Quickbooks confidentiality question

[Leanna Kalka]

Okay, I know I'm good with Quickbooks, but, how do you do it virtually? I've got a meeting this afternoon with a new customer. Thank goodness it is local, but she may want to go virtual. For the life of me, I can't seem to figure out how you maintain customer confidentiality by being virtual with Quickbooks.

Help!!!

[Rebecka Melson]

I use remote access. If you both have Windows XP Pro, then it has remote access built-in, they will just have to set up a password for you to gain access. The problem with this method is being able to print off of their system.

I prefer to have them set-up remote access through an online service, such as, gotomypc.com because this allows you to be able to print from their computer to your location.

For security purposes, they can set you up a seperate windows user account and only include the programs they want you to access, such as QuickBooks. They should also set you up a seperate user account in QuickBooks and password protect it.

Keep in mind that you both can't be logged in at the same time, so you will have to set-up a schedule for you to have access to their computer.

[Leanna Kalka]

Thank you for your quick response. This particular customer is only wanting data input at this point, but who knows where it might go from there. I just want to be prepared.

So I guess, I was just wondering if she just faxed me her receipts and expense items that need input, then I could go in remotely and do this for her?

At this point, she doesn't seem to need me to do any reports for her. She has an in-home business as well. So it might be that she might just want me to come and download her company and take the stuff she needs to have input with me.

I just want to make sure I'm presenting my business in a good light and professional.

I've never met this person. She was referred to me by someone in an organization I belong to.

I'm so nervous. lol

[Gems Virtual Office]

HI Leanna,

I'm also offering bookkeeping as a service, and found this article to be very helpful its probably something you can pass on to your client:

How to use a Virtual Bookkeeper

And also as Rebecka suggested, remote access is great I use Log Me In, which is a free service.

And being nervous is perfectly normal....I can imagine when I get that first client I'll be a wreck

[Rebecka Melson]

So I guess, I was just wondering if she just faxed me her receipts and expense items that need input, then I could go in remotely and do this for her?

Yes, I recommend the fax method (depending on the quantity of receipts). It is faster for the client than scanning them and emailing them would be or sending them via postal mail. I use MyFax and I receive all my faxes in .pdf via email from them, this way the client retains the hard copies and I have an electronic copy so I can just burn the receipts onto a CD for record keeping. It also allows me to receive my faxes from any location that I have internet access.

[Office Goddess]

I also have things like bank statements, credit card statements, etc. downloaded by the client and emailed to me...

[Leanna Kalka]

Yahoo!!!!! Got the new business. My first retainer type customer. She wants to start out just inputting her receipts, but then she has a lot of other type office stuff she wants me to do as well. I'm so excited.

I walked in confident because I had decided to let her decide after I gave her a couple of choices. I stopped and bought a USB storage stick in case she wanted it done that way. I gave her about two or three options. It made it so easy that way.

Thank you all for helping me on this. She had called me this morning and although I thought I was ready for this, I still kinda freaked. lol

[Clerical Advantage]

Congratulations!! I'm sure she was very impressed with your confidence and the fact that you could offer her choices.

[Tess]

Yahoo!!!!! Got the new business. My first retainer type customer. She wants to start out just inputting her receipts, but then she has a lot of other type office stuff she wants me to do as well. I'm so excited.

I walked in confident because I had decided to let her decide after I gave her a couple of choices. I stopped and bought a USB storage stick in case she wanted it done that way. I gave her about two or three options. It made it so easy that way.

Thank you all for helping me on this. She had called me this morning and although I thought I was ready for this, I still kinda freaked. lol

How wonderful! Congratulations
Don't worry, you've handled it like a pro thus far....you'll be just fine!!

[vainparadise]

That is great, Congrats!!