Import data from desktop accounting software

To import client data from third-party desktop accounting software, use the Cloud Import Utility to generate an import file that you can later import from the Datasets tab on the Data page of your Caseware Cloud engagement. The Caseware Cloud Import Utility supports most desktop accounting software.

For a complete list of third-party accounting software, see Supported third-party desktop accounting software. Note that the options available to you when you import vary depending on your product.

Prerequisites

Before you import your client data, ensure you complete the prerequisite steps for your accounting software. See Prerequisites for importing from desktop accounting software for more information.

To learn how to import data from QuickBooks desktop or Sage desktop, see the following:

• Import from QuickBooks desktop.

• Import from Sage desktop.

For all other third-party accounting software, use the instructions on this page.

Note: Accounts with zero balances do not automatically import into Caseware Cloud apps with the exception of IDEA. To include zero-balance accounts, you must manually add and assign them to the appropriate financial groups.

Generate the import file

During this step, you download and install the Caseware Cloud Import Utility. Use it to import your client data and generate an import file.

To generate the import file:

1. Download the Caseware Cloud Import Utility.

Caseware Cloud Import Utility(.exe)

Ensure you save the .exe to a new or unique folder, as it will extract a large number of files to the folder when run.

2. Open the Utility, select Other Data Source and select Next.

3. In the Import From and Version fields, specify the accounting software you're exporting from.

   The content of the page changes depending on your selection.

4. Browse to the Import Path of the client file you want to import.

   If your accounting software requires you to specify a client file, you will see the Select Client ID File drop-down. If there is more than one file, be sure to select the correct one here.

5. Select Next. The New File Wizard Complete page displays.

   This shows the location of a temporary file that will be used to generate the final .zip file with the imported data.

6. Select Finish to perform the conversion.

   After the data is generated, the Save As dialog displays.

7. Navigate to the desired location to save the .zip file and select Save.

   Note: If you're importing data into IDEA using the Cloud Import Utility, do not proceed to import the data. Your next step is to import the zip file into IDEA. See the IDEA Help for detailed instructions.

Import the data

After you generate the zip file using the Caseware Cloud Import Utility, you can import the data into your engagement.

To import the data into your engagement:

1. Open your Caseware Cloud engagement. When you first open the engagement, the Engagement properties popup appears. Set Year end date to be the same as the data you are about to import.

   The year-end date is the last element of the name of the zip file you generated. For example, for the file named UNIVERSAL CONSTRUCTION 2025-06-30.zip, the year-end date is June 30, 2025.

2. Go to the Data page. The Data page opens to the Datasets tab.

• If you’ve previously imported data, select Add data.

• If your engagement is consolidated and has internal subsidiary entities, select which entity you want to import data for from the list.

3. Select your desktop accounting software from the list of data sources.

   If the option is not visible, you can use the search box to find it.

4. At the Upload stage of the import wizard, select or drag-drop the zip file you generated using the Caseware Cloud Import Utility, then select Next.

5. At the Configure Data stage of the import wizard:

   • Reporting period is automatically filled with the reporting period of the data.

   • Year start date is automatically filled with the start date of the data.

   • Year end date is automatically filled with the end date of the data.

6. In Select dataset type, choose the type of dataset you are importing.

   To learn more about the dataset options, see Dataset types. Note that some dataset types may not be available in your product.

7. If you selected Trial balance, collapse the list of dataset types by selecting the Collapse icon (). Notice the Import the last 5 years of TB option appears. Select it to import up to five years of trial balance data if it is available in the zip file you generated.

8. Select Next.

9. At the Confirmation stage of the import wizard, review the information and select Import.

To view the imported data, click View data next to the dataset you imported.

A new page appears displaying the data.

By default, all the columns in your dataset display. Click Columns to deselect those you want to hide.

Click Filters to filter the data displayed in the dataset.

For more information, refer to View the client's general and subledger data.

Reimport the trial balance