Start every client relationship on the right foot. This simple checklist will help you confidently onboard new clients — making the process easier for your team and smoother for your clients.
Why Onboarding Matters More Than You Think A clear, structured onboarding process builds trust from day one. When your client knows what to expect — and your team knows what to do — it sets the tone for a long, professional, and productive relationship.
Tidyflow’s checklist approach gives you:
- Consistency across all new clients
- Less back-and-forth chasing documents
- Clear roles and responsibilities
- Faster turnaround time
- A better client experience
What’s Included in the Client Onboarding Checklist This checklist covers every major step in the onboarding process — from first contact to getting everything up and running. It’s fully customizable to fit your unique workflow, service offering, or client type.
📋 The Checklist: Step-by-Step
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Welcome & Introduction ☐ Send a warm, personalised welcome email ☐ Share what they can expect next (with a clear timeline) ☐ Provide contact details for their main point of contact ☐ Send and collect the signed engagement letter
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Collect Key Info & Documents ☐ Request business details (names, entity type, etc.) ☐ Ask for access to previous records (Xero, QuickBooks, etc.) ☐ Set up secure file sharing and upload links ☐ Confirm what services you’ll be handling
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Set Things Up Internally ☐ Create their profile or workspace in Tidyflow ☐ Assign internal team members to the client ☐ Add the client to your shared calendar or task board ☐ Set up automations or recurring reminders (if needed)
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Tools & Access ☐ Invite them to your client portal (if applicable) ☐ Provide any login credentials or tool links ☐ Walk them through how to upload files or complete tasks ☐ Answer any tech or setup-related questions
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Schedule a Kickoff ☐ Book a 15–30 min call to walk through the process ☐ Go over expectations, communication frequency, and deliverables ☐ Let them know how to reach you if they need support ☐ Share what’s coming next (first milestone or deadline)
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Final Touches & Follow-Up ☐ Double-check that everything has been submitted ☐ Send a “you’re all set” email confirming onboarding is complete ☐ Move them into their ongoing workflow ☐ Gather internal notes or lessons learned from the process
Make It Your Own in Tidyflow This checklist is flexible. Use it as-is, or tweak it to fit:
- New vs returning clients
- Different services (bookkeeping, tax, advisory)
- Monthly vs once-off engagements
- Solo practitioners or large firm workflows
With Tidyflow, you can easily turn your checklist into a repeatable workflow — assign tasks, set deadlines, automate reminders, and collaborate with your team or clients all in one place.