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userchasemesser
January 14, 2021
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We are a new user, and have questions on setup-whether using locations and classes or classes and sub-classes is best for our multi-location, multi department business?

  • January 14, 2021
  • 1 reply
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Understanding the best set up for our business will be helpful so we can start to record revenue and expenses correctly, it needs to play a big part in creating financial statements that are similar to those we had from the previous accounting software Dynamics SL.
Best answer by MaryLandT

I can share some learning about the location and class feature in QuickBooks Online (QBO), userchasemesser.

 

You can split up your business into departments or different properties. Your stores are the locations while different departments within a store are your classes.

 

Here's an example:

 

  • Location: Three different business units within the business.
  • Classes: Income services and products provided within each unit.

In this example, the Locations could be consulting business, installation business, and retail sales. Classes could be the different services you provide and the products that you sell.

 

You need to know where a majority of your business income and expenses are coming from. Then, start tracking this important information using the Locations and Classes feature. 

 

Once they're turned on, you can setup correctly to see which area of the business is thriving, and which isn’t. Whenever you're ready, check these articles for instructions and detailed steps:

 

Let me know if you need additional information by commenting below. I'll be around to help categorize your business locations.

1 reply

MaryLandT
MaryLandTAnswer
January 14, 2021

I can share some learning about the location and class feature in QuickBooks Online (QBO), userchasemesser.

 

You can split up your business into departments or different properties. Your stores are the locations while different departments within a store are your classes.

 

Here's an example:

 

  • Location: Three different business units within the business.
  • Classes: Income services and products provided within each unit.

In this example, the Locations could be consulting business, installation business, and retail sales. Classes could be the different services you provide and the products that you sell.

 

You need to know where a majority of your business income and expenses are coming from. Then, start tracking this important information using the Locations and Classes feature. 

 

Once they're turned on, you can setup correctly to see which area of the business is thriving, and which isn’t. Whenever you're ready, check these articles for instructions and detailed steps:

 

Let me know if you need additional information by commenting below. I'll be around to help categorize your business locations.

    U
    userchasemesserAuthor
    January 14, 2021

    Hi MaryLandT, 

    Thank you so much for your feedback, so very helpful.

    We are a 9 store company with three revenue based departments at each. 

    My gut told me that setting up the each of the 9 stores as a location and the departments as three classes was the logical way to go, but after speaking to other QB  users and receiving their suggestion to use only classes and sub-classes for our set up, I thought that checking with the QBO online community might be helpful. So glad to have this resource!

    I'm curious, is there a major difference (pros and cons) in the location+class versus class+sub-class set ups when it come to setting up and running reports? How about with booking revenues and expenses - the one item I see here is that expense allocations aren't really possible with the location+class set up, but a journal entry to reclass can remedy this.

      C
      Catherine_B
      January 15, 2021

      Thanks for keeping us posted, userchasemesser.

       

      We have reports ready sorted by class and location depending on how you assign your transactions. When you use the location tracking feature if you do business in multiple locations. Also, locations can only be assigned to an entire transaction. Class location tracking, on the other hand, lets you classify the items you sell which you can assign one to each row in the transaction. 

       

      When you create expenses, checks, or bills, you still have the option to enter a class or location. Same thing with creating Journal entries. You can turn the feature on and see how it's being displayed on your transactions. 

       

      Let me show you how: 

       

      1. Go to the Gear icon and select Account and settings.
      2. Under the Advanced menu, click the Categories section.
      3. Toggle to turn on classes and locations. Select your preference.
      4. Click Save and then Done. 

      Then, you can try opening a sales form or expense transaction. The links shared by my colleague will help you identify which feature best fits your business settings. You'll also want to check out this link for more detail in running and customizing your report. 

       

      Let us know if you need anything else. You take care and have a great day!

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