Clio Quicbooks Online Bookkeeper

Effortless Setup for Clio and QuickBooks Integration

Posted by Audrey Ehrhardt, Esquire, CBC,

Clio and QuickBooks are two powerful software tools widely used by professionals and businesses for managing different aspects of their operations. Clio is a cloud-based practice management software designed specifically for law firms. It helps legal professionals with case management, billing, scheduling, document handling, and client communication, streamlining the day-to-day operations of a law office.

On the other hand, QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting software platforms for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers comprehensive features such as bookkeeping, payroll, invoicing, tax preparation, and financial reporting. With its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities, QuickBooks helps businesses efficiently manage their finances. For those seeking to manage their law firm’s finances more effectively, hiring a Clio QuickBooks Online Bookkeeper ensures seamless integration between case management and accounting tasks.

Why Clio and QuickBooks Are Required in Legal Services?

In the legal industry, managing both client matters and finances efficiently is crucial for smooth operations and business growth. Clio and QuickBooks are essential tools for law firms, offering solutions that streamline practice management and accounting tasks.

Streamlined Practice Management (Clio)

Clio provides law firms with a comprehensive platform to manage cases, documents, appointments, and communication all in one place. This helps attorneys stay organized, track billable hours, and collaborate effectively with clients and colleagues. It simplifies case management and enhances productivity, allowing legal professionals to focus on delivering high-quality service to their clients.

Efficient Financial Management (QuickBooks)

QuickBooks simplifies accounting tasks, offering tools for bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and tax preparation. Law firms, which often deal with complex financial transactions such as trust accounts, client billing, and expenses, need an efficient system to manage these details accurately. QuickBooks helps ensure financial accuracy, saves time on manual calculations, and provides real-time financial insights.

Integration Benefits

By integrating Clio with QuickBooks, law firms can sync their case and financial data seamlessly. This integration reduces errors, ensures that billing and payments are processed correctly, and provides a unified view of a firm’s operations. Legal professionals can easily manage client invoices, track payments, and maintain accurate financial records without switching between different systems.

What are the permissions in Clio and QuickBooks and Online accountant?

Both Clio and QuickBooks Online Accountant offer customizable user permissions to ensure that team members, including the Clio QuickBooks Online Bookkeeper, have appropriate access to necessary features and data. This ensures secure and efficient management of financial and practice data, allowing each team member to perform their role effectively.

Clio User Permissions

Clio provides four primary user roles:

  1. Administrator: Full access to all features, including managing users, settings, and integrations. Administrators can also perform bulk actions like deleting or editing multiple items simultaneously. 
  1. Accounts: Access to financial features such as billing, payments, and trust accounting. Users with this role can manage invoices, payments, and financial reports. 
  1. Reports: Permission to view and generate reports. Users can access various reports to analyze firm performance and client data. 
  1. Billing: Access to billing-related features, including creating and managing invoices, processing payments, and handling billing settings. 

Additionally, Clio allows for specific visibility settings:

  • Activity Hours Visibility: Determines whether a user can view activity hours on time entries. 
  • Billing Rate Visibility: Controls access to view billing rates for time entries. 

QuickBooks Online Accountant User Permissions

QuickBooks Online Accountant offers several user roles with varying levels of access:

  1. Master Admin: Full access to all company data and settings, including managing users and integrations. 
  1. Company Admin: Access to financial data and management, but limited control over overall system settings. 
  1. Standard User: Permissions can be customized to specific tasks, such as managing payroll, viewing reports, or handling specific transactions. 
  1. Custom User: Tailored permissions for specific tasks, allowing for granular control over user access. 

These roles ensure that each user has access only to the information and features necessary for their role, enhancing security and efficiency within the firm.

How to Setup for Clio and QuickBooks Integration?

Integrating Clio with QuickBooks Online streamlines your law firm's financial management by synchronizing billing, payments, and trust transactions. Here's a step-by-step guide to set up the integration:

1. Verify Subscription and Permissions

  • QuickBooks Online: Ensure you have a subscription to QuickBooks Online Essentials, Plus, or Advanced. Note that QuickBooks Online Self-Employed (Simple Start) is not supported. 
  • Clio: Confirm you have administrative access to your Clio account.

2. Prepare QuickBooks Online

Set Up Chart of Accounts: In QuickBooks Online, establish your accounting ledgers to align with your firm's financial structure.

  • Enable Custom Transaction Numbers:
  1. Click the gear icon in QuickBooks Online and select Account and Settings.
  2. Under the Sales tab, edit Sales form content and check the box for Custom transaction numbers.
  3. Save your changes.
  • Enable Bill Number Warnings:
  1. In the Advanced tab, edit Other preferences and check the box for Warn me when I enter a bill number that's already been used for that supplier.
  2. Save your changes.

3. Connect Clio to QuickBooks Online

  • In Clio, navigate to Settings > Bill Syncing.
  • Click Connect to QuickBooks and authorize the integration by logging into your QuickBooks Online account.

4. Configure Integration Settings

Export Approved Bills and Recorded Payments:

  • In Clio, under Settings > Bill Syncing, click Configure Settings next to QuickBooks Online.
  • Check the box for Export approved bills and recorded payments.
  • Set the start date for the export and choose your tax export preferences.
  • Save your settings.

Export Trust Transactions and Enable Check Printing:

  • In the same configuration area, check the box for Export trust transactions and check printing.
  • Select the Clio trust account to sync and the corresponding QuickBooks Online trust bank and liability accounts.
  • Set the start date for the sync and enable check printing if desired.
  • Save your settings.

Import Hard Costs (Available with QuickBooks Online Plus and Advanced Plans):

  • In the configuration area, check the box for Import hard costs.
  • Set the start date for importing hard costs and select the QuickBooks Online ledger for import.
  • Save your settings.

5. Verify Data Synchronization

  • After setup, Clio will sync data with QuickBooks Online every 30-60 minutes.
  • Review your QuickBooks Online account to ensure contacts, bills, payments, and trust transactions are accurately synced.

Simplify with Clio and QuickBooks

With just a few simple steps, integrating Clio and QuickBooks Online can transform how your law firm manages finances and case data. By syncing billing, payments, and trust transactions seamlessly, you can save time, reduce errors, and streamline your practice’s operations. The integration allows you to focus more on your clients and less on administrative tasks, ensuring that your financial data is always accurate and up-to-date. Get started today and experience the ease and efficiency of Clio and QuickBooks working together to simplify your firm's workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does Clio Integrate with QuickBooks Online?

Yes, Clio integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online, making it easier to manage your law firm’s financial data. The integration allows you to sync invoices, payments, and trust transactions between the two platforms, saving time and reducing manual data entry. This ensures that your accounting and practice management systems are always up-to-date and accurate.

How Much Do QuickBooks Online Bookkeepers Make?

QuickBooks Online bookkeepers typically earn between $45,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on experience and location. Freelance bookkeepers often charge hourly rates that range from $20 to $40 per hour. Rates can vary based on the complexity of the work and the bookkeeper’s skill set, especially if they hold additional certifications or handle advanced tasks.

What Are the Three Types of User Permissions in QuickBooks Online Accountant?

In QuickBooks Online Accountant, there are three main types of user permissions:

  • Master Admin – Has full control over all company data and settings.
  • Company Admin – Access to financial data and management, but limited control over overall system settings.
  • Custom User – Permissions can be tailored to specific tasks, like managing payroll or viewing financial reports.

These permissions help ensure that each user only has access to the information and features they need for their role.

How Do I Give My Bookkeeper Access to QuickBooks Online?

To give your bookkeeper access to QuickBooks Online, log into your account and click the Gear icon in the top right. From the dropdown menu, select Manage Users, then click Add User. Choose the user type that fits your bookkeeper's role, like Standard User for accounting tasks. Enter their details and send the invitation. Once accepted, your bookkeeper will have access based on the permissions you've set.

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