How Seasonal Businesses Can Save Money on QuickBooks

Running a seasonal business means balancing your budget carefully, especially during the off-season. One way to potentially save money is by canceling your QuickBooks Online subscription during your slow months and restarting it when business picks up. QuickBooks doesn’t currently offer a “pause” option, but this workaround can help avoid paying for unused services.

However, there are a few important things to consider if you’re thinking about canceling. In this post, I’ll explain how it works, some potential costs, and how my bookkeeping services can make this process easier for you—plus, I offer free consultations to answer any questions you may have!

How It Works: Canceling and Restarting Your QuickBooks Subscription

When your season ends, you can cancel your QuickBooks subscription to save on monthly fees. QuickBooks will retain your data in a “read-only” mode for 12 months, meaning you’ll still be able to view your records but won’t be able to add new transactions. Exporting and backing up your data before canceling is a smart step to ensure everything stays safe and accessible.

When the season starts again, you’ll be able to reactivate your QuickBooks account. There may be setup work required to get your account fully operational again, which your bookkeeper can assist with—though it may involve a fee for this service.

Costs and Steps for Data Export and Storage

Exporting and securely storing your data is key to making sure you don’t lose any financial records. I can help you with this process, making sure everything is backed up correctly before you cancel your subscription. While there may be a fee for this export and storage service, it’s usually worth it for the peace of mind.

When it’s time to reactivate QuickBooks, I can also handle the setup, reconfiguration, and review to make sure your account is ready to go for the new season. Talking with a bookkeeper like me about these steps can give you a clear understanding of the potential costs, helping you see if this plan will save you money in the long run.

Off-Season Transactions: Catching Up Later

If you have a few small transactions that still need to be recorded during the off-season, I can assist with catching these up once the new season starts. For catch-up services, I may charge either a flat fee for setup and entry or a setup fee plus a per-transaction fee for each off-season transaction, depending on the volume.

However, if you have many transactions to record during the off-season, canceling your QuickBooks subscription might not be ideal. Catching up on numerous transactions later could lead to additional fees and more effort, which may reduce the cost savings.

Risks to Consider

Pausing your QuickBooks subscription can save money, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks:

1. Increased Chance of Errors
   When transactions aren’t entered regularly, there’s a higher chance of errors occurring later. Inaccurate records can make it harder to understand your financial health and prepare for tax season.

2. No Real-Time Financial Data
   Without an active subscription, you won’t have access to current financial information. This could make it challenging to keep track of cash flow or make financial decisions during the off-season.

How I Can Help

If you’re considering this approach, I’m here to make the process as smooth as possible. From exporting your data to reactivating and setting up your QuickBooks account, I can handle the steps to ensure your records are protected and ready for each season. I also offer free consultations, so if you’d like to talk through this option or ask any questions, please reach out!

Canceling your QuickBooks subscription in the off-season can be a great way to cut costs, especially for businesses with minimal off-season activity. But, to protect your finances, working with a professional bookkeeper can help you avoid errors, save time, and keep your business running smoothly. Let’s chat to see if this approach is right for your business!