Restaurant Accounting for QuickBooks - Tips and Techniques for Using the Uniform System of Accounts with QuickBooks

Sep 22, 2026

Restaurant Accounting for QuickBooks webinar guidance on applying the Uniform System of Accounts (USAR) within QuickBooks to standardize reporting for independent restaurants. The material explains QuickBooks usage and limitations, then details USAR benefits such as linking sales to cost of sales and period-based activity tracking. It outlines setup steps including importing the USAR chart of accounts, using memorized reports for 13 4-week accounting periods, generating USAR-formatted P&L statements, and recommended sales recording methods for restaurant-specific transactions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages50

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Q&A

Quick Books Overview

Drawbacks

Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants

What We’ll Cover Today

Setting Up QuickBooks for the USAR

Importing USAR Chart of Accounts

Preparation

Restaurant Accounting for QuickBooks Tips and Techniques for Using the Uniform System of Accounts with QuickBooks Welcome! Today’s webinar will be starting shortly. Please print handout notes – [https://www.restaurantowner.com/snip/320.htm](https://www.restaurantowner.com/snip/320.htm) Jim Laube Your Hosts Joe Erickson Q&A • Questions will be at end of program • This webinar is being recorded • Full size slides available in PDF • Links to new downloads and instructions will be included on the recorded webinar page Quick Books • Used by more than 70% of independent restaurants • Desktop, Mac and Online versions • Popular with CPAs and bookkeepers • Easy to use • Familiar to workforce Quick Books Drawbacks: • Not designed specifically for restaurants • Based upon 12-month calendar • Inventory doesn’t work for restaurants • Lacks industry standard P&L reporting • Inadequate cost of sales reporting Uniform System of Accounts for Restaurants • Industry Standardization • Links Sales to Corresponding Cost of Sales • Reflects Activities in the Period they occur • Works with 12-month calendar, 13 4-week or 4/4/5 Accounting period • Complements weekly tracking • Performance Oriented P&L Format What We’ll Cover Today 􀀹 Setting Up QuickBooks for the Uniform System of Accounts • How to import the USAR Chart of Accounts • Using memorized reports for 13 4-week accounting periods 􀀹 How to create USAR-formatted P&L reports 􀀹 Recommended sales recording methods • USAR sales categories • Correctly accounting for gift card sales and redemptions, sales tax, charge tips and other non-sale income 􀀹 Restaurant-specific journal entries 􀀹 Your questions Setting Up QuickBooks for the USAR Setting Up QuickBooks for the USAR Importing USAR Chart of Accounts • Procedure for QuickBooks Desktop is different than for QuickBooks Online • New QuickBooks company file vs . one with existing transactions • Make a backup of your current QuickBooks company file • Get aid from a competent QuickBooks user recommended Importing USAR Chart of Accounts Preparation: 1. Download appropriate Excel file from [RestaurantOwner.com](RestaurantOwner.com) and save to known location 2. Print current Chart of Accounts list from QuickBooks 3. Compare lists; remove duplicate or unneeded accounts from the Excel file 4. Set Company Preferences to use account numbers 5. Make a backup of your current QuickBooks company file

FAQs

Why use the Uniform System of Accounts (USAR) with QuickBooks for restaurants?

USAR standardizes industry reporting by linking sales to corresponding cost of sales, reflecting activities in the period they occur, and supporting period-based accounting calendars. It also complements weekly tracking with a performance-oriented P&L format.

What are key drawbacks of QuickBooks for restaurant accounting?

QuickBooks is not designed specifically for restaurants, relies on a 12-month calendar, and has inventory limitations for restaurant operations. It also lacks industry-standard P&L reporting and provides inadequate cost of sales reporting.

What steps are involved in setting up QuickBooks for the USAR?

The process includes downloading the appropriate USAR Excel file, printing and comparing your current QuickBooks chart of accounts, removing duplicate or unneeded accounts, enabling company preferences to use account numbers, and making a backup of the current QuickBooks company file. Import procedures differ between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online.

Sep 22, 2026

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