Getting started user guide (Practice Customers)

This guide gives you an overall picture on how to create new clients, set up the application and get started with Tax Return Production and Accounts . Please see the video below for information on getting started. Alternatively this has also been detailed below in writing.

PLEASE NOTE: This article only contains basic information. Please contact support if you are unsure about any steps or need to do something different.

Practice Manager

Tax Return Production

Accounts Production

Create a new Client in Practice Manager

Before you can start any tax returns, accounts or VAT returns, you’ll need to enter the client information into Practice Manager. For further information on how to do this, please see our article for How do I create a new client?

Once a client has been created you can assign relationships with other clients entered in the database. For further information on how to do this, please see How do I create relationships for directors, company secretaries and partners in Practice Manager?

If you want to customise Practice Manager, follow How do I customise Practice Manager?

Admin Centre

In the Admin centre you can do the following:

• Enter Filing Credentials (Accounts, Tax and VAT filing)
• Enter your Firm Details.
• Create Security Roles.
• Add additional users of TaxCalc
• Backup Database.
• Restore a backup of the database.
• Edit applications to make global changes for all clients.

You can then open the client in Tax Return Production, Accounts Production, VAT return and other modules.

Using Tax Return Production

For further information on how to create a tax return, please see the link for How do I create a tax return?

To complete a new return, you need to choose which mode you want to use:

• SimpleStep mode asks you a series of questions and presents the relevant pages for you to complete.
• HMRC Forms mode presents you with the paper forms on screen and gives you the box reference numbers associated with the returns.

Note: If you want to change a mode after you’ve selected it, go to the top left-hand corner of the screen and use the Switch to… link.

In both modes, as you fill in the applicable information in the relevant boxes, you’ll see the wizard icon (wand located to the right of the boxes). This will assist with collating the information required for the total of this box and will give an area where you can provide a further breakdown if required.

For example, if the total amount of interest you’re declaring is made up of four different interest amounts, instead of just entering the total, you can click on the wand and show each of the four transactions received. This will then populate the total into the taxable interest amount box.

The wizard icon can also assist with workings such as mileage allowance and company car expenditure.

If you require further clarification on what information can be declared in each box, click on the help link (question mark icon ? at the right-hand side of the box). This will take you to our Help Manual, which provides HMRC documentation, worksheets and examples to assist with your understanding.

If you are completing a corporation tax return, please find the link for Do I need to attach accounts to my CT600? This will provide you with more information on attaching iXBRL accounts/PDF attachments to the return itself.

Using Accounts Production

To create a set of accounts within Accounts Production, please see the below instructions:

1. Select Client in Practice Manager.

2. Click on Open in Accounts Production on the left menu.
3. Click on New Period > Enter the dates > Create.
4. Double click on the period dates to open in a new page.
5. In Client Information the details should auto populate from the information entered in Practice Manager.
6. Click on Accounts Setup and select Accounting Standard, Company Status, Cover page information.
7. Click on Posting. From here you have two options. You can manually enter the details (the numbered instructions below) or you can import a trial balance from CSV format. For further information on how to import a trial balance please see How do I import a Trial Balance using a CSV?

Below is a short video that will take you through the import routine. Alternatively, for a step by step guide, the instructions continue underneath the video.

8. Click on New Batch.
9. Click on the magnifying glass symbol and in Find an account box type in what you want to post to the Trial Balance.
10. Choose an account and enter figure in the debit or credit column.
11. Complete the posting of the Trial Balance and click on Save and Close.
    
12. Edit Notes: From here you will be able to complete the relevant information and apply any amendments the notes may require to satisfy your company requirements.
    
13. After you complete this you can Save and Close.
14. The reports can then be generated for your review and any copies can be made via the print option. Note that iXBRL tagging is automatically applied to the accounts. 
15. You should click on check and finish to see if there are any errors which need to be addressed, before submitting to Companies House.

You can create previous years accounts to be able to have comparatives. Make sure that the dates follow each other. Here is a knowledge base article on How do I show comparative figures in Accounts Production?

How to change notes globally across all clients

1. Click on Admin Centre from the Home screen.

2. Select Applications from the left-hand menu.

3. Double-click on the Accounts Production or Customise Accounts Production.
4. Select Notes and Reports from the left-hand menu.
5. Select the Customise button as applicable to see the notes that you’re able to customise globally.

6. Change the relevant notes.
7. Click on Save and Close.
8. Select Finish from the left-hand menu.
9. Click on Finish and Save.