Checklists
What to send us so we can get started quickly.
Everything you need to get started—without the stress
Not sure what documents to send us? These onboarding checklists show what we usually need for payroll, monthly bookkeeping and US tax filing. Do not worry if you are missing an item—we help you locate or set up the rest.
Onboarding checklists by service
Review the documents for the service you need—or combine all three for complete back-office support.
1. Payroll setup checklist
For weekly, bi-weekly or semi-monthly employee payroll in QuickBooks or ADP:
- Business legal name, address and federal EIN
- Employee list with completed W-4 forms (and W-9s for 1099 contractors)
- Pay rates, pay schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly) and direct deposit details
- Prior-quarter payroll summaries and Form 941 filings, if switching mid-year
- Access to your payroll software (QuickBooks Payroll or ADP)
- Tip reporting and overtime policy (for restaurants and retail)
2. Monthly bookkeeping checklist
To categorize transactions, reconcile accounts and deliver clean monthly reports:
- Monthly bank and business credit card statements
- POS summaries or daily sales reports (Toast, Square, Clover, etc.)
- Vendor invoices, bills and major expense receipts
- Business loan, line-of-credit or equipment lease statements
- Monthly payroll register and tax deposit confirmations
- QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop file access
3. US tax filing checklist
For corporate (1120, 1120-S, 1065) and personal (1040) tax return preparation in Drake Tax:
- Prior year federal and state tax returns
- Year-end Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet
- W-2s, 1099-NECs and K-1s issued or received
- Annual payroll summaries (Forms 941, 940 and W-3)
- Fixed-asset purchases (equipment, vehicles or property improvements)
- Quarterly federal and state estimated tax payments made
How onboarding works
Three simple steps from your first message to stress-free compliance.
Book your free consultation
Tell us about your business, employee count and current software on WhatsApp or email.
Share only the records you have
Send the items from the checklist above. If anything is missing, we help you pull it directly from your software or the IRS.
We set up and start the work
We organize your records, verify historical balances and begin running your payroll, books or tax return on schedule.
Ready to take payroll, bookkeeping and taxes off your plate?
Send us a message for a free consultation. We reply within one business day with a clear plan and flat-rate quote.