Version trap

We got an "accountant's copy from a client (later discovered it was made in version 6). We made many changes and created the "accountant's changees.AIF file with QBaccountant 2003. The client's QB Version 6 will not accept and read the AIF file. The error message reports ".....file created with a different version". No kidding!

We can not find a way to create the AIF file in an earlier version. Is there any way to get our changes in their file? We do not have Version 6.

Reply to
Rich V
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Nope - must be the same version as your client uses.

Reply to
none

Edit the AIF file. It may have a Version number in it near the top that corresponds to the yearly file number for QuickBooks files. For QB 2003, the file number is 12 (click ctrl-1 or F2 to see this). Find our what the file number for 6 is and edit the AIF and change the version to this number.

Reply to
Karl Irvin

DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER.

I would check this poster's credentials before sending this modified file to my client. What about the revision number and are you sure there were no changes in the required file structure.

Reply to
Allan Martin

Based on his previous posts over the years, Karl clearly has a good knowledge of QuickBooks. So his "credentials" are sound. That being said, the original poster should definitely have his client make backups of his QB file, run a test with the edited AIF file, and do a thorough check of the data afterwards.

The QB version numbers are as follows:

QB Version 6 (6) QB Version 99 (7) QB Version 2000 (8) QB Version 2001 (9) QB Version 2002 (10) QB Version 2003 (12) QB Version 2004 (13) QB Version 2005 (15)

Reply to
klunk

Solution: get version 6. I have all versions going back quite a few years (including multiple versions for the years that Intuit changed file formats one or more times during a year).

Reply to
Thomas Healy

Better solution, have client upgrade to 2005 and generate additional consulting fees training client on the new version.

Reply to
Allan Martin

Do you really have people pay you to train them on newer QB versions? The program hasn't changed enough, in any new version, to warrant training if you already have a basic knowledge of a prior version. Its cheaper for the accountant to buy a used copy of 6.0 than it is to ask a client to pay $200+ (depending on version) for an upgrade just so their accountant can modify the books for them. A printout of AJEs would work just as well and be cheaper for the client. Some clients may not have a problem with it but alot of sole proprietorships or very small businesses would.

Reply to
Tee

Actualy no, there are far to many idiots around (that make their livings from QB) that have nothing beter to do all day then to give away free advice on the internet. It has become so comon place that most users that frequent the forums place very little value if any at all to the information received. It like music, " its free man".

The

No changes from version 6 to 15?

Its cheaper for the

It is a violation of the license agreement to sell your old version of QB, especially since the reason most users have an old copy is because they upgraded (at a reduced price) to newer version. Are you advocating that people break the law?

In addition if the accountant has to flip flop from one version to another for each different client, he or she must invariablity lose productivity. This loss equates to extra time spent which any smart accountant (that wants to stay in business) must pass on to their client. Penny wise and pound foolish I say.

than it is to ask a client to pay $200+

That is only a single advantage of upgrading there are many more.

A printout of AJEs would work just as well and be

What makes you so sure this equals a lower fee in all cases?

Some clients may not have a problem with it but

Reply to
Allan Martin

This is why I am a consultant and you are a bookeeper.

Reply to
Allan Martin

Well there's nothing to stop people from sharing their knowledge, or lack thereof, I personally find it beneficial to be able to give & receive advice online.

I didn't say there were no changes but I'd bet anyone using 6.0 can walk right into any of the 2000 versions without problem.

Pretty much. I don't much care for paying good money for something then being told I'm never allowed to resell it when I'm finished with the product.

I think an accountant who only maintains the latest version, or maybe a couple of versions, of any popular software for small businesses is limitig themselves. It doesn't take anymore time to startup '99 than it takes to startup '05. Its no extra work outside of the 10 minutes it takes to install another version.

And sometimes there are disadvantages as well. I'm not very impressed with my recent upgrade and find that they messed with things that didn't need messing with.

I just can't imagine a scenario that would take an accountant $200 worth of billable hours to type into his computer a list of AJEs, not for a small business anyway(since a huge corporation isn't likely to be using an extremely old version of QB).

Reply to
Tee

Yes well I'm a consultant as well but I don't charge anyone for QB training unless they are brand-spanking-new to the program. I find that anyone who has used the program before knows enough about it to navigate just fine in newer versions. The concepts don't change.

Reply to
Tee

Except in your case you seem to give 99.9999% and receive only .00001%.

Oh my, are we a tad overly optomistic about the average joe's computer savy?

You are going to burn in hell. In any event you don't buy software you purchase a license to use it. It is never yours to do as you please. You can't sell something that was never yours in the first place.

Thats right I was taking about the seconds differential of startup times for the differnet versions that cause loss in productivity. I guess you got me on that one.

So you should go back to version 6 from 1998 like the OP's client.

You lack an imagination as well as a distorted understanding of todays professional billable rates.

Reply to
Allan Martin

Have you become so jaded that you can't see the value in all of your training and experience? I guess your paying customers will take your lead and see no value there also. Hence you give it away for free, after all its not worth anything, is it?

Reply to
Allan Martin

It's hard to believe you have any clients.

-- Vic Roberts Replace xxx with vdr in e-mail address.

Reply to
Victor Roberts

On this ng yes but on others no. I give advice when I think I have knowledge that may be useful in return for my ability to ask for advice and receive it when I need it. I don't ask for it often because I prefer to do my own research but there have certainly been times when I've been in a rush, too lazy or unable to find the answers I need and others have been willing to help.

I don't think so. I'll be the first to admit that much of JQP is computer ignorant outside of internet surfing and MS Office apps. But QB is an app with the same workings, they just change the appearance and add new reporting features. The bookkeeping concepts don't change and neither does the jargon. If you could get your books done in 6.0 then you should be able to get them done in 2005 without help, or any significant amount of help.

Yes, I know.

I know that's the concept but my puny brain cannot wrap itself around it.

I actually find it much easier to have my clients on different versions of QB because then I can have several company files open at once. When I have a handful using the same version I have to stop what I'm doing to switch company files should I get a phone call or email asking for something.

Tsk Tsk. The furthest back I can go is '99 but I do like '04 better than '05.

I work with a handful of accountants from different firms, some sole proprietors, from different parts of the county. If my understanding of today's billable rates is distorted then it must be an area-specific thing in which case how do you know that the rates you're getting in your area aren't out of line with the average in other areas?

Reply to
Tee

No. I know the value is there but I prefer to help people when I can rather than charge for everything. It brings me more business and enhances my reputation. The last 3 clients I picked up were referrals from other clients. My clients know I give them freebies because I find polite ways of letting that "slip" and in return I'm offered their services at cost plus a happy client who tells other people about me.

Reply to
Tee

Pardon my French but your full of shit. Give us a break here.

Reply to
Allan Martin

I have to scratch my head sometimes. I just can't believe it. How can I be so stupid as to actuallly think that even sugesting that someone can make a living from QB consulting on this newgroup would fly?

Reply to
Allan Martin

In my area you can't get a plumber to come to your premises and plunge out a toilet for less than 200.00. Don't even get me started with what it will cost if you ever get a tooth ache.

Reply to
Allan Martin

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