This is an internal working tool built by Rise Local for Seaside Business Solutions' team — not a page on the public website. Print it or use it on-screen during new-client calls.
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Internal — For Seaside's Use

New Client Onboarding Checklist

Work through this on the first call or meeting with a new client. It's the same information Rachel and Melissa need before opening a file — asked once, in order, so nothing gets missed and nothing has to be chased down later.

Enter the client/business name before saving.
1

Account Setup

How their books are currently kept, and how Seaside will get access to the numbers.

Do they already have a QuickBooks account?
If yes — get the version/plan and either an accountant-user invite or login access. If no — flag for QuickBooks setup as part of onboarding.
How will Seaside receive their numbers? (Bank access method)
How many accounts need reconciling?
Count each type — this sets the scope of the monthly work.
2

Financial Scope

The size and shape of the business, so the engagement is scoped and priced correctly.

Company size / approximate annual revenue
Years in business
3

Compliance

Entity structure and obligations that shape which services they'll actually need.

Entity type
Other:
Do they have employees?
If yes, get the headcount — this decides whether payroll setup and sales-tax collection need to be scoped in.
Preferred language for correspondence
4

History

Where their books stand today — this decides whether they start in catch-up or monthly bookkeeping.

Were prior-year taxes filed? Who prepared them?
If self-prepared or done by another firm, note it — this affects how much cleanup is needed before this year's filing.
How far behind (if at all) are the books right now?
A few months, a few years, or fully current — this is the single biggest driver of scope.
5

Recommended Package & Price

Based on what you entered above — a starting recommendation and price range, so you never quote from scratch (or under-charge). You always set the final number.

Open the full pricing tool
Recommended starting package
—

Just a starting point for the conversation — you set the final number based on the real scope (accounts, transaction volume, how messy the books are). Open the full pricing tool →

Staff note: once this is filled out, open the client's QuickBooks file (or start setup), save this sheet to their folder, and schedule the first reconciliation.

→ Open the dashboard

Demo only — in the live version, saving here creates the client record and kicks off the QuickBooks connect automatically.