Your family has owned and operated a landscaping business for many years. They were recently approached by a family friend who wants to invest in the company and help it grow to additional locations. The family friend has concerns that the company's accounting system is outdated and should be more computerized. You have offered to help with this transition and research into what type of computerized accounting system or workflow might make sense for the company to switch to. They are currently looking to use QuickBooks Online but know that there are also other alternatives.

Based on this information, you have decided to break this project up into 4 stages and in an effort to keep everyone on the same page, you will circulate various memos and present your final findings to your family's friend and the company in a few weeks.

1. Stage 1 - you will write a memo to the company reviewing their first choice of accounting software, QuickBooks Online. They think it will help them get started but want to understand more of what it offers. In your memo, review the pros and cons of using QuickBooks Online. Remain focused on QuickBooks Online's features, advantages and disadvantages but do not explore other alternative options yet as that has been designated at Stage 2.