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Before a new client signs, check your letter of engagement covers scope, fees, every entity and APES 305. See the clauses and a template structure.

Copy this client information form for individuals, sole traders, trusts and companies, and see what each question must ask and why.

Before you act for a new client, confirm who they are. ID verification in Australia for tax agents, from sighting documents to Australia Post checks.

If a new trust client sends you their deed, check the trustee, appointor, beneficiaries, vesting date and every variation before you rely on it.

Directors often can’t find their director ID when you ask. It sits on their ABRS record, and a director without one applies through ABRS first.

Find, replace or reset a company client’s ASIC key so you can lodge for them. The key sits on the company statement, and a lost one can be reissued.

Who can be a public officer, and what does the role involve? Record your company client’s public officer at onboarding and change it correctly.

When an employer client hires, the new starter completes a TFN declaration form and super choice form. Collect both securely before the first pay run.

Who really owns or controls your new company or trust client? Identify each beneficial owner, verify them and record beneficial ownership for AML.

Before you can lodge for a new client, the ATO has to know you act for them. Here is how to nominate a tax agent for an individual or a business.

Build an AML program your practice can keep up: a risk assessment, policies, a compliance officer, staff training and an independent evaluation.

Bought a fee base? Work through this buying an accounting practice checklist to move clients across with consent, clearance, new letters and nominations.

Won a new bookkeeping client? This onboarding checklist template covers Xero and MYOB access, bank feeds, payroll details and catch-up work.

Is the trustee a company or a person? Learn what a corporate trustee is, how it compares with an individual trustee and where to confirm it.

Check whether a new trust client already has a family trust election, then make, vary or fix it the way the ATO expects when errors appear.

If a new client is a politically exposed person, extra checks apply. See who counts, how to screen for PEPs and sanctions, and what follows a match.

Send your business client these client agent linking steps: myID, RAM, then a nomination using your agent number. Plus fixes and exception requests.

When an executor asks you to handle a client’s estate, confirm their authority, notify the ATO of the death and plan the date of death return.

Lost the company TFN? There is no public company TFN lookup, so find it in ATO records, or apply for a new company, trust or partnership TFN.

Which records does each business client owe you at year end? Use this small business tax preparation checklist for sole traders, partners and companies.

A phone photo of a licence is not certified ID. See who can certify documents online or in person, and which copies your practice must reject.

Does your engagement letter meet APES 305 Terms of Engagement? See who the standard binds, which terms are mandatory and when to reissue them.

Which checks must you run on a new client? Work through customer due diligence by client type, from simplified to enhanced, with a checklist to copy.

How many digits is a TFN, and how do you know an ABN is active? Check both with ABN Lookup and the check digit rules before you lodge.