Guides
Client Onboarding and Management Guides for UK Accountants
A good onboarding process sets the tone for the whole client relationship. It is also where many compliance risks start: missing identification, unsigned engagement letters and unclear scope. These guides cover how UK accounting firms onboard new clients step by step, hold client information in one place, link related clients such as directors and their companies, and keep a timeline of every interaction. They also cover collecting documents and signatures securely. Each guide gives a practical process first, then shows where Remindoo's client card, client journey, document portal and e-signature features help.
What this topic covers
- Onboarding checklists
- Client records and timelines
- Related clients
- Documents and e-signatures
- Fees and hours per client
Client onboarding and management guides
Client onboarding and management: common questions
What should a client onboarding process include?
At minimum: identity and AML checks, a risk assessment, a signed engagement letter, agent authorisations, collection of key records and prior-year information, and setting up the recurring services and deadlines the client needs.
How long should onboarding take?
It depends on complexity, but a clear checklist and a secure portal for documents and signatures usually shortens the process. The biggest delays are usually waiting for the client to send things.
Why link related clients?
Directors, their companies, spouses and partnerships often share information and risks. Linking them makes it easier to see the whole relationship, spot conflicts and avoid asking for the same documents twice.
Where should client documents be stored?
Somewhere secure, access-controlled and linked to the client record, not in personal inboxes. A client portal lets clients upload directly, which reduces email attachments.
Can clients sign engagement letters electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are widely used for engagement letters in the UK. Remindoo includes secure electronic signature for documents sent to clients.
Every deadline. Every client. One system.
Start with the workflows that cause the most chasing, then bring leads, AML, proposals and clients into the same calm operating system.
Why a single client record matters
When client details, deadlines, documents and conversations are spread across inboxes and spreadsheets, time goes on searching instead of on client work.
One version of the truth
Everyone sees the same services, contacts, deadlines and notes for each client.
Accurate deadlines
Companies House sync brings in company details and filing dates, reducing manual errors.
Better client service
A full timeline means anyone can answer a client question with the history in front of them.
Secure document sharing
A client portal is safer than sending financial documents as email attachments.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Import companies from Companies House rather than typing details by hand.
- Record every service a client takes, so recurring work is created automatically.
- Add a short note after every important client call.
- Ask clients to upload documents through the portal rather than by email.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
What UK practices say about Remindoo
Read all reviews on Trustpilot“With Remindoo, everything from the first enquiry to onboarding and ongoing client management is tracked in one place… It saves us hours and gives me, as a practice owner, complete visibility of where the firm stands.”
“The biggest benefit is having clients, tasks, deadlines, workflows, proposals and communication all organised in one place.”
“During my trial, the team were absolutely amazing. They helped onboard my clients, set up my settings and made sure everything was ready for me to use… they made the whole process completely stress-free.”
“It brings client information, tasks, recurring deadlines, workflows and reminders together in one place, giving us much better visibility across the team.”
