How I Discovered IES, and Why It Became the Future of My Practice
Jacob Weberman of On Track Bookkeeping & Accounting tells the story of why he is now 'sold on Intuit Enterprise Suite.'
For more than fifteen years, my professional focus has been on supporting, implementing, and consulting on QuickBooks Desktop for mid-sized and large business clients. Desktop was powerful, stable, and feature-rich—especially for businesses that relied heavily on custom reporting, complex workflows, and robust data processing. For years, I made it my mission to master QuickBooks Desktop and deliver the highest level of service possible.
But everything changed when Intuit began its gradual transition toward cloud-based solutions.
The Change: Decline of Desktop and the Search for What’s Next
As Intuit shifted resources to QuickBooks Online, updates to Desktop slowed. Over time, it became evident that the majority of new features, enhancements, and engineering efforts were dedicated exclusively to the cloud ecosystem. While QuickBooks Online improved steadily, it still lacked critical capabilities that many of my clients relied on, especially large-scale data processing, advanced reporting, inventory management, and flexible custom field support.
I realized that to continue serving my clients effectively, I needed to expand my knowledge beyond QuickBooks. I began studying ERP systems, exploring alternatives, and evaluating whether I should transition to completely new platforms. At the same time, I was hesitant to walk away from the QuickBooks ecosystem I knew so well. I wanted to remain aligned with Intuit if they had a product that could meet the needs of more complex businesses.
That moment came when Intuit introduced Intuit Enterprise Solutions (IES).
Seeing IES for the First Time: Imperfect, but Promising
My first experience with IES was through a demo during its preliminary stages of development. It was clear that the product was unfinished; several features were missing, and half of the capabilities highlighted in the demo weren’t yet live. Still, for the first time in a long while, I felt Intuit was building something truly meaningful.
Two features immediately stood out—features Desktop users had long demanded:
- Consolidated reporting across multiple entities, and
- Dimensions, which are similar to custom fields in QuickBooks Desktop at the transaction-line level.
These capabilities could compete with mid-market ERPs and solve real problems for multi-entity clients, professional service firms, franchise groups, and organizations that require deep financial clarity.
Even with bugs, limitations, and missing components, I sensed a shift at Intuit. They were onto something new. That was when I made my decision: I would stay with Intuit and focus on mastering IES.
From QSP to Full-Time Solutions Partner
At the time, I had already spent over ten years as a QuickBooks Solution Provider (QSP). What started as a side business has grown into a core part of my service offering. However, Intuit was restructuring the reseller model—cutting commissions, changing incentives, and introducing new vetting processes. The direction was unclear, and support for QSPs felt uncertain.
Despite this, I pushed forward. I wanted firsthand experience with IES, real-world use cases, and a proper understanding of what the product could deliver. That opportunity came when one of my long-time Desktop clients insisted on migrating to QuickBooks Online.
Once they realized that custom field functionality didn’t exist online, they were understandably frustrated. This client, a weekly magazine publisher, relied heavily on tracking issue-by-issue cost breakdowns using custom fields. Without that functionality, their workflows immediately broke down.
The solution was IES.
My First Major IES Implementation
We went through Intuit’s new vetting process and upgraded the client to IES. They initially added five entities, and I offered to set up the system at no charge to gain firsthand experience.
A few months later, I demonstrated IES’s consolidated reporting capabilities to their CFO. His reaction was immediate—he was impressed by the clarity and power of the consolidated view. The company expanded its use from five entities to seventeen.
This experience confirmed what I had suspected. IES filled a gap Intuit had never addressed and opened the door to a new category of clients who would otherwise migrate to NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or similar ERPs.
Working with Intuit Engineers: Fixing Bugs and Shaping the Product
Because I worked early with multi-entity clients, I discovered multiple system limitations firsthand—bugs, half-built features, and permission structures not designed for multi-entity use. Instead of walking away, I dove deeper.
I began working directly with Intuit’s engineering team, providing ongoing feedback, bug reports, and improvement suggestions. As updates rolled out, I saw features mature, workflows become smoother, and capabilities expand. My confidence in the product continued to grow.
Meanwhile, more clients—including nursing homes and larger multi-entity businesses—expressed interest in switching to IES. The more projects I completed, the more familiar I became with Intuit’s internal teams. This opened the door to conversations about product direction, functionality gaps, and future capabilities.
Over time, it became clear that IES was evolving into something incredibly powerful.
Building a Future on IES
Today, I support tens of IES clients across hundreds of entities, and the momentum continues to grow. With each update and new release, it’s clear that Intuit is investing in the platform's long-term future. While inventory remains a key reason many clients must stay on Desktop for now, Intuit is actively working toward resolving this limitation.
IES represents the next generation of accounting technology—purpose-built for businesses that previously had no choice but to migrate to complete ERP systems.
Why I Recommend IES
My success with IES stems from one core philosophy: I don’t sell software. I provide solutions.
When IES is the right fit, it can transform a client’s financial operations, especially for multi-entity businesses. When it isn’t, I have no hesitation in recommending alternative ERPs. The goal is always the same: to guide clients toward the system that best supports their growth.
Despite early challenges with compensation structures and Intuit’s evolving partner program, I stayed committed because I believed in the product and the opportunities it could create—for both my clients and my practice.
Looking Ahead
After years of working closely with the Intuit team, witnessing rapid improvements, and delivering real-world feedback, I see tremendous potential in the direction IES is headed. There are still gaps to fill and features to build—particularly around inventory—but the foundation is strong.
For clients and accountants who need multi-entity management, consolidated reporting, dimensions, and scalable cloud technology, IES is the future.
About the Author:
Jacob Weberman is the president and founder of On Track Bookkeeping & Accounting Inc., a firm based in Monroe, New York, which offers comprehensive bookkeeping services. Under his leadership, On Track specializes in the setup and maintenance of bookkeeping systems—particularly using QuickBooks—and provides services ranging from initial software configuration to payroll, accounts payable, account reconciliation, and ongoing financial reporting. What began as a solo operation has grown into a full-service team, helping businesses of diverse sizes and industries manage their books and stay on track financially. On Track offers all these valuable services with the highest level of professional expertise, allowing business owners to focus on growth and greater productivity.