Start with the books, then the view
A dashboard that shows a profit that is not real is worse than no dashboard. Before we touch the display we reconcile accounts, clear uncategorized transactions and check that income lands in the right place. After that, the charts mean what they say.
What we put in front of you
Profit and loss for the month and the year to date, compared with the same period last year. Cash in the bank and what customers owe you, with the oldest unpaid invoices listed. What you owe vendors and when it is due. A short list of expenses that grew the most. If you have contractors, a vendor total report for your 1099 list.
Reports worth saving
QuickBooks lets you save customized reports and schedule them to be emailed. We build a small set: a monthly profit and loss, a balance sheet, an accounts receivable aging, an accounts payable aging and a contractor payments summary. Each is saved with the date range and columns you need so the numbers are comparable month to month.
Classes, locations and projects
If you run more than one line of business, a location or a job, tracking categories let a single profit and loss be split by line. They are useful but add work at data entry, so we only recommend them when you will use the answer.
What to check on your plan
The tools available depend on your QuickBooks Online plan and change over time. Ask which reports, user seats and tracking features your plan includes, and check Intuit's current plan page before upgrading.
Common questions
Can you build the dashboard in my existing QuickBooks file?
Yes. We work in the file you own, with user access you control.
How often does the dashboard update?
As often as the books are updated. With monthly bookkeeping, the numbers are current to the last close.
Is MCC Solutions affiliated with Intuit?
No. We are independent and use QuickBooks Online on behalf of clients.
This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Software plans and features change, so confirm current details with the provider. MCC Solutions is independent and not affiliated with the software companies named here.