Where to find your account number in QuickBooks Online

Your bank account number in QuickBooks Online lives in two places depending on what you need it for. If you're looking at the account itself within QuickBooks, go to the Chart of Accounts, find the bank account you want, and click on it. The account number QuickBooks assigned to that account appears in the account details — but this is an internal QuickBooks number, not your actual bank account number.

Your real bank account number — the one your bank gave you — is not stored in QuickBooks by default. You entered it when you first connected your bank to QuickBooks during setup, but QuickBooks doesn't display it back to you for security reasons. If you need your actual bank account number for a wire transfer, a form, or to give to someone else, you'll need to get it from your bank, not from QuickBooks.

Key Takeaways

  • QuickBooks assigns its own account number to each bank account in your Chart of Accounts, which is different from your actual bank account number.
  • Your real bank account number is not visible in QuickBooks after you set it up, even though you entered it during the connection process.
  • To find your actual bank account number, log into your bank's website or app, call your bank, or check a recent statement or check.
  • The QuickBooks account number is useful only within QuickBooks reports and records, not for banking transactions outside the software.

The difference between QuickBooks account numbers and bank account numbers

This confusion trips up most people new to QuickBooks. When you set up a bank connection in QuickBooks, you give QuickBooks permission to see your real bank account. But QuickBooks then creates its own internal account number for record-keeping within the software. That QuickBooks number is what shows up in your Chart of Accounts.

Your actual bank account number — the 8 to 12 digit number your bank gave you — stays with your bank. QuickBooks stores it encrypted in the background so it can pull transactions, but it doesn't show it to you again. This is intentional: if someone gains access to your QuickBooks account, they see the QuickBooks number, not your real banking details.

How to see your QuickBooks account number

Open QuickBooks Online and click the Accounting menu on the left side. Select Chart of Accounts. Find the bank account you're looking for in the list — it will have a type of "Bank" next to it. Click the account name to open its details.

In the account details window, look at the top. You'll see the account name, and below it a field labeled Account number. This is the number QuickBooks assigned to this account. Write it down if you need it for internal records or reports, but remember: this is not the number you use for banking outside QuickBooks.

Finding your actual bank account number when you need it

If you need your real bank account number for a wire transfer, a direct deposit form, or any transaction outside QuickBooks, you have three quick options. Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information — most banks display your account number prominently on the account summary page. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read it to you. A third option is to look at a recent check from that account; your account number is printed at the bottom left, after the routing number.

Your bank will never ask you to find this number in QuickBooks. If someone tells you to look in QuickBooks for your account number to complete a banking task, that's a sign to verify the request directly with your bank first.

Why QuickBooks doesn't show your real account number

QuickBooks hides your actual bank account number for the same reason your bank doesn't print it on receipts: the fewer places it exists, the safer it is. When you first connect your bank account to QuickBooks, you authenticate through your bank's find login. QuickBooks receives permission to access your account and stores the number encrypted, but it doesn't display it in the user interface.

If your QuickBooks login is compromised, a person with access to your account would see transaction history and the QuickBooks-assigned account number, but not your real banking details. This limits the damage they can do. Your bank account number stays between you and your bank.

What to do if you can't remember which account is which

If you have multiple bank accounts in QuickBooks and you're not sure which QuickBooks account corresponds to which real bank account, the safest way to check is to look at a recent transaction. Open the account in QuickBooks, find a transaction you recognize (a deposit or payment you made), and verify the amount and date against your bank statement. Once you've confirmed the right account, you can then get the real account number from your bank.

You can also rename the QuickBooks account to make it clearer. In the Chart of Accounts, click the account, then click Edit. Change the account name to something like "Checking - Wells Fargo" or "Business Savings - Chase" so you can tell them apart at a glance. The QuickBooks account number stays the same; only the name changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the account number QuickBooks assigned to my bank account?

Yes. Open the Chart of Accounts, click the account, select Edit, and change the number in the Account number field. This won't affect your actual bank account or any transactions — it only changes how QuickBooks labels the account internally. Many people change it to match their bank's account number for clarity, though QuickBooks doesn't require this.

Is the account number in QuickBooks the same as my routing number?

No. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. QuickBooks shows neither of these — it shows only the internal account number it created. You need both your routing number and your real account number for wire transfers and direct deposits, and you get both from your bank, not from QuickBooks.

What if I need to reconnect my bank account to QuickBooks?

You'll need your real bank account number and routing number from your bank. QuickBooks won't retrieve them from the old connection — you'll enter them fresh during the reconnection process. Have your bank statement or checkbook handy so you can copy the numbers accurately.

Can someone use the account number shown in QuickBooks to access my bank account?

No. The number shown in QuickBooks is QuickBooks' internal label, not your real account number. Even if someone sees it, they cannot use it to access your bank account or move money. Your real account number is encrypted and not visible in the QuickBooks interface.