoice first and then use QuickBooks to record the payment. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . That way, QuickBooks correctly links your transactions to each other.

Remember, though, that your account balances will be incorrect (and your reports may be wrong) until you've entered all the past transactions.

Enter historical transactions in chronological order. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . For example, QuickBooks won't know how to credit a customer payment unless you've previously recorded the invoice. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . Enter bank account transactions last, because your accounts payable and accounts receivable affect your bank account balances. entering historical data, data, historical, historical transactions, . By the time you finish entering all of your historical transactions, your check register should be nearly up to date.

Note: If the start date you entered for your company is before today's date and you don't enter your historical transactions, your account balances and reports may be incorrect.

To do this task

Enter your transactions in the following order:

  1. Sales and accounts receivable transactions. (invoices, statement charges, sales receipts, returns, payments, deposits, sales tax payments)

  2. Vendor and accounts payable transactions. (bills, credits from vendors, payments)

  3. Summarize payroll amounts for this year to date.

  4. Enter historical bank and credit card transactions. (checks, deposits, fees, transfers)

  5. Reconcile your bank account. (after entering historical transactions)

See also

KB ID# H_SETUP_TASK_HISTORICAL_DATA_ENTER
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11/23/2009 8:52:27 AM