Frequently Asked Questions

I am having trouble installing ICAT on Windows Vista. It is having trouble connecting to QuickBooks. Is there anything different?

Yes, due to increased security in Microsoft Vista two additional steps must be taken. First, after installing ICAT you must be logged in to QuickBooks as an administrator to grant access to QuickBooks. Second, on Windows Vista UAC (USer Account Control) must be enabled for ICAT to communicate with QuickBooks.

With what versions of QuickBooks will ICAT 2.1 work?

ICAT 2.1 was designed to work with the Quickbooks 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 versions of QuickBooks Pro Edition, QuickBooks Premier Edition, QuickBooks Premier: Accountant Edition, QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions and QuickBooks Contractor Edition.

What operating system can I use?

ICAT was designed to work with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and 7.

I am receiving errors when trying to connect to QuickBooks with ICAT 2.1 on Microsoft Vista or 7. What is causing this?

UAC or User Account Control must be enabled in order for ICAT to connect to QuickBooks.

What is the .NET framework and what version do I need?

The .NET framework is a Microsoft Windows operating system software component used to develop applications. Users will need at least the 2.0 version of the .NET framework.

Does ICAT store accounting data outside of QuickBooks?

ICAT does not store accounting data outside of QuickBooks, but it does save ICAT related data in an XML file in the same directory as the QuickBooks file.

How do I know what Indirect Rate Model to use?

The ICAT Help file provides numerous examples of Indirect Rate Models from which you can choose. For more complicated Indirect Rate Models, you should consider attending FCSN training or contact one of the affiliated accounting service providers.

What is a Cost Pool ?

Cost Pools are groupings of costs in the accounting system which can be: 1) charged directly to contracts (direct costs), 2) allocated amongst contracts using an allocation base (indirect costs), or 3) excluded from being charged to contracts entirely (unallowable costs). ICAT will recognize all "Cost of Goods Sold" and "Expense" type accounts situated at the top level of the Chart-of-Accounts hierarchy to be Cost Pool headings. All transaction accounts which are sub-accounts of such top-level cost pool headers make up the content of the cost pools.

What is a an Allocation Center?

Allocation Centers are similar to cost pools, but serve a slightly different purpose. Allocation centers are used to accumulate costs which are common to more than one cost pool, and are allocated among cost pools using some user defined allocation base, which may be a base other than cost. The most common example of an Allocation Center would be Facility Costs, which can be allocated to the Overhead and G&A cost pools using a base of square footage, head count, FTE's or some other user-defined allocation base. This enables the contractor to simplify the charging of costs which are common to various cost pools so that the user can simply charge such costs to the allocation center rather than having to split each charge upon recording the transaction.

Does FCSN store credit card data?

No, for security reasons, FCSN does NOT store your credit card information.

On how many computers can I use ICAT?

An ICAT license may be used with a single business entity (a QuickBooks company file). You may install ICAT on up to five computers to work with your single company file. If you need to use ICAT with more than one company, or on more than five computers, please purchase additional licenses.

How long does my license last?

An ICAT license is a license for one year. After that time, additional subscription rates provide you with new product updates and support.

What is the difference between ICAT 1.0 and ICAT 2.1?

The new ICAT 2.1 provides a new, easier to use interface, enhanced reporting, allocation centers, and many new reports.

I am a current ICAT 1.0 user, how do I get a key for ICAT 2.1?

Current users of ICAT 1.0 may upgrade for no charge to ICAT 2.1 Starter Edition until August 1, 2008. After 12 months from that time an annual renewal subscription applies.

How do I upgrade during the discount period?

Go to the Purchase ICAT page and enter your ICAT 1.0 activation key and you will receive an ICAT 2.1 activation key.

What is the difference between ICAT 2.1 Starter Edition and ICAT 2.1 Standard Edition?

ICAT 2.1 Standard Edition provides more reporting options than the Starter Edition.

What if I can't remember my ICAT 1.0 activation key?

Log into your account on the FCSN Website and click on the "My Account" link in the upper right of the screen. All of your current activation keys will be shown wihtin your user profile.

I am currently using ICAT 1.0, when I upgrade to ICAT 2.1 will all of my rate models work?

Yes, Your rate models will work, but there will be additional items to update to se all of the features of ICAT 2.1

How do I start ICAT 2.1?

ICAT 2.1 starts from a shortcut on the Start menu which is different from ICAT 1.0 which started from within QuickBooks.

I start ICAT 2.1 and I get a messagesaying "Connecting to QuickBooks" "Please make sure QuickBooks is running and ICAT has been granted access to your company file". What does that mean?

You must first open QuickBooks and then open ICAT 2.1 and grant it access to your QuickBooks file.

I want to continue to use just ICAT 1.0, is that OK?

Yes, but please remember there is a limited time to upgrade to ICAT 2.1 at a discount and support for ICAT 1.0 will end in December 2008.