TO OUR CLIENTS:
As of January 4, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. This means that computers running on Windows 7 will be more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. To avoid these risks, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 10.
At BSLR, the security of our client data is a top priority. To help customers safeguard their personal information, like their Social Security number and bank account information, we strongly recommend that clients using Windows & on their computers upgrade to Windows 10. Our firm is currently in the process of retiring the last of our Windows 7 computers and we urge our clients to do the same.
Related to this is an issue with aging desktop versions of QuickBooks. Intuit only supports versions of QuickBooks for between three and four years after release. Although, the general ledger and related functions will continue to work, Intuit will not provide any technical support in the event of a failure of the software. Users of add-on services like QuickBooks Payroll are not able to use those types of services once Intuit ceases supporting the software.
BSLR routinely receives accountant copies and/or backups of our clients’ QuickBooks files, and works on them in our office; this is often, by far, the most efficient way for BSLR to work with and adjust the data. Our official position is that we only download and use the most recent three/four years of versions of QuickBooks, as supported by Intuit. The January 4, 2020 end of life date for Windows 7 will essentially eliminate our ability to support older versions of QuickBooks. We will no longer download obsolete versions of the software. By January 4, 2020, we will only accept and download data files from QuickBooks 2017 or newer.
If you are considering online versions of QuickBooks as an alternative, we suggest that you contact your BSLR professional to discuss the details. We have generally found the online product to be lacking in some controls that exist in the desktop version and, under some circumstances. that can substantially increase the time that is needed to adjust the books.
Lastly, this is also a good time to be sure that you have an adequate regimen for backing-up all critical data on your computers. We recommend that you discuss the proper means of backing-up your computer systems with your computer support consultants.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss any of these issues.
Sincerely,
Balsamo, Stewart, Lutters & Ruth, P.A.
REMINDER: BY JANUARY 4, 2020, BSLR WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO WORK ON FILES FROM QUICKBOOKS 2017 OR NEWER.