Quickbooks cannot create an Accountants Copy - Generic failed message

 If you get a generic failed message when attempting to create an accountant's copy in QuickBooks, it's probably related to the permissions on the folder where the company file is stored.

1st thing to try

Navigate to the folder storing the QuickBooks file (with a user account with admin permissions)
Right-click, select sharing and security

Select permissions

 Select Add...

Either type the account to add if you know it (i.e. QBDataService20) or browse to find the current QBDataService user. I believe it changes with every version update.

If you are browsing, type QB in name: starts with, click Find Now

Click the QBDataServiceUser you want to add

Give the account Change and Read permissions. I went with Full Control but change permissions may be enough.

Try to create the accountant's copy.

2nd thing to try
Make sure you do not have strange characters in your file path. Avoid characters other than letters in your company name. On a separate note, the strange characters in the file can create a bunch of other generic errors and event viewer hits.