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Enjoy complimentary data migration when switching from your existing bookkeeper or CPA to Institution.
Institution

Changing bookkeeping providers

Move from Bench or Mainstreet with a clear handover.

Preserve your history, agree the last completed month and confirm who handles open work. This checklist also applies when moving from another bookkeeping service.

Start your transition

Your migration checklist

  1. 1.

    Save your existing records

    Download the general ledger, trial balance, financial statements, reconciliation reports and transaction detail available from your current provider. Save receipts, statements, tax returns and supporting schedules in a separate secure copy.

  2. 2.

    Agree the cutover month

    Identify the last completed and reviewed month, unresolved questions and missing records. Agree which provider owns each remaining period so work is not duplicated.

  3. 3.

    Confirm access and migration scope

    Connect QuickBooks Online or Xero, or arrange accountant access to your existing software. Institution confirms what can be imported, what needs manual work and whether historical cleanup is required.

  4. 4.

    Reconcile opening balances

    Compare the closing trial balance with the opening record in the receiving system. Review bank and card balances, receivables, payables, payroll liabilities and owner activity before accepting the handover.

  5. 5.

    Review the first close

    Check the first statements, remaining exceptions and filing deadlines with your bookkeeper. Keep the exported history and evidence available after the transition.

Migration and cleanup have different scopes

Historical data migration from a previous accountant or accounting software is included at no additional migration charge.

Migration moves existing records. Cleanup corrects or reconstructs incomplete books. Published historical cleanup pricing is $149 / month of cleanup; the periods and work required are agreed before starting.

Finance Desk is $299/month or $2,799/year, plus state fees. Review the plan.

Before cancelling the previous service

Check your current provider's export access, cancellation terms, retention period and any unfinished tax work. Keep your own copies before losing access. Institution cannot guarantee which exports another provider makes available or promise that incomplete books will be ready by a particular filing deadline.

Read Institution's migration process

Migration questions

  • Does Institution charge a migration fee?
    Historical data migration from a previous accountant or accounting software is included at no additional migration charge. Historical cleanup and work outside the agreed scope are separate.
  • What is the difference between migration and catch-up bookkeeping?
    Migration moves existing usable records. Catch-up or cleanup reconstructs or corrects periods that are incomplete or unreliable. Historical cleanup is published at $149 / month of cleanup; agree the periods, source records and deliverables before starting.
  • Can I keep my existing tax preparer?
    Yes. Share the handover date, latest reviewed books and outstanding filing work with the preparer. Institution can coordinate records with your existing professional.
  • How long will migration take?
    Timing depends on available exports, periods, entities, record quality and system access. Confirm a cutover and first-close date after the team reviews the records. Institution cannot guarantee another provider's exports or an urgent tax deadline.
  • What should I export before cancelling?
    Save the general ledger, trial balance, monthly statements, transaction detail, available reconciliations, receipts, prior returns and supporting schedules. Keep your own secure copies and check when access expires.
  • What if my bookkeeper quit or stopped responding?
    Secure access to company-owned systems, preserve available records and identify the last completed month. Share unresolved bank, card, payroll and tax items. Agree what can be imported and what must be rebuilt rather than assuming the prior balances are correct.
  • Do you replace our existing QuickBooks Online account?
    Service clients can connect QuickBooks Online or Xero, or grant accountant access to existing accounting software. The team confirms compatibility and whether migration is needed. Software subscriptions are separate; keep ownership and appropriate access with your company.
  • How do I compare Institution with my current provider?
    Compare the same entities, accounting basis, close deadline, review, reporting and tax scope. Finance Desk is $299/month or $2,799/year, plus state fees. Cleanup, software and specialized filings can be separate.Review the bundle before deciding