Set Up a First Client for Firm Work

SPRK Dashboard in Demo Company showing the active company selector, main sidebar navigation, KPI cards, charts, and quick links

Use this checklist to orient a small-business accounting or bookkeeping firm through the first client setup path in SPRK.

When To Use This

Use this workflow when you need a high-level sequence from company creation or import through bank review, reconciliation, reporting, and company transfer.

Steps

  1. Create or import the client company.
  2. Confirm the active company selector shows the client you intend to work in.
  3. Review company setup fields, required account fields, accounting edit policies, and control-account settings.
  4. Review the chart of accounts and opening balances.
  5. Import bank activity or add the first bank/card account.
  6. Create or review rules for recurring bank activity.
  7. Classify, split, match, transfer, or confirm pending bank rows.
  8. Complete the first reconciliation when statement data is ready.
  9. Create or import customers, vendors, and items as needed.
  10. Enter invoices, bills, checks, and payments through their source workflows.
  11. Run the core reports: trial balance, income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, general ledger, account detail, aging reports, expense by vendor, and reconciliation report where relevant.
  12. Export or print review outputs when needed.
  13. Configure backup settings.
  14. Export a Company file when the firm needs a company-level transfer or safekeeping file.
  15. Start a checklist run if the client needs a recurring close or review cadence.

Boundaries

  • This is workflow orientation, not accounting, tax, payroll, or legal advice.
  • SPRK 1.0 guidance is aimed at accounting and bookkeeping firms serving small businesses, not enterprise ERP, payroll tax filing, tax agency filing, full multi-currency/FX, advanced inventory costing, or perfect historical QuickBooks migration.
  • Use a Company File for SPRK-to-SPRK transfer; use import paths for setup and transaction data that originate outside SPRK.