Can I upgrade a QBA file to 2016 after a client upgrade?

This question is about QuickBooks Desktop, not QuickBooks Online. The Accountant’s Copy (.QBA) workflow and version-upgrade concerns do not exist in QuickBooks Online, which is a cloud-based service.

In QuickBooks Online, you and your client work in the same company file at the same time. There is no need to send a file back and forth, and no version compatibility blocks the import of changes.

If you are working with a QuickBooks Desktop file and need to upgrade an Accountant’s Copy after your client has moved to a newer year, that is a Desktop-specific issue. Intuit’s Accountant’s Copy feature requires both sides to use compatible versions. Once the client upgrades the company file, the accountant must also upgrade to match before changes can be imported.

How accountants collaborate in QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online replaces the Accountant’s Copy workflow with shared access to the live file.

Invite an accountant to your company file

1. Go to Settings (the Gear icon) and select Manage Users.
2. Select Accountants and then Invite Accountant.
3. Enter the accountant’s email address and name.

What happens after the invitation is accepted

Once the accountant accepts the invitation, they can open the company file directly from their own QuickBooks Online login. They can view reports, edit transactions, and make adjustments without needing to receive or return a file.

When to use the Accountant Toolbox

If you are an accountant working with multiple QBO clients, you can use the Accountant Toolbox to switch between client files quickly. This tool is available in the QuickBooks Online Accountant version, which is designed for accountants who manage several company files.

Summary

The upgrade issue described in this question only applies to QuickBooks Desktop. In QuickBooks Online, collaboration happens through shared access, not file transfers. If you need help with a Desktop Accountant’s Copy, contact Intuit support directly.