Error message when you try to start Accounting 2007: "Upgrading to a later version is not allowed while accountant transfer exists"

When you try to start Microsoft Office Accounting 2007, you receive the following error message: This problem occurs after you apply the latest service pack to Accounting 2007.

This problem occurs because an Accounting 2007 company cannot be upgraded if the company database is in an "accountant transfer" status.

Note When you apply the service pack, Accounting 2007 is updated. However, a company database cannot be updated when an unresolved accountant transfer exists.

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

1. Start Accounting 2007.
2. Click Restore a backup.
3. In the Backup filename field, click Browse, and then locate the data file that you want to restore.
4. Click the data file, and then click Open.
5. In the Restore backup file to field, click Browse, and then locate the company launch file in which you want to restore the backup file.
   
   Note The company launch file is displayed as an .sbc file.
6. Click the company launch file, and then click Open.
7. If you entered a password when you created the backup file, type this password in the Password box. If you did not enter a password when you created the backup file, leave the box blank.
8. Click OK.
9. Click OK when you receive the following message:
   The restore process has completed successfully.
10. Click Open an existing company, click the company launch file, and then click Open.
11. To complete the update to the new service pack, follow the steps in the update wizard.

Method 2

Detach the company database

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Office, point to Microsoft Office Accounting Tools, and then click Data Tools.
2. On the Advanced Tools tab, click Detach.
3. In the Detach a Database dialog box, click the company database that you want to detach, and then click Detach.
4. Click Yes.
5. Click OK when you receive the following message:
   The data file has been detached.
6. Repeat step 3 through step 5 for each company.
7. Click Close two times.

Remove and then reinstall Accounting 2007

1. Exit all programs.
2. Click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then click OK.
3. In the Add or Remove Programs dialog box, click Microsoft Office Accounting 2007, and then click Change/Remove.
4. Click Remove, and then click Next.
   
   Note By default, the Microsoft Office Accounting 2007 check box and the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express (MSSMLBIZ) check box are selected.
5. Click Next, and then click Remove.
6. When the removal process is complete, reinstall Accounting 2007.

Reattach the company database

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Office, point to Microsoft Office Accounting Tools, and then click Data Tools.
2. On the Advanced Tools tab, click Attach.
3. In the Attach a Database dialog box, click Browse, and then locate the Microsoft SQL Server data folder. By default, the folder is in the following location:
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQLServer\MSSQL$MICROSOFTSMLBIZ\Data
4. Open the folder, click the company database file that you want to attach, and then click Open.
   
   Note The company database file is displayed as an .sbd file.
5. In the Attach a Database dialog box, enter a name in the Database name box.
6. Clear the Create new company file (.sbc) that links to this database check box.
7. Click Attach.
8. Click OK when you receive the following message:
   The data file has been attached.
9. Repeat step 2 through step 8 for each company that you want to attach.
10. Click Close.
11. Start Accounting 2007, click Open an existing company, and then click the company launch file.
12. Complete or cancel the accountant transfer. Then, apply the latest service pack.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.