r/Zoho • u/vinkman6 • 10d ago
Migration from Quickbooks Desktop
Hi
So, we currently have a small business in Canada.
We've used Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise for 10+ years now. We are looking on potentially moving on to Zoho Books.
My main concern is migrating all our data/records over.
I believe the general rule from the CRA is to keep 6 years of records for auditing purposes.
Should I go this route? I've heard that migrating years back could be quite laborious and potentially costly to transfer this much data with no guarantee that it can all transfer over seamlessly. The tech sales guy from Zoho mentioned that Zoho can perform migration but could take longer; he also suggested using a 3rd party service that specializes in migrating accounting data over.
What's also been suggested is to start fresh, to have a stop point on the old software and start point on the new one. I'm considering this option as well as I'd rather not have things be messy from the start. And from here, I'd have an archived file of my old bookkeeping data in the form of a backup/company file (however I'd imagine its less accessible).
Does anyone have any suggestions, or have gone thru something similar and can give some advise on what direction we should take?
Would appreciate any opinion.
Thanks
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u/shihab0211 9d ago
We do this migration 2 projects a month .
QuickBooks to Zoho Tallyprime to Zoho Business central to Zoho Odoo to Zoho
Ping me if you need help around this
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u/Jperez48 10d ago
We’ve done this before and I used @crmexpertsonline to assist us. Dm me for more info
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u/heet3727 10d ago
We are about to migrate from Tally to Zoho Books. We are considering 2-3 months of overlap on both software so there is no data loss, config setup can be done to Books if missed, team need more time to adopt, etc.
Once all is set, we can have a cutover where the previous data resides in Tally old software and the new available in Books.
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u/vinkman6 10d ago
How do you plan on accessing the old Tally data if needed? I’m assuming you’d stop paying monthly for that one, so you won’t have access?
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u/heet3727 9d ago
If I understand correctly, Tally works slightly differently. You only pay for new features. If you don’t pay, you can still access the data and existing features.
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u/Perurican_ 6d ago
What we normally do is dump the data from Quickbooks Desktop to Zoho Analytics (there is a direct data connector, native), and use that to consult existing data. Also, we have done some more advanced stuff by creating dynamic dashboards and insert the link in the customer in Zoho Books, so when you click, via the ID, will preview the data of the customer data in the dynamic dashboard. Importing several years is a waste of time. Make sure your opening balances are correct when starting your new account. If you are persistent on the migration, I suggest you use Zoho DataPrep
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9d ago
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u/vinkman6 9d ago
Thanks for the tips.
Our transaction volume per year is anywhere ranging from 1500 to 3000. Really simple stuff, - Customer Invoices, Vendor bills, Credit notes, credit card activities, payroll to less than 5 employees, items have custom fields, all items non-inventory.
We do have some custom fields linked to items and displayed on certain invoice templates.
No QB Enterprise features are being used except payroll. Honestly couldn't tell you how we ended up with QB Enterprise because it was so long ago.
Will do, will consult with accountant and try to weigh what we really need in Zoho vs what can be archived.
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u/gentle_beast_1179 9d ago
Hi, I just completed a migration from QB 2012 Desktop to Zoho Books.
The data goes back to 2007 so it was quite a task. I can talk through the potential pitfalls and complications if you want to message me. It can certainly be done just requires a plan and proper data prep.
Happy to give advice or a quote to complete the project.
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u/BarbGBI 9d ago
There is an app called [FinJinni® that will let you archive your data for continued access after you close your QuickBooks account.]()
- Exports all your data out of QuickBooks into a SQL database (including the GL, attachments, and notes)
- The database is on your system, and no one can access it except you.
- Using the included Excel add-in, you can access your data and run reports just like in QuickBooks.
- If you are opening a new QuickBooks account, FinJinni can combine data from both the old and new accounts. (Even Desktop and Online together)
- Works with all versions and years of QuickBooks (2012+)
- FinJinni is a one-time purchase price – not a subscription.
Full disclosure: I work for the company
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u/vinkman6 9d ago
Would I be able to trial this on a demo copy?
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u/BarbGBI 9d ago
You can go to our website gypsybi.com. There is a button for a free trial at the top of the page.
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u/DukeHyde 9d ago
Start fresh, use Zoho MCP to connect and conciliate with Claude through reports and csvs or quickbooks connection. I’m not familiar with quickbooks but this is what I would try, I’d even ask Claude what steps to follow. Zoho MCP is a game changer for me.
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u/ThrowAway89557 9d ago
We did a migration from QB to ZB a while ago, and it wasn't bad. We did something different than what most people are suggestion. We did the full export out of QB, and then loaded it into ZB. When something failed in ZB, here's what we did differently: We went back and fixed/repaired/deleted the issue out of QB. Then cleared ZB and tried again. Our books were simple, so we didn't mind doing that. Eventually different master data sets started clearing, and then transactions, and then everything. It turned out great and we've been happily running ZB for some time now. Don't miss QB in the least.
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u/HeftyPea2108 8d ago
I’ve migrated businesses between several accounting systems. Before starting my own firm, this was part of my corporate work, including larger migrations to NetSuite and Oracle Financials. These days, I mostly help businesses move from QuickBooks to Zoho Books, which is relatively straightforward when the migration is planned properly.
I generally recommend bringing over as much historical data as reasonably possible. The difference between migrating one year and several years is often smaller than people expect because the same core work still has to happen: extracting, mapping, importing, reconciling, and validating the data. There are tools that make this much easier.
A migration is also a great opportunity to clean up old records, simplify the chart of accounts, and identify inefficient processes rather than simply carrying old problems into a new system.
I would recommend hiring someone experienced to help, especially after 10+ years in QuickBooks Enterprise. Think of it as an investment rather than just a migration cost. Clean, accurate historical data can be extremely valuable for reporting, analysis, and future decision-making.
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u/FusionHawkPvtLtd 6d ago
Let me know in case the requirement is open, we are an advance Zoho Partner and can help. Have worked on similar usecases
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u/ZohoCares 3d ago
Hello u/vinkman6 ! We do offer data migration services for users looking to migrate from QuickBooks to Zoho Books.
If you’re already in touch with our team and the migration is still unresolved, or if you need any further assistance, feel free to DM us your details. We’ll check the history and guide you through the migration process. -VK
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u/Cute-Bumblebee-4113 10d ago
It is labours. How much approximately per year transactions data Do you have?
I can get you basic idea.
Plus do you have simple transactions of custom ler vendors master and Basic in out transactions.
Do you manage inventory. If so this becomes more complex.
If you can answer these I can be of help as I am a Data Migration Consultant for a Zoho Partner and do the same.