Jaclyn Anku, ProAdvisor Training & Certification Leader: On today's episode of In the Know, we'll hear more about the new user interface testing in QuickBooks Online, so that you know the what, why, when and how.
To tell us more, let me welcome my friend and colleague, Kim Amsbaugh, who leads Corporate Communications for accountants at Intuit. Kim, welcome.
Kim Amsbaugh: Thanks for having me. Jaclyn.
Jaclyn Anku: Well, Kim, as we know, a few weeks ago, we sent an email to our community of ProAdvisors, letting them know about this new user interface testing in QuickBooks Online. Can you tell me a little bit more about what it is that we're testing?
Kim Amsbaugh: Absolutely. What we're striving to do is bring together the power of QuickBooks and MailChimp into one integrated platform. So to that end, we're just starting to test what a combined user interface and experience could look like when a small business logs in to their integrated, combined QuickBooks and MailChimp account. I'll quickly add that we actually shared this vision of bringing the power of QuickBooks and MailChimp together back in October at Intuit Connect. We're just starting the process of getting customer feedback on what this potential experience could look like.
Jaclyn Anku: Kim, I love that you brought up Intuit Connect. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience when Dave Talach shared his product vision and talked about the “why” behind this new user interface. Could you share with our audience the pain points small businesses face that really led to the why?
Kim Amsbaugh: Sure. So right now, if a small business has a QuickBooks and MailChimp account, they have to log into those accounts separately. What we're looking at is how can we provide one place where businesses can log in once and see a home screen that brings together their QuickBooks and MailChimp accounts, and shows how that data integrates seamlessly so they can take immediate action.
Jaclyn Anku: Okay, so building on that, what is it that Intuit is looking to learn during this testing phase?
Kim Amsbaugh: Right now, what we're looking to learn is the following: Are customers understanding the layout of the user interface? Do they know where to go? Do they understand what they need to do to take certain actions within QuickBooks and MailChimp?
Jaclyn Anku: Speaking of our customers, I know this is something our ProAdvisors will be particularly interested in. Who are we testing this new user interface with?
Kim Amsbaugh: The test is open to brand new QuickBooks Online customers. What I mean by that is that these are customers who don't have an existing QuickBooks account. In addition, these are new QuickBooks customers who are not connected to an accounting professional such as a ProAdvisor, accountant, or bookkeeper.
Jaclyn Anku: That's really important. So these are small businesses who are new to QuickBooks. Do they opt into the experience, Kim?
Kim Amsbaugh: Yes, qualifying businesses must opt into the test in order to participate.
Jaclyn Anku: Okay, so how does this new user interface testing affect our ProAdvisor partners, if at all.
Kim Amsbaugh: Chances are this test won't impact most ProAdvisors, because, as I just mentioned, we're only inviting customers who are not only new to QuickBooks, but who also are not attached to an accountant or ProAdvisor. But that being said, a business participating in the test may eventually attach themselves to a ProAdvisor, so in that instance, a ProAdvisor who would log in to a newly attached client may see the new user interface through QuickBooks Online Accountant.
Now, the only thing that I'd add here is the reason we emailed ProAdvisors a few weeks ago. We know this is a busy time of year and that workflows for accountants are extremely important, so we didn't want ProAdvisors to be surprised and not understand what's going on, especially at this time of the year—should they get attached to a QuickBooks customer who is participating in the test. If that’s the case, an accountant can actually log that customer out on their behalf.
Jaclyn Anku: Okay, so just to make sure to play that back, a ProAdvisor can opt out their client if they start working with a client who has a new user interface. Is that correct?
Kim Amsbaugh: That is correct.
Jaclyn Anku: Kim, thank you so much for giving the voiceover and context to the new user interface testing. Is there anything else that you might care to share with the ProAdvisor community?
Kim Amsbaugh: Yes, a couple of things. Just to provide a little bit more detail on how a ProAdvisor would be able to opt out their client when they go and access their clients books. What they'll do is see the gear icon at the top of the page, click on that gear icon, and a window will pop up. At the bottom of that window, there will be a prompt that says, “Leave early access program.” A ProAdvisor can simply click on that prompt, and the business will leave the test. When that happens, QuickBooks will revert to its standard user interface. That's really important; I wanted to walk through this so everyone understands and sees what that experience looks like.
I'll say that our vision of bringing QuickBooks and MailChimp together includes both the small business and ProAdvisor communities. So as I said, we're just starting off on this journey, and we want and need ProAdvisor feedback as well. As we further test this user interface, not only are we getting small businesses feedback, but we'll be reaching out to the accounting community, too, and asking for folks to participate in a test.
Jaclyn Anku: That's amazing and on the In The Know program. We are committed to keeping you in the know, so as we listen and learn to the community, you can always tune into this program for news updates. That way you can follow along with how the product's evolving. Well, Kim, thank you so much for being on the show. It's such a joy to have you here, and I have a feeling it may be the first time, but not the last time we're seeing you.
Kim Amsbaugh: I loved being here, and happy to come back to share more details as we progress.
Jaclyn Anku: Thanks Kim, and thank you for watching. If you like what you saw today, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, so that you don't miss a single episode. We'll catch you next time.
