How do I add an investment account?
Adding an Account in Quicken
When you add an account, Quicken includes it in the Account List (Tools menu > Account List). In most cases, you’ll want to add all your accounts to the same Quicken data file to track all your finances in one place.
Select the Add Account icon on the top right of the Account Bar.
Alternatively, go to Tools → Add Account in the top menu.
Enter the name of your brokerage and select it.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Investment Tracking: Simple Investing vs. Complete Investing
Simple Investing: Tracks Positions Only
With Simple Investing, Quicken tracks the positions (number of shares for each security) and cash balances based on information from your broker. This method shows your portfolio value, net worth, and investment returns over time. However, it does not calculate capital gains, losses, or investment income. When selected, the account displays a summary rather than an investment transaction register.
Complete Investing: Tracks Positions and Transactions
Complete Investing tracks both transaction details and positions over time using broker-provided data. This method offers portfolio value, net worth, investment returns, capital gains, losses, and income tracking. When selected, the account displays an investment transaction register.
Why Don’t I Have a Complete Investing Option?
If Complete Investing isn’t available for a specific account, Quicken defaults to Simple Investing. This ensures you can monitor securities, positions, and balances, even without transaction data. This limitation usually results from the financial institution’s data integration level. To enable detailed tracking, you can manually set up the account and enter transaction details.
Account Setup: Simple and Advanced Options
Simple Setup
Select the type of account to add.
If your bank or brokerage appears, click it. If not:
Start typing its name to see potential matches.
If the name still doesn’t appear, click Back, try again, or select Advanced Setup to enter transactions manually. Manual setup allows activation for downloads later if supported.
Advanced Setup
Choose whether to download transactions or enter them manually.
Enter a nickname (optional) for the account. This name appears in reports and the interface.
If using Quicken Business & Personal, choose the primary use: Personal, Business, or Rental Property.
Key Setup Details
Financial Institution Login: Use the same credentials as the financial institution’s website unless Direct Connect credentials are specified.
Direct Connect: Some institutions require this for features like bill pay.
Password Vault: Quicken’s secure storage for financial institution passwords, accessed with a master password.
Account Confirmation and Sync
After adding an account:
Quicken may prompt for additional steps to start using the account.
For mobile access, enable Sync to Quicken Cloud for Mobile/Alerts.
Account Types and Securities
For IRA accounts, specify the owner and type (e.g., Traditional IRA, Roth IRA).
Enter securities information:
Use ticker symbols or lookup tools.
Specify share balances and security types (e.g., Stock, Mutual Fund).
Notes for IRA Contributions
To assign contributions to prior tax years:
Enter cash transfer transactions with the correct date and tax year.
Adjust the opening balance to reflect only the current year’s contribution.
Connection Methods
Express Web Connect (Free): Automatically updates transactions for supported institutions.
Direct Connect (Fees May Apply): Requires a unique ID and password for some services.
Web Connect (Free): Download transactions from your financial institution’s website if supported.
Note for our Canadian Customers
The following terms will be different in the Canadian releases of Quicken.
Canada: "Cheque" / United States: "Check"
Canada: "Colour" / United States: "Color"
Canada: "Centre" / United States: "Center"
Canada: "Realise" / United States: "Realize"
Canada: "Behaviour" / United States: "Behavior"
Canada: "Analyse" / United States: "Analyze"