Make a run for the border....

[bbSquire]

Hi all! Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and New Years.

I have been contacted through e-mail by someone wanting me to set up their QuickBooks file and teach them the basics of inputting transaction because they would like to keep their own books. Not a problem per say. The problem is.... they are in Florida, USA and I'm in Toronto, Canada. While doing the actual setup can be done here at my machine and then emailed to her and the 'teaching' would be 1 long document or how to enter the basic invoices, I'm not sure if my "Canadian Edition" of QuickBooks is compatible with her "American Edition". Also there are differences in the GAAP and taxes and other stuff that I don't know about. So I actually have 3 questions....

1. Software wise, anyone know if there are problems between CDN and USA versions?

2. In just teaching the basics (which she could learn herself off websites or the help file) is there anything different between USA and CDN accounting principles that I should know about?

3. Do any of you deal with cross-border accounting? CDN <---or---> USA.

I mentioned in the first email I sent her that I'm in Canada and it might be better to find a bookkeeper that is at least in the states if not Florida. Some part of me is wondering that maybe she thinks she can get a savings on cost by going across the border. You know, the exchange rate on the $. I would be billing her in American funds though, just have to mention it now. I'll I've said is that rates start at $40 for most bookkeepers.

Thanks, Kim.

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Kim,

I don't have the answer you desire.

If you don't receive a response here, I would suggest that you contact Intuit support directly with your questions. This is the link to the Canadian site http://quickbooks.intuit.ca/accounti...ware/index.jsp . There is a support forum and phone number listed that may offer solutions.

Good Luck!

Janine

[leedrozak]

Kim,

Some areas of Canadian tax law are very different than US tax law. I am sure if you Google it you will find many links that explain the differences. I believe that the GAAP principles are basically the same however I am not adept at Canadian practices.

Also, I do know that the internal database structure of the QuickBooks versions are not the same. The Canadian version is set for your tax structure. There may be workarounds so I would check the Intuit support site.

[bbSquire]

Thanks for the info. I will check into that on the Intuit site.

But that still leaves question 3. How many of you deal with people across the border?

Kim.

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Kim,

I have a client in Canada for whom I ghostwrite her newsletter.

Janine

[Business-Bytes]

But that still leaves question 3. How many of you deal with people across the border?
Kim.

I do indirectly; Canada as a subcontractor. And across the "pond," England and Ireland. But not for bookkeeping. I stay within the States for accounting/bookkeeping; too many differences in accounting methods and practices for me to take on that particular headache.