Quickbooks Time Tracking for Accountants: 15+ Things You Should Know Before Investing

Quickbooks Time Tracking for Accountants

This blog is for you…

If you're tired of dealing with inaccurate timesheets.

OR

If you're struggling to keep track of your employees’ work hours.

OR

If payroll processing takes up too much of your time.

Every business aims to improve efficiency and accuracy in managing work hours and payroll.

You, me, everyone.

But there is a common challenge that many face: managing time tracking effectively.

Yes, I know you might be using manual methods or basic software for time tracking, but so are your competitors.

So, how do you gain an edge?

That’s where QuickBooks Time comes in. 

It’s a tool designed to simplify time tracking, project management, and payroll processing.

It will help you keep precise records of work hours. It will help you manage projects more efficiently. It will help you speed up payroll processing.

You might be thinking: “Yet another time tracking tool with the same old features.”

Let me explain why this blog is different:

🌟 We’ll start by understanding what QuickBooks Time is.

🌟 Then, we'll explore the features that make QuickBooks Time stand out.

🌟 After that, we'll break down the cost of QuickBooks Time, looking at the best plan for you.

🌟 I'll also guide you on how to integrate QuickBooks Time with other tools to maximize efficiency.

🌟 Finally, we'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of QuickBooks Time to help you decide if it's worth the investment.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the details.

What is QuickBooks Time?

QuickBook Time is a tool that helps you keep track of your employees' work hours, manage projects, and handle payroll more easily. 

Take it as your personal assistant for managing timesheets and speeding up payroll. It can even save your business up to 4.6% on payroll costs! 

If you have a team that works in different locations, QuickBooks Time is perfect for you. 

They can clock in, submit timesheets, and track their mileage using the QuickBooks Workforce app.

What can QuickBooks Time do for you?

Here’s what features you will get with QuickBooks Time: 

Easy Time Tracking

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• Online: 

You can track, edit, and approve timesheets from your laptop or desktop. This way, you always have up-to-date and accurate records.

• Mobile App: 

You can manage and approve timesheets right from your phone, no matter where you are. Perfect for when you're on the go!

• Time Kiosk: 

If your team works on-site, they can clock in and out using a tablet. It's a simple way to keep track of everyone's hours.

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Manage People and Projects Together

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• GPS Tracking: 

You can see where your employees are and how long they've worked using GPS. This helps you ensure everyone is where they need to be.

• Project Management: 

You can compare the hours your team actually worked to the hours you estimated for a project. This helps you stay on schedule and manage projects better.

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Workforce App

• Clock In/Out: 

Your employees can easily clock in and out, submit their timesheets, and track their mileage using the app. It makes keeping accurate hours a breeze.

• Approval: 

As a manager, you can approve multiple timesheets from anywhere. You don't have to be in the office to keep things running smoothly.

• Notifications: 

The app sends alerts for clocking in and out, taking breaks, and job site changes. This helps everyone stay on top of their schedules.

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Easy Payroll

• Faster Payroll: 

QuickBooks Time makes payroll processing faster and allows for direct deposit. Your employees get paid on time without any hassle.

• Invoicing: 

You can create invoices directly from the tracked time. This makes billing clients accurate and efficient.

Using QuickBooks Time can make managing your business so much easier. It helps you keep track of your team's work hours, manage projects better, and handle payroll quickly.

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How much does QuickBooks Time cost?

Here's the scoop on the pricing plans of QuickBooks Time: 

Special Offer

Right now, you can buy QuickBooks Time at 70% off for the first 3 months! Plus, you get a 30-day free trial to test it out. Sounds good, right?

Recommended Plans

Elite Plan

• Perfect for: Keeping up with deadlines and collaborating on projects in real-time.
  ‍
• Price: Normally $40/month, but you pay just $12/month for the first 3 months. Plus, it’s $10 per user each month.
  ‍
• What You Get:
  • One admin included
  • Workforce app
  • Streamlined payroll & invoicing
  • Create schedules
  • Customize reports
  • See who's working
  • Manage time off
  • Alerts & notifications
  • Attach photos
  • Time kiosk
  • Unlimited customer support
  • Track mileage and projects
  • Compare project estimates vs. actuals
  • Project activity feed
  • Timesheet signatures
  • Geofencing

Premium Plan

• Perfect for: Tracking time and attendance for your team, no matter where they work.
  ‍
• Price: Normally $20/month, but you pay just $6/month for the first 3 months. Plus, it’s $8 per user each month.
  ‍
• What You Get:
  • One admin included
  • Workforce app
  • Streamlined payroll & invoicing
  • Create schedules
  • Customize reports
  • See who's working
  • Manage time off
  • Alerts & notifications
  • Attach photos
  • Time kiosk
  • Unlimited customer support

Important Details on the pricing: 

Discount Offer Terms:

• You get a 70% discount for the first 3 months, then it switches to the regular price.
• Your account will be charged monthly until you cancel.
• After the discount period, the charges will be $6 + $8/user for Premium or $12 + $10/user for Elite.
• Sales tax might be added where it applies.
• This offer is for new customers only and can’t be combined with other offers.
• To cancel, go to Account & Settings in QuickBooks and select “Cancel your plan.”

30-Day Free Trial:

• The first 30 days are free. After that, you need to provide a valid credit card to continue.
• You’ll be charged monthly based on the plan you choose.
• This offer is for new customers only and can’t be combined with other offers.
• To cancel, go to “Account & Billing” in QuickBooks Time and select “Close Account.”

Though QuickBooks Time is made to help you with your business, it comes with certain limitations as well. 

Let’s get into the advantages and disadvantages of using QuickBooks Time. 

What users Like the most about QuickBooks Time

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GPS Tracking

Allows employers to track the location of their team, ensuring they are where they need to be.

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Integration with QuickBooks

Seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks accounting software, streamlining payroll and invoicing.

User-Friendly Interface

Easy to use with intuitive features that make it simple to clock in and out, manage time off, and track project hours.

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Mobile Access

The mobile app provides flexibility for employees to clock in/out and for managers to approve timesheets on the go.

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Project Management

Helps manage remote staff and track the time spent on various projects, making it easier to bill clients accurately.

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Customizable Reports

Allows users to create and customize reports according to their specific needs.

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Time Kiosk

Provides a convenient way for teams to clock in and out on-site using a tablet.

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Real-Time Collaboration

The Elite plan offers features like project estimates vs. actuals and project activity feeds, aiding in meeting deadlines and real-time project collaboration.

‍

Scheduling

Enables quick and easy schedule creation and sharing with the team.

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What Users Dislike the most about QuickBooks Time

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Poor Customer Service

Numerous users report negative experiences with customer support, including long resolution times and ineffective assistance.

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Frequent App Updates

The mobile app requires frequent updates, which can be cumbersome for users who need to assist their team with these updates.

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Battery Drain from GPS

The location tracking feature can drain the battery of mobile devices, which can be frustrating for users.

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Limited Flexibility

Some users find the application to be less flexible in terms of adding custom options or adjusting certain settings.

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Inconsistent Timekeeping

Issues with time entries not showing up or being difficult to log correctly, causing confusion and administrative headaches.

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Complex Cancellation Process

Users have reported difficulty in cancelling their accounts, often requiring multiple calls and long waits.

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Limited Historical Data Access

Employees cannot access their timesheet data for more than two pay periods, which can be limiting for historical reference.

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Bugs and Glitches

Users have experienced bugs that affect the functionality of the app, such as incorrect clock-ins/outs and difficulties with certain integrations.

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Cost

Some users find the cost of the service to be high, especially when additional features are needed.

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Manual Time Corrections

Manual interventions are sometimes required to correct time entries, which can be time-consuming.

I get that you might have some concerns about using QuickBooks Time due to its disadvantages.

But don't worry, there's a way to make it even better by integrating it with Xenett. Let me explain how Xenett can help you overcome these issues and make your experience with QuickBooks Time smoother.

How Xenett Works with QuickBooks Time? 

1. Poor Customer Service QuickBooks Time might have some customer service issues, but with Xenett, you get 24/7 support. You also get free onboarding and a dedicated relationship manager. This means you have someone to help you whenever you need it, making it easier to solve any problems quickly.

2. Frequent App Updates Sometimes, updates to QuickBooks Time can cause disruptions. By using Xenett, you can keep your data safe and accurate even when updates happen. Xenett has strong error detection that can catch and fix any issues caused by these updates.

3. Battery Drain from GPS Tracking GPS tracking can drain your phone’s battery quickly. While Xenett can’t stop the battery drain directly, it helps by providing detailed reports and analysis. This reduces the need for constant GPS monitoring and indirectly saves battery life.

4. Limited Flexibility QuickBooks Time might not be flexible enough for everyone. Xenett offers customizable review points and templates, allowing you to tailor the review process to fit your needs. This makes the system more adaptable and useful for your business.

5. Inconsistent Timekeeping If you have issues with time entries being inconsistent, Xenett’s AI-based error detection can help. It quickly identifies and fixes any inconsistencies, ensuring your records are accurate and reliable. This saves you time from having to correct errors manually.

6. Complex Cancellation Process Canceling QuickBooks Time can be tricky, but with Xenett, you have a dedicated support team and relationship manager to guide you through the process. They can help you resolve any issues more effectively.

7. Limited Historical Data Access QuickBooks Time might limit access to historical data, but Xenett can store and manage this data for you. This way, you can easily access and review past entries and reports whenever you need them.

8. Bugs and Glitches Bugs and glitches can be annoying. Xenett’s error detection and correction features can identify and resolve issues caused by these bugs, ensuring your financial records stay accurate and up-to-date.

How to Get the Most Out of Xenett with QuickBooks Time?

1. Data Synchronization Regularly syncs your QuickBooks Time data with Xenett. This ensures all your time entries are up-to-date and any discrepancies are quickly fixed.

2. Custom Review Points Set up specific review points in Xenett to focus on common issues like GPS data accuracy and time entry consistency. This helps you catch and correct problems early.

3. Utilize Reporting Features Use Xenett’s advanced reporting features to get deeper insights into your time tracking data. This helps you identify patterns and issues that might not be obvious in QuickBooks Time alone.

4. Client and Internal Communication Take advantage of Xenett’s client portal and internal communication tools to resolve time tracking issues quickly. This ensures prompt and effective communication between your team and clients.

By integrating Xenett with QuickBooks Time, you can enhance your time tracking and financial management processes. This results in a more efficient and accurate workflow, making your business run smoother. If you have any questions or need more help, feel free to ask!

Conclusion: Is QuickBooks Time Still Worth It for Accountants?

Yes, QuickBooks Time is still worth it.

But there are a few exceptions:

1. If you are just starting out with time tracking, you might want to stick to simpler tools initially.
2. If you have complex needs or require more customization, you may need additional tools to complement QuickBooks Time.

With QuickBooks Time, you can:

• Accurately track your team's work hours.
• Manage projects more efficiently.
• Streamline your payroll process.

However,

• You might face issues with customer service.
• Frequent app updates can be disruptive.
• GPS tracking can drain mobile device batteries.

This is where a tool like Xenett comes in.

Xenett enhances your QuickBooks Time experience by:

• Providing 24/7 customer support and a dedicated relationship manager.
• Offering error detection to handle disruptions caused by app updates.
• Reducing the need for constant GPS monitoring through detailed reports.
• Allowing customizable review points and templates for greater flexibility.
• Ensuring accurate records with AI-based error detection.

And the best part is, Xenett can make your time tracking and payroll management smoother without adding significant costs.

If you're interested in Xenett but not ready to commit yet, we have a solution for you.

You can start your journey with Xenett for $0. We don’t even ask for your credit card or phone number!

That's all for today.

Happy tracking with QuickBooks Time and Xenett!