Do I have to enter client names?

Hi there nemoth and welcome to the QuickBooks Online family!

It sounds like you're at the beginning of your journey using QuickBooks Online Accountant. I know you'll love all of the awesome functionality that comes with this version of our accounting software, and the ability to access it while on the go. Managing your books and the books for your clients has never been easier! Let me go over the process of adding new clients so you're familiar with what's required.

When logged on to your QuickBooks Online Accountant firm, you'll be directed first to your Client page. In the upper right you'll notice the Add client button which allows you to add new clients to your list, whether they use QBO or not. You'll have to choose whether the client is a business or individual, and then you're required to enter a name as well as an email address. This is simply a way to keep your client list organized and to help you access client files more easily. 

Since it sounds like bypassing the client name field would save you time, I suggest submitting feedback on this to our product development team. You can do this by accessing the Gear icon then selecting Feedback. Your ideas help to shape the new features and improvements that are made to the program, so it's important to us that you share your thoughts.

If there's anything else I can do to help the transition from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online go as smoothly as possible, don't hesitate to let me know.