How to Access QuickBooks Desktop Remotely Using Splashtop

During tax season, every minute counts. For accountants, the traditional way of working, which often involves driving to the office just to open a file, is a relic of the past. Today, remote access is a necessity rather than a luxury. 

Many firms start by using Splashtop, a remote access and support tool that allows you to “beam into” your office PC.

While it’s a quick way to see your screen from home, it’s essentially a digital mirror. You are still tied to your office hardware, its power supply, and its internet speed. 

A Quick Step-by-Step: Using Splashtop for QuickBooks 

If you are currently using Splashtop to access QuickBooks, here is the standard setup: 

1. Install the Streamer: You must install the Splashtop Streamer on the specific office computer where QuickBooks is installed or hosted. 
2. Keep the Host PC On: That computer must remain powered on and connected to the internet 24/7. 
3. Install the App: Download the Splashtop Business app on your remote device (laptop, tablet, or phone). 
4. Connect: Select your office PC from the list to view and control the screen. 

While this works for a solo user in a pinch, it often fails to meet the needs of a growing accounting firm. 

Why Splashtop Might Be Holding Your Accounting Firm Back  

Splashtop is a remote control tool, not a hosting solution. Because of this, it comes with several “deal-breakers” for professional accounting: 

1. Single-Session Rule

On Windows 10/11 Pro, only one active user session is allowed at a time. Even if multiple users share access, they’ll be viewing and controlling the same screen—not separate sessions. For simultaneous multi-user collaboration, you’ll need Windows Server with Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or a cloud-hosted QuickBooks solution that supports multiple virtual desktops. 

2. Host Dependency

Splashtop depends on your physical office computer being powered on, connected to the Internet, and not in sleep mode. If that device shuts down or disconnects, all remote users lose access immediately. This can cause data loss, downtime during power outages, maintenance, or unexpected restarts. 

3. Internet Performance

Because Splashtop streams the desktop in real-time, both devices require stable, high-speed Internet. A slow or unstable connection can cause lag, screen delay, and disconnections, especially when handling large QuickBooks company files or running multiple apps. 

4. Limited Backup and Recovery Options

Splashtop doesn’t include built-in data backups. If your local system crashes or files are corrupted, restoring QuickBooks data depends entirely on your local or third-party backup system. There’s no automated cloud backup protection. 

5. Hardware Dependency

The quality of your remote experience depends on the hardware performance of your host PC. If your office computer is slow, underpowered, or running out of storage, it directly impacts how smoothly QuickBooks performs remotely. 

6. No Centralized Admin Control

Unlike a hosted or VDI environment, Splashtop doesn’t offer centralized user management or enterprise-level monitoring. IT admins can’t easily control permissions, enforce access policies, or track detailed activity across multiple users. 

7. Manual Maintenance

Users are responsible for keeping both QuickBooks and Splashtop software updated on the host computer. Skipping updates can lead to compatibility issues or security vulnerabilities. Hosted environments handle updates automatically, saving time and reducing risk. 

8. Security Relies on Local Setup

While Splashtop provides encryption and MFA, overall security still depends on the host computer’s local security posture, including antivirus, firewall, and Windows updates. If the host is compromised, your QuickBooks data could be at risk. 

9. No Built-in Business Continuity

If your office system fails or your Internet goes down, there’s no alternate environment to continue working. Hosted QuickBooks, however, provides redundant servers and 99.99% uptime, ensuring you never lose access to your data. 

The Superior Alternative: Ace Cloud Hosting for QuickBooks Remote Access 

Why limit yourself to simply viewing your office computer remotely when you can run your entire accounting environment in the cloud? Ace Cloud Hosting delivers a secure, high-performance virtual workspace for QuickBooks hosting, built specifically for accountants and CPA firms. 

As an Intuit Authorized Hosting Provider, Ace Cloud Hosting transforms QuickBooks into a true cloud solution, giving you reliable access, stronger security, and the flexibility to work from anywhere without IT hassles. 

1. Work Without Lag (High-Performance Computing) 

Unlike Splashtop, which is limited by the speed of your office PC, Ace Cloud Hosting uses Enterprise-grade SSD storage and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Even with large company files and multiple add-ons, your experience remains fast and seamless. 

2. True Multi-User Collaboration 

In a Splashtop environment, only one person can control the screen at a time. With Ace Cloud Hosting, your entire team can log into the same QuickBooks file simultaneously in a secure multi-user mode. No more fighting over the cursor. 

3. “Always-On” Reliability (99.99% Uptime) 

You no longer have to worry if your office computer is “awake.” The QuickBooks server is hosted in Tier 4 and Tier 5 data centers, guaranteed by a 99.99% uptime SLA. Your data is available 24/7/365, regardless of what happens at your physical office. 

4. Ironclad, Bank-Level Security 

• 45-Day Rolling Backups: Automated, immutable backups to protect against accidental deletion. 
• Zero Trust Architecture: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and end-to-end encryption. 
• Active Monitoring: 24/7 threat detection and next-gen antivirus to stop ransomware before it starts. 

5. 24/7/365 Real Human Support 

IT issues shouldn’t stop your billable hours. While remote-access tools are often “self-service,” Ace Cloud Hosting provides unlimited, round-the-clock support. Whether it’s 2 AM on a Tuesday or the peak of tax season, a real human expert is always available to help. 

Move Your QuickBooks and Accounting Practice to the Cloud with Confidence 

Stop settling for a “view” of your office and start working in a dedicated cloud workspace designed for the accounting industry. Ace Cloud Hosting gives you the power of QuickBooks Desktop with the flexibility of the cloud. 

Ready to experience the difference? Start a free 7-day trial today!