How to Choose the Right QuickBooks Option for Your Project

4. QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus

Cost: $799/year 

Number of users: 1-5

Of your total QuickBooks options, QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus is truly a platform all its own. You can stick with the standard QuickBooks interface if you prefer. However, you can also choose to use industry-specific features like those for retail or nonprofit. 

This option is likely not the one someone in need of production accounting software will use. We’re adding it so that you are aware of all the QuickBooks options out there, but there’s no reason to pay more for features you probably won’t need.

Outside of this unique option, though, there are characteristics of Premier Plus to recommend it. For one, you can have up to five users for just a few hundred more dollars per year if three isn’t enough. And two, Premier Plus offers QuickBooks payroll options. 

In fact, minus QuickBooks Self-Employed, payroll services can be added to all QuickBooks options. Keep in mind, though, that there are additional fees for that particular feature, which vary according to which platform you use. 

Also, consider the functionality of QuickBooks payroll for your needs. Yes, QuickBooks is a popular choice for production accounting. But its payroll feature does not necessarily support the specific needs of production payroll, such as requirements for union workers. 

Moreover, like Pro Plus, it may be challenging for novice production accountants or line producers to navigate the Premier Plus interface. And again, if you have no need for those industry-specific features, it could be pricier than necessary for your needs.

Pros:

• 200-plus integrations
• Advanced features in addition to accounts payable, expense tracking, invoicing, etc.
• Strong accounting system
• Standard QuickBooks option OR industry-specific features
• Accountant
• Contractor
• Manufacturing/wholesale
• Nonprofit
• Professional services
• Retail
• Can add payroll for additional fee

Cons:

• Could be challenging to learn
• Could be pricey if you don’t need industry-specific features
• Only for PC users

QuickBooks Enterprise

Cost: $1,340/year

Number of users: 1-40

Large production companies or productions with multiple units – think The Amazing Race or the Mission: Impossible series –  may want to consider QuickBooks Enterprise. In large part, that’s because this particular production accounting platform allows for up to 40 users on it.

This robust system also has great storage space and strong customer support. In fact, it’s called Priority Circle, which speaks to the attention Enterprise customers get. 

But you will pay for it. It’s the most expensive of the QuickBooks options, and that’s not even including payroll. Yes, Enterprise is also among your QuickBooks payroll options, but again there’s a fee on top of what you’re already paying.

As with the other aforementioned desktop options, it’s also a more challenging interface to master should you choose it.

Pros:

• 200-plus integrations
• Advanced features in addition to accounts payable, expense tracking, invoicing, etc.
• Ample storage space
• Great for big businesses
• Strong accounting system
• Strong customer support
• Can add payroll for additional fee 

Cons:

• Could be challenging to learn
• Only for PC users
• Overall the most expensive option

6. QuickBooks Mac Plus

Cost: $549/year

Number of users: 1-3

While not a must in production, Macs are a hugely popular choice for desktop computer users in the industry. Lucky for all those Apple aficionados, there’s a QuickBooks Mac Plus!

It’s great for Mac desktop users, but there are drawbacks. Like Pro Plus, Mac Plus limits users to three. There are no integrations or mobile apps, and it doesn’t enjoy as strong of a customer support system as the PC QuickBooks options.

However, this strong accounting system is easy to grasp even for new production accountants, which can be reason enough to get it if you’re a Mac desktop user and new to accounting.

Pros:

• Easy user interface
• For Mac desktop users!
• Multiple accounting features: accounts payable, budgeting, expense tracking, invoicing, etc.
• Strong accounting system
• Can add payroll for additional fee

Cons:

• Can’t purchase a subscription online
• Lacking customer support
• No integrations
• No mobile apps
• Only for limited users

Wrapbook’s integration with QuickBooks

We’ve mentioned that there are some QuickBooks payroll options for an additional fee.

But if you’re handling accounting and payroll for your production, it only makes sense to integrate a premier accounting system like QuickBooks with its premier payroll counterpart – Wrapbook!

Wrapbook does indeed integrate with QuickBooks Online, which means that you can easily and quickly upload your Wrapbook payroll log into this QuickBooks option.

Take advantage of the immediate transfer of all worker information, including wage rates, compensation, and taxes. Enjoy custom field mapping with our integration that results in automatic bill object generation to the correct bank account, expense account, and vendor.

Especially when doing your own payroll in QuickBooks means more manual labor and additional time to input that information, the safe choice is integrating with Wrapbook.

Save time. Prevent mistakes. Avoid unnecessary production headaches. 

Wrapping up

QuickBooks in all its versions has become a go-to for many production accounting professionals – as has Wrapbook for production payroll. Our comprehensive payroll features offer easier compliance for employees and contractors alike on productions of any duration and in any state.

We’ve got your payroll needs covered so that you can focus on that next great project. To see what we can do for you, set up a demo.