QuickBooks 2012: The Missing Manual

Chapter 1. Creating a Company File

A company file is where you store your company’s financial records in QuickBooks, so it’s the first thing you need to work on in the program. To get started, you can create a company file from scratch or convert records previously kept in a small-business accounting program or Quicken. Another approach is to use a file that someone else created. For example, if you’ve worked with an accountant to set up your company, she might provide you with a QuickBooks company file already configured for your business so you can hit the ground running. QuickBooks 2012 also lets you create a new company file from an existing one.

This chapter starts by explaining how to launch your copy of QuickBooks. Then, if you need to create your own company file, you’ll learn how to use the QuickBooks Setup dialog box and the EasyStep Interview to get started (and find out which other chapters explain how to finish the job). You’ll also learn how to create a company file from an existing file and what information QuickBooks transfers over. Finally, you’ll learn how to open a company file, update one to a new version of QuickBooks, and modify basic company information.

Opening QuickBooks

Here are the easiest ways to open QuickBooks:

• Desktop icon. Double-click the desktop shortcut that QuickBooks created during installation to launch the program.

• Windows taskbar. The fastest way to open QuickBooks is to click its icon on the Windows taskbar—but first you have to put it there. ...