From Michelle Vilms, Founding Partner Vilms Consulting:

We’re halfway through 2025—and for many of us in the accounting world, June 30 looms large as the dreaded QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor recertification deadline.

If you’re anything like me, you might start each new year with the best intentions… and then delay as colleagues begin proudly posting their completion certificates on social media. I’ll admit—I procrastinated. As someone who doesn’t always stay 100% IN THE KNOW in real time, I often discover new features in Intuit QuickBooks as I go, rather than keeping up consistently. So, when it’s finally time to recertify, I know I need to carve out a few focused hours to study the updates—no small feat when you’re juggling day-to-day operations.

As a partner and team leader, I strongly encourage professional development. In fact, our entire team is required to maintain QBO certification. Sounds simple enough, right? But let’s be honest—test anxiety is real. That said, what’s been surprising is how this exam has evolved into something of a team ritual for us. We cheer each other on, schedule time for prep, and reinforce the importance of being “best in class” for our clients. And yes—some healthy competition creeps in. Who will finish first? Who will score highest? What’s the coolest new feature you’ve discovered?

Spoiler: I was the last one on our team to finish my recertification this year.

There are the obvious pros of being certified

·  Free Continuing Education credits’

·  Maintain the ProAdvisor benefits. We have benefited from access to the directory placement which has been a great source of referrals over the years.

·  Differentiation creates a competitive edge. Our client base can rely on our knowledge of the software and our resources within the community of professionals that add value

·  Improved efficiencies by understanding the product enhancements and the time-saving workflow opportunities.

What I didn’t fully appreciate was the intangible impact. Team camaraderie grew stronger. Morale got a boost. And personally, stepping away from operations—even briefly—gave me the space to reflect on how we’re scaling and adapting in an AI-driven world. It was a great reminder that intentional pauses lead to better focus and smarter growth.  I was excited about the new features in the bank feed and the strong focus on improving the 1099 process. 

Thanks, Intuit for holding us accountable and listening to our recommendations for improvement. You are the cornerstone of our company and we value your partnership. Thanks to the team that put all the review material together. Your efforts in creating clear information were a great resource for the exams. 

From Kathleen Pinder, Partner Vilms Consulting:

Absolutely loved reading this, and I couldn’t agree more. As the other partner of our firm, I’m incredibly proud of our entire team for consistently rising to the occasion and maintaining their Intuit QuickBooks Online (QBO) certifications year after year. It’s more than a checkbox for us—it’s a reflection of our commitment to excellence and the high standards we uphold for ourselves and for the clients we serve. Watching our team tackle recertification with both determination and collaboration fills me with pride and gratitude.

What makes this milestone so meaningful is the ripple effect it creates—not just in our firm, but in the work we do every day for our clients. The continued learning through QBO certifications equips us with up-to-date knowledge, sharper tools, and greater confidence to solve complex client issues. Here are three of the top QBO enhancements we believe will have a meaningful impact on our clients and how we service them.

1. Streamlined Credit Memos & Vendor Credits

What’s New: Credit memos and vendor credits can now be created directly from the original transaction.

Why It’s Good: This saves time, reduces errors, and eliminates extra steps—bringing a smoother, more intuitive workflow.

2. QuickBooks Bill Pay

What’s New: Clients using Faster ACH Payments can now schedule payments on the same business day (until 5 PM PT) for next-day delivery (excluding weekends and holidays).

Why It’s Good: This added flexibility helps clients avoid late fees, better manage cash flow, and meet payment deadlines more easily, even when payments need to be made last-minute.

3. And last but not least… 🥁🥁🥁 Payroll!

Intuit has rolled out several powerful updates to make payroll faster, more accurate, and less of a headache:

 • Self-Onboarding via Workforce App: Employees can enter their own info—less data entry, fewer errors.

 • Automated I-9 Verification (Premium & Elite): Built right into the onboarding process.

 • Employee Access to Update Direct Deposit Info: Done securely through the QuickBooks web portal.

 • Bulk Employee Updates: Make changes to pay types, rates, and schedules all at once.

 •  Real-Time Tax Payments: Taxes are paid as payroll runs, not at period-end—hello, cleaner cash flow!

 • Payroll on NSF Hold: Even with bank issues, payroll can continue via paper checks.

 • Backdating Paycheck Corrections (90-Day Window): More flexibility to fix past payroll mistakes—no more 3-day crunch.

A heartfelt thank you to Intuit for building such a strong foundation of support with exceptional training resources and thought leadership. Your platform empowers us to grow and adapt, especially in a rapidly evolving landscape. And to our peers who contribute to the recertification materials, your time and insights don’t go unnoticed. Here’s to staying sharp, staying inspired, and continuing to lead with purpose.