QBO/Xero read-only access on the kickoff call

Pull bank feeds and books access live. Client never becomes your statement courier.

Month-end chase usually starts because kickoff skipped access design. On the first paid call, share screen and leave with working QBO/Xero bookkeeper (or accountant) access and bank feeds connected — or a clear N/A for accounts that must stay chase-only.

Before the call (5 minutes)

Send a one-pager: “We’ll add you as bookkeeper/accountant and connect bank feeds together.”
Ask them to have bank login + MFA device ready (you never take passwords).
Open your account inventory sheet: bank / CC / loan rows with Access status blank.

QuickBooks Online — bookkeeper invite

Client: Gear → Manage users → Accounting firms → Invite
Use your practice email; role = Standard or Custom with books + banking view (not full admin unless needed)
You accept the invite on the call; confirm you can open Banking and Chart of Accounts
For bank feeds: Banking → Link account (client stays signed into the bank; you guide clicks)

Xero — advisor / standard access

Client: Settings → Users → Invite a user → Advisor (or Standard with bank + reports)
Accept invite; confirm Accounts → Bank accounts is visible
Connect feeds via Xero bank connections while client authenticates

Bank feeds vs true read-only bank login

Prefer QBO/Xero feeds first — one place for reconcile
If a bank won’t connect: mark that row Chase and set a Day 0 statement ask only for that account
Optional: read-only online banking user named for your firm when the client bank supports it — never share their personal login

Leave-the-call checklist

Every account row: Pull / Chase / N/A
Screenshot or note of connected institutions
One sentence in the engagement letter: “Client maintains bookkeeper access and bank feeds; statements only for Pull=No accounts.”

Grab the free phased monthly-close checklist, or join the CloseReady early-access waitlist for the full intake + monthly ask kit.