{"id":36363,"date":"2026-03-09T07:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T06:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/?p=36363"},"modified":"2026-03-09T07:02:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T06:02:35","slug":"free-client-onboarding-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/free-client-onboarding-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Client Onboarding Checklist for Accountants, Bookkeepers &amp; Tax Advisers (Free Download)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"36363\" class=\"elementor elementor-36363\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true}}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6950f65 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6950f65\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f439e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f439e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Onboarding a new client involves more moving parts than most practitioners account for.<\/strong><\/p><p>There is the engagement letter, identity checks, anti-money laundering compliance, risk assessment, and, depending on the outcome, Enhanced Due Diligence before any work begins. Miss one step, and you are not just behind on admin. You have a compliance gap that regulators will find before you do.<\/p><p>This post gives you three profession-specific client onboarding checklists, each free to download and ready to use on your next client. Pick the one that fits your role, work through it from top to bottom, and every step is covered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a10d4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a10d4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is a Client Onboarding Checklist &amp; Why Do You Need One <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1921fbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1921fbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A client onboarding checklist is a structured record of every step your practice completes before a new client engagement begins. It covers <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/step-by-step-guide-to-verify-client-identity-in-aml\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">identity verification<\/a>, anti-money laundering checks, risk assessment, due diligence, and the administrative setup required to actually start the work.<\/p><p>Most practices do most of these things. The problem is doing them consistently, in the right order, and with a record that proves it happened.<\/p><p><strong>Here is why that record matters: <\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9735205 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9735205\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ed6842 elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"3ed6842\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt satisfies your legal obligations. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/uksi\/2017\/692\/contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Money Laundering Regulations 2017<\/a> require regulated firms to carry out Customer Due Diligence on every new client before establishing a business relationship. A completed client onboarding checklist is the most straightforward way to demonstrate that the obligation has been met.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2542bf0 elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"2542bf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt replaces memory with a process. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your onboarding process lives in someone&#8217;s head or across a chain of emails, it is not a process. It is a habit. Habits are inconsistent, and inconsistency is exactly what a compliance review will expose.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69e2570 elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"69e2570\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt protects you when things are disputed. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When a disagreement arises over scope, fees, or what was agreed at the outset, a completed onboarding file is the clearest record you have. It shows what was discussed, what was signed, and what checks were carried out before work began.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7d1e0d elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"a7d1e0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt makes your practice scalable. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A checklist any team member can follow means onboarding does not depend on who is available. Every client gets the same standard, regardless of who handles the file.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4b1a17 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b4b1a17\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d69adea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d69adea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Client Onboarding Checklist for Accountants (Free Download) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fad6e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fad6e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Accounting practices take on clients across a wider range of entity types than most other professional services firms. A sole trader, a limited company, an LLP, and a trust each require a different engagement letter, a different set of identity documents, and, in some cases, a different risk profile from the outset.<\/p><p>This checklist is built around that reality. It confirms entity type early, prompts professional clearance from the previous accountant before work begins, and walks through KYC, AML, risk assessment and <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/enhanced-due-diligence-edd-simplified\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enhanced Due Diligence<\/a> in the right sequence. It then moves into practice setup: accounting software access, bank feed connection, filing deadlines, and a clear split of responsibilities between the firm and the client.<\/p><p>Download the Client Onboarding Checklist for Accountants and use it on your next new client.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9e3e1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-document-viewer\" data-id=\"b9e3e1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-document-viewer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-document-viewer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffigsflow.com%2Fuk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2FClient-Onboarding-Checklist-for-Accountants.pdf&#038;embedded=true\" class=\"bdt-document\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7407c80 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7407c80\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4c9a87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4c9a87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Client Onboarding Checklist for Bookkeepers (Free Download) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc9a25c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc9a25c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bookkeeping engagements vary more than almost any other professional service. One client wants full-service monthly bookkeeping, including payroll and VAT returns. Another wants quarterly reconciliation only. The scope changes, and if the engagement letter does not reflect exactly what was agreed, the bookkeeper ends up doing work with no fee agreement behind it.<\/p><p>This checklist puts scope definition first, before anything else moves forward. It then covers <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/kyc-compliance-avoid-common-pitfalls-and-penalties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KYC<\/a> and AML checks, risk assessment, and EDD where required, followed by systems setup: software access, bank feeds, VAT scheme confirmation, payroll setup if in scope, and the receipt capture process. It closes with a workflow agreement that sets out what the client provides, when they provide it, and how communication works throughout the engagement.<\/p><p>Download the Client Onboarding Checklist for Bookkeepers and build a consistent process from day one.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e7baa9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3e7baa9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2be8f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-document-viewer\" data-id=\"e2be8f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-document-viewer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-document-viewer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffigsflow.com%2Fuk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2FClient-Onboarding-Checklist-for-Bookkeepers-3.pdf&#038;embedded=true\" class=\"bdt-document\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-852a09c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"852a09c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9f7c3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e9f7c3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Client Onboarding Checklist for Tax Advisers (Free Download) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9987942 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9987942\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tax advisers deal with a layer of onboarding that accountants and bookkeepers do not always face to the same degree. Before any advice is given or any correspondence sent, HMRC agent authorisation needs to be in place. Acting without it creates problems with HMRC and exposes the adviser to liability. Yet it is one of the most commonly delayed steps in tax onboarding.<\/p><p>This checklist addresses that directly. It confirms HMRC agent authorisation is submitted and received before any client-facing work begins. It also prompts a review of the client&#8217;s tax history, including any open enquiries, outstanding liabilities or previous penalties, before the adviser forms a view. Filing deadlines across Self Assessment, the CGT 60-day reporting window, Corporation Tax and VAT are all logged at the outset, so nothing is missed in the first weeks of the engagement.<\/p><p>Download the Client Onboarding Checklist for Tax Advisers and start every engagement on solid ground.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-748a889 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-document-viewer\" data-id=\"748a889\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-document-viewer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-document-viewer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffigsflow.com%2Fuk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F03%2FClient-Onboarding-Checklist-for-Tax-Advisers-1.pdf&#038;embedded=true\" class=\"bdt-document\"><\/iframe>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e612a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9e612a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a962030 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a962030\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Each Checklist Covers <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81ab48f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81ab48f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>All three checklists follow the same client journey that well-run practices already use. The difference is that they turn that journey into a repeatable process with a record at every stage.<\/p><p>The pathway looks like this:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c09c495 ui-e-icon-left ui-e-left elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-uicore-icon-list\" data-id=\"c09c495\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"uicore-icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t        <ul>\n                            <li >\n\n                    <div class=\"ui-e-wrap\">\n                    \n                    \n                    <div class=\"ui-e-content\">\n                        <span class=\"ui-e-title\">\n                            Step 1: Send the engagement letter.                         <\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ui-e-text\"> The client reviews it, agrees to the scope and fees, and signs. Nothing moves forward until this is in place. <\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <div class=\"ui-e-icon\">\n                            <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>                        <\/div>\n                    \n                    <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li >\n\n                    <div class=\"ui-e-wrap\">\n                    \n                    \n                    <div class=\"ui-e-content\">\n                        <span class=\"ui-e-title\">\n                            Step 2: Run KYC and AML checks.                         <\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ui-e-text\"> Identity is verified, documents are reviewed, and the client is screened against sanctions lists and PEP databases. You receive a result. <\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <div class=\"ui-e-icon\">\n                            <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>                        <\/div>\n                    \n                    <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li >\n\n                    <div class=\"ui-e-wrap\">\n                    \n                    \n                    <div class=\"ui-e-content\">\n                        <span class=\"ui-e-title\">\n                            Step 3: Assess the risk.                         <\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ui-e-text\"> Based on the KYC and AML outcome, you assess the client against your firm's risk appetite and assign a rating: low, medium or high.  <\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <div class=\"ui-e-icon\">\n                            <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>                        <\/div>\n                    \n                    <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li >\n\n                    <div class=\"ui-e-wrap\">\n                    \n                    \n                    <div class=\"ui-e-content\">\n                        <span class=\"ui-e-title\">\n                            Step 4: Apply the right level of due diligence.                         <\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ui-e-text\"> A low or medium rating means standard due diligence applies, and onboarding proceeds. A high rating triggers Enhanced Due Diligence, which must be completed and signed off by senior management before the engagement goes any further. <\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <div class=\"ui-e-icon\">\n                            <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>                        <\/div>\n                    \n                    <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                            <li >\n\n                    <div class=\"ui-e-wrap\">\n                    \n                    \n                    <div class=\"ui-e-content\">\n                        <span class=\"ui-e-title\">\n                            Step 5: Set a review date and close the file.                         <\/span>\n                        <p class=\"ui-e-text\"> Onboarding is complete, but the client's risk profile is not forgotten. A review date or trigger condition is logged so the file is revisited when circumstances change. <\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <div class=\"ui-e-icon\">\n                            <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-check\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M173.898 439.404l-166.4-166.4c-9.997-9.997-9.997-26.206 0-36.204l36.203-36.204c9.997-9.998 26.207-9.998 36.204 0L192 312.69 432.095 72.596c9.997-9.997 26.207-9.997 36.204 0l36.203 36.204c9.997 9.997 9.997 26.206 0 36.204l-294.4 294.401c-9.998 9.997-26.207 9.997-36.204-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg>                        <\/div>\n                    \n                    <\/div>\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b000c10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b000c10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>That is the path every compliant practice follows. These checklists make sure your firm follows it consistently, and that every step is on record when someone asks to see your process.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-567fd79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"567fd79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Use These Checklists in Your Practice <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d962d80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d962d80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Download the client onboarding checklist that fits your role and save it somewhere accessible before your next client comes in.<\/p><p>How you use it depends on how your practice is structured.<\/p><ul><li><strong>If one person handles client onboarding,<\/strong> assign the checklist to them at the point the engagement letter goes out. They work through it stage by stage and sign it off when every step is complete. It stays with the client&#8217;s file.<\/li><li><strong>If onboarding is split across multiple people,<\/strong> copy the checklist into your client&#8217;s working folder, whether that is a shared drive, a client Excel file, or your practice management system. Each person marks their steps as done when completed. Nobody closes the file until every stage has a tick against it.<\/li><\/ul><p>Either way, no client gets marked as fully onboarded until every stage is signed off, and that includes referred clients, low-risk clients, and clients who feel familiar from day one.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9561916 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9561916\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Helpful Client Onboarding Resources<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here&#8217;s\u00a0A Simplest\u00a0&amp; Reliable Way to\u00a0Onboard MTD\u00a0Clients:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/mtd-client-onboarding-with-figsflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Streamline Your\u00a0MTD Client\u00a0Onboarding Journey\u00a0| FigsFlow<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Streamline Your Client Onboarding in AML &amp; KYC with\u00a0FigsFlow:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/client-onboarding-in-aml-kyc-with-figsflow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">AML &amp; KYC in Client Onboarding | FigsFlow<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These 5 Client Onboarding Mistakes Are Hurting Your Business Growth:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/5-client-onboarding-mistakes-hurting-your-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">5 Client Onboarding Mistakes Costing You Clients<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to Talk About Fees Without Losing Clients:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/good-price-communication-for-accountants-how-to-talk-about-fees-without-losing-clients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nail Your Price Communication or Keep Losing Clients!<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Price Your Bookkeeping Services Without Guesswork:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/how-to-price-bookkeeping-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bookkeeping Pricing Made Easy for UK Accountants | FigsFlow<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2be548c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2be548c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8e6072 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8e6072\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Onboarding does not need to be complicated. It needs to be consistent.<\/p><p>A new client should receive the same thorough process whether they come through a referral, a cold enquiry, or a marketing campaign. The partner who has been in practice for twenty years and the team member who joined last month should follow the exact same steps, produce the same records, and close the file the same way.<\/p><p>That consistency is what protects your practice when a regulatory review comes, when a client disputes scope, or when someone new picks up a file and needs to understand what was done and why. It is also what allows a practice to grow without onboarding quality, depending on who happens to be available.<\/p><p>Download the checklist that fits your practice and use it on your next client.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-454a93d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"454a93d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2631f25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-accordion\" data-id=\"2631f25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-container\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-2631f25\" class=\"bdt-ep-accordion bdt-accordion\" data-bdt-accordion=\"{&quot;collapsible&quot;:true,&quot;multiple&quot;:false,&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;ease-in-out&quot;}\" \t\tdata-settings=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;bdt-ep-accordion-2631f25&quot;,&quot;activeHash&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;activeScrollspy&quot;:null,&quot;hashTopOffset&quot;:false,&quot;hashScrollspyTime&quot;:false,&quot;closeAllItemsOnMobile&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-what-is-client-onboarding\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"0\" data-title=\"what-is-client-onboarding\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is client onboarding?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Client onboarding is the process of bringing a new client into your practice in a structured and compliant way. It means understanding who you are doing business with, verifying their identity, assessing the risks involved, and putting the right paperwork and checks in place before any work begins.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-what-is-a-client-onboarding-checklist\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"1\" data-title=\"what-is-a-client-onboarding-checklist\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is a client onboarding checklist?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A client onboarding checklist is a structured list of steps a practice completes before formally taking on a new client. It covers everything from the engagement letter and identity verification to AML checks, risk assessment and due diligence, ensuring nothing is missed, and every step is recorded.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-is-client-onboarding-part-of-kyc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"2\" data-title=\"is-client-onboarding-part-of-kyc\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs client onboarding part of KYC?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>KYC is one stage within the broader onboarding process. It is the part where you verify who your client is through identity documents and address verification. Onboarding also includes AML checks, risk assessment, engagement letters and due diligence, all of which sit around and beyond the KYC stage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-do-bookkeepers-need-to-complete-aml-checks-when-onboarding-clients\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"3\" data-title=\"do-bookkeepers-need-to-complete-aml-checks-when-onboarding-clients\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo bookkeepers need to complete AML checks when onboarding clients?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes. Bookkeepers providing bookkeeping services as a business fall within the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. They are required to carry out Customer Due Diligence, including identity verification and AML screening, before taking on any new client, regardless of how small or straightforward the engagement appears.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-when-is-enhanced-due-diligence-required-during-client-onboarding\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"4\" data-title=\"when-is-enhanced-due-diligence-required-during-client-onboarding\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen is Enhanced Due Diligence required during client onboarding?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Enhanced Due Diligence is required when a client is assessed as high risk following the standard risk assessment. It involves additional verification steps, including source of funds and source of wealth, and must be approved by senior management before the engagement proceeds.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Onboarding a new client involves more moving parts than most practitioners account for. There is the engagement letter, identity checks, anti-money laundering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":36364,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tocer_settings":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,68,69],"tags":[11],"class_list":["post-36363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accountants","category-bookkeepers","category-tax-advisers","tag-compliance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36363"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36389,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36363\/revisions\/36389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}