QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Online Accountant are two related but distinct offerings from Intuit, the company that develops QuickBooks accounting software. They serve different purposes and are designed for different users.

Here are the key differences between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Online Accountant:

QuickBooks Online:

1. Business Accounting Software: QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software designed primarily for small businesses and self-employed individuals. It is used to manage a company’s financial transactions, track income and expenses, create invoices, pay bills, reconcile bank accounts, and generate financial reports.
2. User Types: QuickBooks Online is typically used by business owners, bookkeepers, and accountants who work within a specific company or organization. Each subscription is associated with a single business entity.
3. Subscription Plans: QuickBooks Online offers various subscription plans tailored to different business needs, including Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. Users choose a plan based on the features and capabilities required for their business.
4. Client Access: QuickBooks Online allows businesses to invite their accountant or bookkeeper to access their financial data as a user, but this access is limited to the specific company’s books.

QuickBooks Online Accountant:

1. Accountant-Centric Platform: QuickBooks Online Accountant is a specialized platform designed for accounting professionals, such as accountants, bookkeepers, and CPAs. It is intended to help accounting professionals manage and work with multiple client companies within a single interface.
2. Multiple Clients: Accountants can manage multiple client companies from a single QuickBooks Online Accountant dashboard. This centralizes their workflow and allows them to access and work on their clients’ books more efficiently.
3. Enhanced Features: QuickBooks Online Accountant offers additional features and tools tailored to accountants, such as the ability to manage multiple clients, batch transactions, and access to the ProAdvisor Program, which provides training and certification resources.
4. Client Collaboration: Accountants can collaborate more effectively with their clients using QuickBooks Online Accountant. They can provide real-time assistance, review client data, make adjustments, and generate reports.
5. Access to Client’s Books: QuickBooks Online Accountant allows accountants to access their clients’ QuickBooks Online files with the client’s permission. This simplifies the review and support process.

QuickBooks Online is the primary accounting software used by businesses to manage their financial transactions, while QuickBooks Online Accountant is a platform designed for accountants to efficiently manage multiple client companies’ books and collaborate with clients. Accountants often use QuickBooks Online Accountant as a tool to streamline their practice and provide better support to their clients who use QuickBooks Online for their business accounting needs.