Bookkeeping, payroll, and CFO services for San Diego's small businesses.

Call or Text: (619) 417-8735

How do I connect my bank account to QuickBooks?

In QuickBooks Online, go to Banking in the left menu, click Link Account, then search for your bank by name. QuickBooks uses a service called Plaid to connect to most financial institutions. You’ll enter your online banking login credentials and may need to complete multi-factor authentication through your bank’s security process.

Before you start, make sure you have online banking access set up with your financial institution. QuickBooks can’t connect to accounts that don’t have online access enabled on the bank’s side.

After connecting, QuickBooks imports your recent transactions, typically 90 days of history. This is where people often make mistakes. Imported transactions show up in the Banking tab for review, not directly in your accounts. You need to categorize and accept each one to add it to your books. If you already entered the same transactions manually, match them to the existing entries instead of adding them or you’ll create duplicates that throw off your balances.

Some banks connect more reliably than others. Large national banks usually work well. Smaller credit unions or local banks sometimes have connection issues or require frequent re-authentication. If your bank doesn’t appear in the search or the connection keeps failing, you can import transactions manually using CSV or QFX files downloaded from your bank’s website.

Multi-factor authentication can cause ongoing friction. Some banks send a verification code every time QuickBooks refreshes the connection, which means logging into QuickBooks regularly to complete the verification. Check your bank’s security settings if disconnection becomes a recurring problem.

Connect every account you use for business purposes, including credit cards. Having bank feeds for all accounts makes reconciliation faster and reduces the chance of missing transactions. If you’re configuring QuickBooks for the first time, QBO setup and training covers bank connections along with your chart of accounts, opening balances, and category rules so everything works together from the start.

Once your accounts are connected, the real work is staying on top of the imported transactions. Letting them pile up for months defeats the purpose of having bank feeds. A San Diego bookkeeper can handle the ongoing categorization and reconciliation if you’d rather not deal with it yourself.

San Diego's Small Business Bookkeeper

The Next Step:
A Short Conversation

A quick call to tell us about your business. We'll listen, answer your questions, and give you a clear price quote.

More Questions

What are California employer requirements for small businesses?

California employers must register with the EDD, carry workers' comp insurance, follow strict wage and hour laws, and provide mandatory sick leave. Many requirements kick in at specific employee thresholds.

Read answer

What does a bookkeeper actually do?

A bookkeeper maintains the day-to-day financial records of your business. They categorize transactions, reconcile accounts, manage bills and invoices, and produce monthly financial statements that show how your business is performing.

Read answer

How do I set up payroll for my small business?

Start with an EIN from the IRS, then register with your state's tax and employment agencies. You'll need to set up withholding calculations, choose a payroll system, and establish a schedule for tax deposits and filings.

Read answer

What is prevailing wage and how do I track it?

Prevailing wage is the minimum hourly rate required on public works projects, set by government agencies for each trade and region. Tracking it requires separating hours by project, maintaining accurate trade classifications, and submitting certified payroll reports.

Read answer

How do I account for short-term rental income?

Track gross rental income from each booking, not just the net payout you receive. Platform fees, cleaning fees, and TOT collected all need to be recorded separately so your books reflect the true economics of your rental.

Read answer

Can a bookkeeper fix years of neglected books?

Yes. Bookkeepers regularly handle catch-up work for businesses with years of neglected records. As long as bank statements and basic documentation exist, the books can almost always be reconstructed and brought current.

Read answer

Fresh Ledger provides full-service bookkeeping for San Diego County's small businesses. We handle monthly financials, payroll setup, and part-time CFO services for local business owners who want their numbers done right.

Client Reviews

5-Star Rated Firm
  • Intuit ProAdvisor Platinum Tier badge
  • QuickBooks Online Certification Level 1 badge
  • QuickBooks Online Payroll Certification badge

© 2026 Fresh Ledger LLC