Who this checklist is for
This new accountant checklist is for owners who are starting with a new accountant, CA or bookkeeper, or meeting their first one. The first meeting sets the tone for the whole year. If the accountant only sees half the picture, the books are built on guesses, questions come back for weeks, and deadlines get tight.
Gather these eight things before the meeting, ideally in one shared folder, and send the folder link a day ahead. The first ones are the basics every accountant asks for. The last one is the item owners leave out most often, and it is the one that can cost the most. The same list works whether you file GST in India or sales tax and payroll returns in the US.
The 8 things, and why each one matters
Last year's tax returns and filings
Your last income tax return and every GST, sales tax or payroll filing from the past year. The new accountant starts from what was already reported, so the numbers carry on without gaps.
Bank statements for every account
Every business account, including the old one you rarely use and any card or wallet used for business. One missing account means income or costs that never reach the books.
All sales and purchase invoices
Every invoice you sent and every bill you received, in one folder by month. These are what the accountant matches against the bank to see what was earned, spent and still owed.
Loan, lease and rent agreements
Every loan, equipment lease and rent agreement, with the monthly amount and end date. Interest, deposits and lease terms are treated differently in the books, so the accountant needs the papers.
Salary and staff payment records
What each person was paid, when, and what was held back for tax or benefits. Payroll mistakes can mean corrected filings later, so the accountant should see these early.
Money you took out as the owner
A list of what you took out for yourself, and any personal spends paid from the business account. Business and personal money mixed together is hard to untangle later, so list it now.
Access to your accounting software
Give the accountant their own login to Tally, QuickBooks, Zoho Books or Xero, never your own password. You can remove their access any day, and you keep a record of who changed what.
Every tax notice, even the old ones
The item owners leave out. Hand over every letter or email from the tax office, answered or not. Notices often carry a reply date, and the accountant can only respond in time if they know the notice exists.
Questions about starting with a new accountant
What documents should I give my accountant?
How do I switch accountants mid-year?
Should I share my accounting software password with my accountant?
Do your invoices, bills and bank statements live in five different places?
Book a digital audit. We will look at how your bills, invoices and records move today and show you how they can land in one place your accountant can use.
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