This guide will walk you through accessing the audit log, locating deleted transactions, and using that information to troubleshoot payment discrepancies.
Why the Audit Log Matters
The QuickBooks Online Audit Log tracks every action taken in your QuickBooks Online company file, including transactions that have been deleted or voided. When a payment is deleted in QuickBooks Online but remains visible in LeanLaw, it typically means:
Someone manually recorded the payment in QuickBooks Online and then deleted it
The deletion happened after the payment was synced to LeanLaw
LeanLaw is showing the orphaned record while QuickBooks Online no longer reflects it
By reviewing the audit log, you can identify who deleted the transaction, when it was deleted, and what the original transaction details were—information essential for resolving client disputes and maintaining accurate records.
Step 1: Access the Audit Log
Log in to QuickBooks Online
Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner
Under "Tools," select Audit Log
You'll see a list of recent transactions with columns showing: Date Changed, User, Event
Step 2: Filter for Deleted Transactions
In the Audit Log page, look for the Event column
Click the dropdown filter next to "Action"
Select "Deleted/Voided Transactions" to narrow results
Click Apply to see only deleted/voided payments
Tip: Use the date range filters to narrow your search to when you suspect the payment was deleted.
Step 3: Interpret What You Find
Once you've located the deleted payment, the audit log shows:
Column | What It Tells You |
Date Changed | When the payment was deleted |
User | Who deleted it (user name or "Automatic" if system-generated) |
Action | Whether it was deleted or voided |
Entity | The type of record (should show "Payment") |
Details (click to view) | Original payment amount, customer, date, and method |
Example scenario: If a payment shows as deleted by "Sarah Mitchell" on October 28 at 3:15 PM, you now have specific information to discuss with Sarah or your accounting team about why it was removed.
Step 4: Compare with other records
Once you've confirmed the deletion in QuickBooks Online, you need to verify the payment status in two separate locations:
Check LeanLaw Records
Log into LeanLaw
Navigate to Billing → Invoices (or access the invoice directly)
Locate the invoice showing the payment discrepancy
Note the payment details, amount, and date recorded in LeanLaw
If the amounts and dates match the deleted QuickBooks Online transaction, this confirms the payment was deleted in QuickBooks Online but remains in LeanLaw
Check Confido Legal's Audit Log
Confido Legal maintains its own internal audit log. This shows who created, modified, or deleted payments within the Confido system:
Log into Confido Legal
Navigate to the Audit Log (typically found in Settings or Admin section)
Filter for the relevant date range when the payment was recorded
Look for entries showing the payment creation/modification
Step 5: Take Action
If a payment was accidentally deleted in QuickBooks Online:
Option A: Re-enter the payment in QuickBooks Online if it was legitimate
Option B: If the payment should not have been recorded at all (manual entry error), contact Confido Legal support to have them delete the orphaned record from their backend. This will sync the deletion back to LeanLaw.
Option C: Contact LeanLaw support if you need help identifying which scenario applies to your situation
Common Scenarios & What to Look For
Scenario 1: Client Says Payment Wasn't Made
Check the audit log for who deleted it
Review the original QuickBooks Online transaction details
Confirm with your team whether this was intentional
Scenario 2: Manual Payment Entry Error
The audit log will show the payment was created and then deleted by a user
If the deletion was accidental, you can re-enter it
If it was intentional, follow up with the person who deleted it to confirm why
Scenario 3: System-Generated Deletions
If the audit log shows "Automatic" or a system process deleted the payment, this may indicate a sync issue between LeanLaw, Confido Legal, and QuickBooks Online
Contact LeanLaw support with the payment details and date for investigation
When to Contact Support
Reach out to support@myleanlaw.com or use the Live Chat button in LeanLaw if:
The audit log doesn't show the payment at all (suggesting it may have been deleted outside QuickBooks Online)
You're unsure whether to re-enter the payment or request deletion from Confido Legal
The QuickBooks Online deletion doesn't match the date the payment appears orphaned in LeanLaw
You need help reconciling multiple deleted payments across systems