Has anyone had issues with Payroll Accounting preferences not accepting the correct accounts from CoA? It accepts them but then reverts to the automatic ones.

When a page won't save your selections, it's often caused by browser cache issues. Try logging in to QuickBooks Online (QBO) using a private browser or an incognito window, then update the preferences again. Also, ensure to double-check that the accounts you're selecting have the correct Account Type for the field you are mapping them to.

For more detailed steps on mapping your payroll transactions, please refer to this article: Change your accounting preferences in payroll.

Please feel free to reach back out if you have any questions about updating your payroll accounting preferences. We're here to help.

Yes, this is a known issue that's been around for a while. QBO Payroll has a habit of overriding your selected accounts with its "automatic" defaults, especially after payroll runs or system updates. The workaround that's worked for me:

Go to Payroll Settings → Accounting preferences → select the accounts you want, then click "Save" — but before you leave the page, refresh and check if it stuck. Sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts before QBO actually keeps your selection.

If it keeps reverting, make sure you're not running any payroll automation rules that might be force-overwriting those accounts on each payroll run. Also check if the accounts you're selecting are marked as "active" and aren't sub-accounts of something else — QBO Payroll sometimes rejects sub-accounts.