Cash vs. accrual basis (and whether you need QuickBooks)
The two ways to record income and expenses — and why your method affects whether you need QuickBooks with Uplinq.
Cash vs. accrual basis
Cash basis records income and expenses when money actually moves — when a payment hits or leaves your account. Accrual basis records them when they're earned or owed — when you invoice a customer or receive a bill, regardless of when cash changes hands.
Uplinq's platform keeps books on a cash basis. If your business needs accrual accounting — or features like invoicing, bill pay, inventory, or class tracking — we run your books in QuickBooks Online instead. You can check which method you're on by looking at the accounting-method box on your last tax return.
We're expanding this guide
A fuller explainer with examples is on the way.
What this article will cover
- A plain-English example of the same sale under cash vs. accrual
- How to tell which basis you're on
- Which situations require QuickBooks Online
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