QuickBooks POS Merchant Service Overview

How do I? | Merchant Service Hardware | Reports

Learn more about the QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service

Overview

Most retailers will want to sign up for an account with the QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service to accept and process credit and debit/ATM card transactions.

Key benefits of the service include:

- No duplicate data entry. All your credit and debit/ATM card sales are authorized, settled, and recorded directly in Point of Sale.

- Integrated batch settlement reporting within Point of Sale.

- Choice of modem or secure Internet connection to communicate with the service.

- Optional cash back option for PIN debit transactions

You can apply for an account with the QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service during the Setup Interview. The application takes just minutes to complete, and youll receive an approval decision and your Merchant Service number promptly. Once received, you enter your Merchant Number in company preferences to enable payments by credit and/or debit/ATM card.

A card reader is recommended, but not required to process credit card transactions (higher fees apply on non-swipe or non-inserted transactions). A PIN pad is required to process PIN debit transactions. A modem or persistent (always on) Internet connection is necessary for transmitting data to and from at least one of your Point of Sale workstations. (Hardware sold separately.)

With QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service, each time a customer presents a credit or debit/ATM card as payment, the card is swiped through or inserted in the card reader or PIN pad device. Point of Sale then submits the card information to the processor for authorization. Credit card information can also be manually entered. Within seconds, the status of the transaction is relayed back to the merchants computer.

Credit and debit card transactions are settled when a merchant runs the End of Day procedure. Settlement initiates the actual transfer of funds from the card-issuing bank to the merchants bank account.

Point of Sale records the transaction information on your computer so you can generate reports or access the details of a transaction later. You can run Merchant Service reports from the reports area of Point of Sale.

Important Notes:

- Users of the QuickBooks Desktop POS Merchant Service must take steps to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements for the secure processing, storage, and transmittal of credit and debit card transactions.

- Credit card transaction data must be sent to the processor for settlement within one day of authorizing the transaction to avoid paying higher fees.

Related Topics

Multiple-location configuration

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