I’m trying to link a bank account in QuickBooks Online, but the OTP is being sent to the client’s registered mobile number. I would like to send the client a secure link

QuickBooks Online does not offer a secure link that you can send to your client to complete the bank connection process. Instead, have them log in to their own QuickBooks account to connect their bank directly.

For security reasons, only the account holder can connect their bank account, as this process requires authentication steps such as entering a One-Time Password (OTP) sent directly to their registered mobile number. To protect their data, never ask them to share their bank username and password with you.

They can follow these steps to link their bank:

1. Go to the App menu, click Accounting, then Bank transactions.
2. Click Connect account. If an account is already connected, select Link account on the Bank transactions tab.
3. Search for and select their bank. If the bank isn’t listed, they can select Request a provider to add it.
4. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

For more comprehensive instructions, refer to this article: Connect bank and credit card accounts to QuickBooks Online.

I'll leave this thread open if you have more questions or concerns.

This is expected behavior when a bank requires multi-factor authentication -- the OTP goes to the phone number or email registered with the bank itself, not to QuickBooks. QuickBooks does not have a feature to intercept or redirect that code.

The cleanest approach is to use the **Request bank connection** link feature. Go to the Banking tab, click **Link account**, search for the bank, and if the bank appears in the results look for the option that says **"Send a link to your client"** (sometimes shown as "Request bank connection"). This generates a secure Intuit-hosted link you can email or text to the client. When they open it, they complete the bank sign-in and OTP step on their own device, and the connection is passed back to your QuickBooks Online company file automatically.

If that option does not appear for your specific bank, the practical workaround is to start the connection on your end, call or message the client in real time, have them read you the OTP as it arrives, and enter it immediately. Some banks also let the client choose to receive the OTP via email instead of SMS -- have them check that preference in their online banking settings beforehand.

Another option: the client can log into their own QuickBooks Online (if they have access) or you can guide them through linking the account from their side, after which it will show up in the connected accounts list for you to work with.

The secure-link feature is the best long-term solution for accountants who handle this regularly, since it avoids the back-and-forth entirely.