When it comes to business accounting, QuickBooks is one of the most well-known titles. And rightly so. QuickBooks offers simple-to-use software that is modified regularly to keep up with business, the ability to use the software, whether at home or work, and the desire to access and pay invoices online. QuickBooks also has a feature targeted at law firms. Yeah, one of the most well-known names in DIY business accounting is now open to law firms. In this blog, we’ll look at QuickBooks for law firms to see if it’s a good match for your firm’s needs.
QuickBooks for law firms
QuickBooks for law firms is accounting (and, to a lesser extent, billing) software used by law firms all over the world. QuickBooks is available in two versions: a Desktop edition installed on a computer’s hard drive and an online version that can be downloaded from any computer.
Intuit is an organisation that produces and funds QuickBooks. A free trial of QuickBooks for law firms is also available. It’s a viable choice for law firms searching for a one-stop-shop for:
- Accounting with law firms (including the creation of an ability to send out invoices)
- Billing for legal assistance (including both timekeeping and tracking retainers paid)
- Creating a study
QuickBooks isn’t yet another fly-by-night company trying to get into providing “cloud-based” solutions for lawyers. Over 8,000 law firms trust it. QuickBooks for law firms is ideal for any size law firm, but it is particularly appealing to those who are just starting and are unsure which software to use to handle their accounting. QuickBooks offers support as well as a platform where users can pose and answer questions about the software. However, there is a significant gap in features between the web edition and the online (or “cloud”) version.
Law firms will have less functionality for the online edition because they will not have access to any of the web version features. If you’re involved in cloud-based accounting and practise management, don’t worry, we’ve got good news for you. and the many advantages of switching to the cloud.
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Features of QuickBooks for law firms
Some of the key features of QuickBooks for law firms are as follows:
- Control your hourly billing rates: QuickBooks for law firms helps you to set an hourly billing rate for all of your billable operations, from junior associates to senior partners and paralegals.
- Keep track of your time and expenditures: QuickBooks for law firms helps you to keep track of your time and apply expenses to each case as required.
- Make a report for each client: This feature is handy for providing clients with case notifications. You can submit information directly to customers, friends, or yourself at any time. These reports can also be scheduled ahead of time.
- Features for full-spectrum invoicing: From start to finish, QuickBooks for law firms manages invoicing. Clients will pay their invoices online after they receive them.
- Keep track of the law firm’s expenditures: Transactions from bank accounts, credit cards, PayPal, and other online payment vendors can be imported. You may also have transactions sorted into specific categories automatically. If you’re on the go, you can take a photo of your receipt with your phone and upload it directly into QuickBooks.
- Pay the staff: QuickBooks for Law Firms offers free direct deposits to law firms. In as little as 24 hours, your employees will get their money. QuickBooks can also be used to register and pay payroll taxes.
These are some of the features that will help you put up a law firm for QuickBooks Desktop software. Now that you know this, you must understand how you can set up QuickBooks for Law Firms, but you must learn about the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA).
What is Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA)
IOLTA is a creative way to expand access to justice for low-income people and families while also strengthening the justice system by leveraging interest gained on some lawyer trust accounts. IOLTA services are a public benefit, and what makes them unique is that they are offered without taxing the public or costing you or your clients anything. Now that you understand what IOLTA is, we must go on to the next segment.
How to setup QuickBooks for law firms trust account and operations account
To setup the QuickBooks for law firms, you just need to read and apply the following steps:
- Make a new checking account for “Client Trust Fund Checking.” Both deposits and transfers from your clients’ trust funds will be monitored in this account.
- Set up an IOLTA account for this checking account at a financial institution that accepts IOLTA accounts. Practical advice: Confirm that the IOLTA account has automatic overdraft security and does not have ATM access with your banker. IOLTA services in all states, including the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands, are subject to these laws.
- You’ll need to build separate liability accounts in QuickBooks to separate your law firm’s payables from your clients’ payables. The Accounts Payable charge should be called “Accounts Payable – Running.” This payable account will be used to pay bills and make payments for your law firm’s day-to-day activities.
- Create a new “Accounts Payable – Trust” account in Accounts Payable. This payable account can be used to keep track of the clients’ expenses and payments.
- Establish a new Existing Liability, “Client Trust Liability.” This liability account will be used to track all client deposits as well as other expenses.
Summary
To summarise, QuickBooks Desktop software is one software that also helps you if you are even running a law firm. In this blog, you will learn a lot if you are running a law firm, so please read this whole blog very carefully.