How to practice QuickBooks Online for free
Your options compared
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Intuit's Test Drive | A sample company full of data. Your changes aren't saved when you leave | Clicking around to learn where things are |
| A QuickBooks Online trial | Your own company, which starts empty | Setting up a company from scratch |
| Video tutorials | Someone else doing the task | Seeing a task done once |
| Our free practice test | 20 questions with answers and explanations | Checking what you know before an interview or test |
| BookkeeperReady lessons (free to start, no sign-up) | Realistic tasks in a practice company, checked instantly, with the debits and credits explained | Learning to do the tasks yourself, correctly |
The Test Drive and a trial company don't tell you if you made a mistake. That's the main gap when you're learning on your own. For Intuit's current plans, trials and offers, see its official pricing page.
What to practice first
Practice in the same order a new bookkeeper learns the job:
- The basics: what a transaction is, the accounting equation, and debit and credit.
- Finding your way around: the dashboard, the Create button, search and the chart of accounts.
- Money in: create an invoice, record a sales receipt, and receive a payment against an invoice.
- Money out: enter a bill, pay it, and record an expense paid by card.
- Banking: categorize the bank feed and do a reconciliation.
- Reports: read a profit and loss report and a balance sheet.
A one-week practice plan
| Day | Practice | About |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bookkeeping basics and the accounting equation | 45 min |
| 2 | Debits and credits: write 10 simple entries | 45 min |
| 3 | Find your way around: open invoices, customers and reports | 30 min |
| 4 | Create invoices and sales receipts | 45 min |
| 5 | Receive customer payments, including one for two invoices | 30 min |
| 6 | Enter and pay bills | 45 min |
| 7 | Repeat anything you got wrong, without hints | 30 min |
Common questions
Is there a QuickBooks practice company I can use?
Yes. Intuit's Test Drive opens a sample company full of data, but it doesn't save your changes. Our lessons use a practice company of their own, Maple Street Coffee, where each task is checked as you finish it.
Is there a free version of QuickBooks Online?
Intuit's plans, trials and offers change, so check its official pricing page for what's available today. The Test Drive sample company lets you explore the software without setting up a company of your own.
Does the QuickBooks Test Drive save my work?
No. Intuit says the Test Drive doesn't save any changes you make, so it's good for exploring but not for building up practice over several days.
Where can I find QuickBooks practice exercises with answers?
Our free lessons are practice exercises with the answers built in: every task is checked as soon as you finish, and you can ask for a hint or see the answer if you're stuck.
Related guides
Sources
BookkeeperReady is an independent training product. It has not been approved, sponsored or endorsed by Intuit Inc. and is not affiliated with it. Intuit and QuickBooks are registered trademarks of Intuit Inc. Screens and prices in QuickBooks change; check Intuit's help pages for the latest details.