Based on our own firsthand experience, one of the most important is your approval process.

In this blog post, you will answer questions such as:

• Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process?
• How can I set up a custom approval process in QuickBooks?
• How can I manage approval requests?

Continue reading to learn what limitations QuickBooks Desktop presents to the approval workflow process and how you can overcome them.

Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process?

After putting it to the test, the short answer to, “Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process?” is no. Well, not really.

While it is possible to set up custom bill approvals if you are a QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise user, it isn’t comprehensive. For example, you can only set up an invoice approval workflow in QuickBooks if you are a QuickBooks Online Advanced user.

So, unless you use either of these solutions, you should look into alternative options for approvals, including:

• Purchase order approvals.
• Estimate approval workflows.
• Customer approvals.

As a QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise user, here’s how to set up custom bill approvals. You need to create a vendor profile and assign an approver to get started.

From there, set your specific configurations. The approver you assign will receive a notification once an invoice is ready, which they can then approve or reject.

Note that you can set a dollar limit for bills that require approval in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise. You can also create a custom workflow by setting conditions based on a vendor or specific customer.

This is as far as you can go with customizable approval rules in QuickBooks without the help of other solutions. QuickBooks has a basic functionality when it comes to this process, but there are ways to work around this!

How to set up custom approval workflows in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise with Method

If you’re looking for a way to simplify your QuickBooks Enterprise approval workflow, Method CRM is your best bet. With Method, you can manage your:

• Levels of control.
• User access.
• Approval reminder emails.
• Real-time approvals.
• Multi-condition approval workflows.
• Workflow approval process.
• Approval status.

Method’s drag-and-drop interface lets you design an approval workflow from scratch or personalize a pre-made approval template in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise for any number of approvers to sign off on before they are processed. This gives you complete control over your financial processes.

Method CRM lets you set up approval rules for specific:

• Bills.
• Invoices.
• Purchase orders.

This is how it looks:

You can also add conditions to your workflows, such as requiring the approval of a specific budget line item or department head before processing an invoice or bill. This approval feature lets you delegate everyday tasks to focus on the big picture.

QuickBooks approval workflow for bills and purchase orders

1. Log into your account as an admin.
2. Navigate to “Company” and choose the option “Set Up Approval Processes.”
3. Click on “Get Started,” then select “Set up” on the purchase order/bill template option.
4. Fill in the process’s name and provide a detailed description.
5. Specify the criteria for triggering the approval process for purchase orders/bills, such as conditions related to amount, vendor name, vendor type, etc.
6. Select the name of the person responsible for approvals and enter their email address. The email’s subject and body text are customizable.
7. To activate the approval process for all newly issued purchase orders/bills, click “Save & Activate.”

What about other versions of QuickBooks Desktop?

QuickBooks Desktop has several versions, Enterprise being the most advanced. Starting September 30, 2024, Intuit will stop selling all versions of QuickBooks Desktop except for Enterprise. This includes: 

• Pro Plus.
• Premier Plus.
• Mac Plus.
• Enhanced Payroll.

However, customers who use these versions will still receive updates and support. Nothing changes for existing users.

This is why it’s crucial to set up an approval process for Quickbooks Desktop. That way, you’ll be able to manage your processes and permissions without any hitches.

Beyond approvals: Other ways to achieve QuickBooks Desktop automation

Automation is a key part of any business process. It:

• Saves you time.
• Eliminates tedious manual processes.
• Ensures you complete tasks consistently and accurately.

QuickBooks Desktop has some automation features for transactions and scheduled reports. However, these aren’t enough for complex workflows.

So: Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process? Our investigation demonstrated that the answer is not quite — and that’s not the only automation feature it’s lacking.

Fortunately, integrated solutions like Method CRM help you achieve the level of automation you need for your QuickBooks Desktop account.

Method seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks to provide a range of automation tools. With it, you can automate your QuickBooks Desktop approval workflow and any other processes.

Below is a preview of what’s possible with Method CRM:

Final thoughts: Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process?

Although QuickBooks offers some automation features, these are not available to users of all Online and Desktop plans.

Instead, they are reserved for QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise or QuickBooks Online Advanced users. And even then, they are limited.

If you need a more complete approval workflow in QuickBooks Desktop, then Method CRM is the way to go.

Get started with youra free trial of Method today!

Photo credit: Elina via Pexels

The post Does QuickBooks Desktop have an approval process? Top QuickBooks approval workflow tips appeared first on Method.

E-signature allows you and your team to save time on tedious tasks like manual document signage and improve your customer experience by simplifying the online payment process for your clients.

Keep reading to understand:

• How to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice.
• How and why you should add a signature line to your QuickBooks invoice.

Why Method is the best electronic signature QuickBooks invoice option.

Reasons to add signature to QuickBooks invoice

If you’re a small to mid-sized business owner, your plate is likely already full of responsibilities. Your time is valuable, and manual tasks are not the best way to spend it.

Adding signature lines to your QuickBooks invoices with a third-party app integration like Method creates more efficient workflows for you and your sales team.

Here are some key reasons to start adding signature lines to your QuickBooks invoices:

• Completed digital signature lines illustrate that both parties read, understand, and oblige by the terms of the agreement.
• The signage will be stress-free for your customers, reducing back-and-forth communication.
• Process agreements and online payments in a more timely manner.
• Spend more time improving customer relationships with advanced customers.
• E-signatures are more secure than manual signatures and paper checks.
• You will be less likely to misplace signed documents and other essential company files once they’re all online.

Can you add a signature to QuickBooks invoice?

After putting it to the test, adding signature lines to estimates and invoices is not yet an option in QuickBooks business accounting software.

Sure, you can use the ‘Message on invoice’ or ‘Message displayed on estimate fields’ as replacements to indicate what documents need signage.

But wouldn’t it be much more efficient if you could add signature to QuickBooks invoice and estimate templates directly? That said, it’s not very clear how to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice.

The good news is that it gets much easier with a third-party app integration like Method!

Benefits of integrating e-signature software with QuickBooks

With QuickBooks Online app integrations for e-signature, you can add signature to QuickBooks invoice and estimate templates with ease. 

To learn how to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice, you must integrate your account with a QuickBooks app integration.

With only the click of a button, there are many benefits to investing in e-signature software.

Lower transaction cost

Integrating e-signature software with your QuickBooks Online saves your business a lot of money in the long term.

Say goodbye to the expenses of hard copy signatures, like paper, printer cartridges, check printing, and wasted office space.

Speed up your signage processes

No more long processing times for agreements in QuickBooks Online and Desktop! Simplify your agreement process with digital signatures to save time and sign agreements faster.

Customers can pay you from anywhere and have agreements approved in real time using digital signature software.

Increased security for digital documents

There are automated processes to validate that someone signed a record with legitimate credentials when it comes to digital signature software.

Drawing from our experience, added security reassurance encourages your clients to do business with you again.

Single time activity

Once you’ve integrated an e-signature software with QuickBooks Online or Desktop and downloaded a digital signature, the feature is there to stay — and you’ve learned how to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice.

You can enjoy a stress-free signage process and implement signature lines in estimates without trouble.

Greater accuracy of information

Avoid easy errors like double entry and miscalculated expense tracking with a QuickBooks e-signature integration.

How to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice with Method

Know how to add signature line on invoice synced from QuickBooks with a comprehensive solution like Method. First, set up an account and customize your account to implement the electronic signature QuickBooks invoice feature. Out of the box, you get e-signature capture via the Estimates App and Proposals App (pictured below).

If you’re wondering how to add signature line on an invoice synced from QuickBooks, it’s really easy with Method’s powerful, two-way QuickBooks data sync.

With a bi-directional flow of information between both platforms, you can access the most up-to-date data on what documents were signed and which still need signing, and have a quicker approval process.

How electronic signatures on QuickBooks invoices automate your business processes

Based on our firsthand experience, automating e-signature approval speeds up all ends of your business so you can focus on the important stuff. Among these benefits are the following.

Better cash flow

Our research indicates that a typical small business in the United States holds more than $80,000 worth of unpaid invoices. That’s a lot of outstanding revenue for your business!

With electronic signatures in QuickBooks invoices, however, you speed up the time it takes to receive payment. You may even follow up with customers through automated private message follow-ups sent to their business email addresses.

Improve contract process efficiency

Through our practical knowledge, when you know how to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice, you simplify the contract management process, and your business maximizes the potential of its operations. 

Especially, if you choose the electronic signature QuickBooks invoice option. Here’s why.

E-signature lets you:

• Issue digital payments through payment links.
• Accept customer signatures.
• Create sales receipts and forms in real-time to improve your contract process efficiency.

You can then dedicate your efforts to expanding your customer base with all this extra time!

Electronic signature for checks and paychecks

While creating an online signature for checks and paychecks would be ideal to speed up payment processing, it is not currently possible in QuickBooks. 

Draw up estimates and invoices faster

Nobody enjoys drawing up manual sales receipt templates or invoice templates.

Luckily, e-signature software offers custom branding templates for:

• Invoices
• Estimates
• Credit memos
• Sales receipts
• And more!

Here’s an example of what a personalized invoice template in Method can look like.

This helps you issue documents to your customers quickly and keep your document branding on point!

Connect with your customer success manager (CSM) to learn how to build your custom templates.

Electronic signature QuickBooks: It’s possible with Method

Choosing Method as your digital signature software means a seamless integration process and the following benefits.

Unlimited document signage

Unlike other options like DocuSign E-signature Connector, Method lets you sign as many documents as needed! This is important when looking to grow your customer base and invoice volume.

No additional costs

Once you set up your Method account, implementing the QuickBooks Online e-signature feature for estimates and proposals is quick and easy. For your invoice workflow, you get to customize the functionality to make sure it’s right for your business.

Compatible with all versions of QuickBooks Online

Many e-signature software solutions, like DocuSign E-signature, require you to use QuickBooks Online Advanced. However, Method lets you integrate e-signatures and create customizable forms in all versions of QuickBooks, including:

• QuickBooks Desktop.
• QuickBooks Online.
• QuickBooks Online Advanced.

Additional benefits

Method strengthens your brand identity and customer relationships by personalizing the format and design of:

• Invoices.
• Estimates.
• Sales receipts.

This way, all your documents always reflect your brand and contain the information your clients need.

Method isn’t just your e-signature software for signing agreements and accepting online payments in QuickBooks Online. Abundant with powerful tools, it’s also your one-stop shop for optimizing your:

• Sales pipeline.
• Lead management.
• Customer data.
• Activity tracking.
• Reporting.
• Team collaboration.
• Automated scheduling — and so much more!

Plus, you have access to an entire community of experts well-versed in QuickBooks, ready to help you enrich your data with advanced tools.

Recap: How Method + QuickBooks makes life easier

With Method’s long list of powerful integrations and customizable tools, you spend less time entering data and more time growing your business.

Method connects directly to apps like Gmail, Outlook, and Mailchimp, with hundreds of other integrations available via Zapier. It enriches your QuickBooks data in ways that go far beyond customizable invoices, payment page links, and document signage.

Connect with your customer success manager (CSM) about how to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice and enrich your estimate details with features like purchase order history, customer lifetime value, and more.

QuickBooks invoice signature FAQs

How do I add a signature to checks in QuickBooks?

QuickBooks doesn’t offer the option to capture e-signatures or easily add signature files on checks. Using a third-party app is the easiest way to add a signature to checks in QuickBooks.

How do I customize invoices in QuickBooks Online?

To customize invoices in QuickBooks Online, the first step is to add your company’s logo to your template through the “Company Account Settings” menu. This is also possible through the “Design” tab when editing an invoice.

Then, click on the gear icon and select “Custom From Styles” beneath the “Your Company” section of the file menu. Then, select “New Style” followed by “Invoice“.

QuickBooks Online lets you personalize an invoice’s design, content, and email templates — but it’s not easy or comprehensive.

Simplify this process with Method by using its drag-and-drop service for invoice customization. Method also lets you add authorized signatures to simplify your invoicing processes.

Can you send contracts through QuickBooks?

Although QuickBooks doesn’t let you send contracts directly, you can with Method. You can automatically send batch personalized invoices to your clients, request signatures on estimates, and track the status of documents.

This cloud-based program speeds up your quote to cash workflow and simplifies your invoicing process. 

Start your free trial with Method today — no credit card required!

Image credit: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels

The post How to add signature line on QuickBooks invoice appeared first on Method.

At its core, a QuickBooks and DocuSign app integration keeps your business moving forward and your customers happy. 

However, it’s important to ask if a DocuSign QuickBooks integration is what your business needs — and if another solution is better suited for you.

Keep reading to learn:

• What form of DocuSign and QuickBooks integration (if any) is right for your business.
• Why Method beats out other QuickBooks digital signature options.

The value of e-signature capture

Believe it or not, electronic signatures have a direct impact on your business outcomes. Our research indicates that documents get signed 21 times faster with e-signatures. This means you get paid sooner and with less hassle!

“E-signatures are completed 21 times faster than paper signatures.” 

— Forrester, 2017

E-signatures are secure, reliable, and open up more opportunities for repeat business in the following ways.

1. Higher efficiency

Improve manual data entry with an e-signature solution. Signing multiple documents with an e-signature is as simple as clicking a button.

Downloading your e-signature into your QuickBooks account is a single-time activity, so once it’s done, it stays there. You just need to drop in the same signature. As a result, you reduce repetitive tasks and decrease turnaround when getting signatures.

This faster signing process saves you valuable time so you can review agreements sooner. It’s an easy win for driving customer satisfaction. Improve business processes for your whole organization with an e-signature solution.

2. Enhanced security

Because you cannot copy digital signatures, they are much more secure than traditional signatures. 

This ensures your customers that their documents are safe and creates a more positive customer experience. That’s peace of mind for both you and your customers.

3. Improved organization

Every small to medium-sized business knows the importance of staying organized.

Signing all your documents online eliminates the possibility of misplacing hard copies or mishandling client information.

4. Faster turnaround

Quicker document turnaround means you enjoy a shorter quote-to-cash cycle! 

With a DocuSign and QuickBooks Online Advanced integration, you get paid faster and sign documents from anywhere to increase your cash flow.

5. Cost-effective

Maintain a paperless office and save money in the process. Use digital signatures to save money on ink, paper, storage space, and more.

6. User-friendly

Forcing a customer to scan their documents and manually send every file leads to a negative experience, as this is a time-consuming and difficult process. Avoid errors and improve customer satisfaction with the user-friendly interface of an e-signature solution.

7. Better tracking

Seamless integration with your accounting software gives you a single channel to: 

• Check reports. 
• Manage business expenses. 
• Simplify business operations.

Stay organized and keep your customer details, performance history, and billing in the same place.

Benefits of integrating e-signature software with QuickBooks

As mentioned, e-signature capture has many benefits for your business. However, there are still questions to answer about using e-signatures, QuickBooks and DocuSign, such as:

• Why integrate e-signature software with your QuickBooks account? 
• Do you need a third-party app integration for e-signature?
• Is QuickBooks and DocuSign your best option? 

So let’s dive in. 

For starters, you cannot currently implement e-signature capture in QuickBooks without using third-party e-signature software.

This is a significant pain because your financial documents cannot be validated or approved by customers with QuickBooks alone.

Benefits of integrating third-party e-signature software with your QuickBooks account include:

• Better data integrity.
• Transparency with team members and clients.
• Faster estimate and invoicing processes.

Next, let’s look at what the DocuSign and QuickBooks integration offers you.

What is DocuSign QuickBooks integration?

Image credit: Intuit 

A DocuSign QuickBooks integration lets you connect e-signature functionality with QuickBooks Online Advanced to easily get authorized digital signatures on estimates and invoices.

How does the QuickBooks and DocuSign integration work?

A DocuSign QuickBooks integration tool lets you get customer signatures directly in QuickBooks. This means your customers can sign invoices from their own devices on their own time.

Key features

With DocuSign’s e-signature integration tool, you get:

• Unlimited templates.
• Basic fields.
• Text tags for field creation.
• Role-based or free-form signature invites.

Use DocuSign and QuickBooks Online Advanced together to:

• Send transaction documents to your customers. 
• Associate a digital payment tag with e-signatures.
• Outline signers and the signing order.

However, this integration isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution. More on this below.

Limitations

While the DocuSign QuickBooks E-signature Connector offers fantastic features, it has some deal-breaking limitations.

For one, the integration is currently only for QuickBooks Online Advanced users. So, not only do you have to implement a paid app integration. You also have to upgrade your QuickBooks account to QuickBooks Online Advanced to use it.

Depending on your plan, you may have a limited number of documents you can apply e-signatures to. Signature limits hinder your growth because you must pay more as you take on new customers or share more documents.

Finally, DocuSign plans are expensive. For example, the Intermediate plan is $300 monthly and only includes 100 documents.

Considering these limitations, looking at QuickBooks and DocuSign alternatives is a good call.

The better QuickBooks and DocuSign alternative — Method

The DocuSign and QuickBooks integration might not be the best fit for your business?

Discover how Method can boost your productivity, automate your estimate process and get you paid sooner with its two-way native sync with QuickBooks! 

The best part is that there are no limits on the number of records you need to be signed with Method.

This app is great for

Method is the #1 tool for QuickBooks users looking to automate the lead-to-cash process.

No other QuickBooks app integration provides you with up-to-date information and handles your unique workflows like Method can! Here’s an example of what Method can do for you.

Key features

• An unlimited number of document signatures each month.
• Your all-in-one financial and business hub.
• Custom document templates.
• Two-way QuickBooks integration for real-time insights.
• Send out and accept customer signatures with personalized workflows. 
• Available for all versions of QuickBooks, including QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, and QuickBooks Online Advanced.
• Cost-effective.

How Method works with QuickBooks

​​Not only do you get e-signature capture when you integrate Method with QuickBooks, but you also get a whole customer relationship management system!

Method works with QuickBooks to create a seamless signage experience for you and your customers. To unlock Method’s e-signature capabilities, simply start your free trial and get a product tour of this feature.

Recap: How to automate e-signature with Method

E-signatures are the way to go when it comes to document approval. Method is the superior option to a QuickBooks DocuSign integration with more functionality at a lower cost.

Here’s a quick refresher on how to get started with Method:

1. Start your free trial. No credit card or contract required.
2. Connect your QuickBooks account.
3. Book your e-signature walkthrough.
4. Get rid of that costly DocuSign subscription!

No matter what you’re working on, Method is designed to make it easier.

DocuSign QuickBooks alternative FAQs

Is DocuSign a free service?

No, DocuSign is not free. DocuSign E-signature Connector starts at $15 for an annual plan if you are the only user. If you need to provide DocuSign for a team, it will run you $25 a month per user for an annual subscription. The cost increases from there depending on your requirements.

How do you connect DocuSign and QuickBooks Online?

If you are a QuickBooks Online Advanced customer, you can install DocuSign E-Signature Connector from the QuickBooks app store.

You will then be able to collect signatures on estimates by selecting “Save and send with DocuSign.”

Does DocuSign integrate with QuickBooks Desktop?

No, DocuSign does not integrate with QuickBooks Desktop. A DocuSign QuickBooks integration is only possible with QuickBooks Online Advanced. 

However, with Method’s integration tool, you can add digital signatures to transaction documents that sync to QuickBooks Desktop. Method connects with any version of QuickBooks accounting software to provide digital signatures on estimates, proposals, and more.

Start your free trial of Method today!

Image credit: sodawhiskey via Adobe

The post DocuSign QuickBooks integration: A better way appeared first on Method.