Have you just moved your accounts to a new software and suddenly things don’t add up?
You’re not alone. The journey to better, smarter accounting doesn’t end when the migration is complete—in fact, some of the most important steps come right after. Welcome to the world of post-migration troubleshooting: the process of finding, understanding, and fixing any issues that crop up after your accounting data has moved.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to spot the most common errors, discover why reconciliation issues happen, and pick up real techniques for fixing post-migration errors. Our goal? To help you feel confident, in control, and equipped to make the most of your new accounting software.
Why Does Post-Migration Troubleshooting Matter?
Think of post-migration troubleshooting as the “health check” after moving to a new home. Your belongings are in the new place, but you need to check if anything is missing, broken, or out of place. The same is true for accounting data—post-migration troubleshooting helps ensure everything is where it should be, so you start on the right foot.
Why is this so important?
- Even small data discrepancies can lead to incorrect financial reports.
- Reconciliation issues can make it hard to trust your numbers.
- Fixing post-migration errors early helps avoid bigger problems later.
Common Issues: What to Expect and Why They Happen
Here are the most frequent problems people face after migrating their accounting software—and how to spot them.
1. Data Discrepancies
What are they?
These are differences between your old and new software. Maybe your bank balance doesn’t match, or some invoices look wrong.
Why do they happen?
Different software platforms can “read” and organise data differently. Sometimes, information is missed or duplicated during migration.
Educational Tip:
Always run a trial balance report in both your old and new software for the same date. Compare the totals—if they don’t match, you know you need to investigate further.
2. Reconciliation Issues
What are they?
After migration, your bank or credit card accounts might not reconcile, even though they did before.
Why do they happen?
It could be due to duplicated transactions, missing entries, or incorrect opening balances.
Educational Tip:
Print out your last three months’ bank statements. Use them as your “master copy.” Go line by line, checking that each transaction appears in your new accounting software. This simple check is often the fastest way to spot reconciliation issues.
3. Common Errors in Contacts & Products
What are they?
Mistakes in customer and supplier details, or product codes and descriptions.
Why do they happen?
Field names don’t always match up between software, and some data may be skipped or imported incorrectly.
Educational Tip:
Select five customers and five suppliers at random. Check their names, addresses, and opening balances. If you find a pattern of mistakes, review the full contact list before you start trading on the new software.
4. VAT and Tax Setup Problems
What are they?
Incorrect tax codes, missing VAT rates, or VAT figures that don’t match your records.
Why do they happen?
VAT and tax rules are complex, and not every software handles them the same way. Some codes may not transfer correctly.
Educational Tip:
Find your most recent VAT return and compare the closing balance with what appears in your new software. If the numbers are different, investigate all VAT-related transactions around the migration date.
5. Reporting Discrepancies
What are they?
Financial reports—like your Profit & Loss statement—don’t match what you expect.
Why do they happen?
Report layouts and filters can vary, or data may be mapped incorrectly during migration.
Educational Tip:
Run your main reports (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Aged Receivables/Payables) for the same period in both old and new systems. Note any differences. Sometimes it’s as simple as a date range filter; sometimes it’s a sign you need to re-map your accounts.
Step-by-Step Guide: Educational Post-Migration Troubleshooting
Let’s break down the post-migration troubleshooting process into easy, educational steps:
1. Back Up Your Data
Why?
This is your safety net. If you make a mistake while fixing things, you can always go back.
2. Compare Trial Balances
How?
- Export the trial balance from both old and new software for the day of migration.
- Compare each account. Highlight any differences.
3. Reconcile Bank and Credit Card Accounts
How?
- Use your actual bank statements.
- Match every transaction in the software to your statement.
- Note any duplicates, missing entries, or opening balance errors.
4. Check Customer and Supplier Balances
How?
- Look at the Aged Receivables and Payables reports.
- Make sure every outstanding invoice or bill matches your records.
5. Review Tax and VAT Settings
How?
- Check that all tax rates, codes, and VAT returns have been transferred correctly.
- Run a VAT summary to spot any odd numbers.
6. Test Reports
How?
- Run key reports for the period before migration and after.
- Compare them. Note any gaps or oddities.
7. Log Every Error and Solution
Why?
Keeping a simple log helps you track progress, avoid confusion, and provides a record for your accountant.
8. Seek Support When Needed
Why?
If you’re stuck, don’t guess. Contact your migration partner or the accounting software support team. They can save you hours of frustration.
Practical Examples: Troubleshooting in Action
Example 1:
You find your bank balance is £200 higher in the new software. By checking transactions, you spot a duplicated payment entry. Delete the duplicate, and your reconciliation matches.
Example 2:
VAT return figures in the new system are lower than expected. You review your VAT codes and find some sales have been imported without a VAT rate. Update the VAT codes, rerun the report, and the numbers now match.
Best Practices: Making Troubleshooting Easier
- Document every step. Write down what you check and what you fix.
- Don’t rush. Take it one account or area at a time.
- Stay organised. Use a checklist so you don’t miss anything.
- Involve your accountant. They can help with technical issues and make sure you stay compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does post-migration troubleshooting take?
A: It varies, but most issues can be found and fixed within a week if you follow a methodical process.
Q: Should I fix errors myself or get help?
A: You can handle simple fixes, but always ask for expert support with anything complex.
Q: What if I keep finding errors weeks after migration?
A: Keep a log, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with your software provider or migration specialist.
Final Thoughts: Learning and Growing After Migration
Post-migration troubleshooting isn’t just a box to tick—it’s your chance to learn about your new software, build confidence, and make sure your financial data is rock solid. By taking a careful, step-by-step approach, you’ll quickly spot and fix any common errors or data discrepancies, and set yourself up for success.
Remember, support is always available. At Switch My Books, we’re committed to helping you every step of the way—whether you need advice, extra training, or hands-on help with troubleshooting accounting software migration.
Ready to master your new software?
Contact Switch My Books for expert help with post-migration troubleshooting and all your cloud accounting needs.
