Set up client information
Use the Main tab of the Client setup screen to store the client's name, ID, tax IDs, and Social Security number. You can track the client's status (active or inactive), the dates your firm won and/or lost the client, and fiscal year end. You can also assign the client to Groupings such as office, entity, industry code, and assigned staff, for filtering the client list and creating analytical reports.
- TheIDfield is a unique alphanumeric ID for the client and is a required field. The ID can be up to 11 characters. It can be changed at any time and will update all records in the database where the previous client ID was used.
- TheSortfield is a sort name for the client and is also a required field. This name is used to sort lists and reports and is the name that will appear elsewhere in Practice CS. The Sort field may be up to 30 characters.
- TheName 1field is typically the name of the company if the client is a non-individual. If the client is an individual, use this field to enter the client's name. Use theName 2field for any client, if needed. Name 1 and Name 2 may be up to 50 characters each.
- TheFirst NameandLast Namefields should be used if the client is an individual. First name may be up to 14 characters and last name may be up to 20 characters.
- TheSpouseinformation can be entered, and if the spouse SSN in Practice CS matches a spouse SSN of an UltraTax CS 1040 client that is setup as Married filing joint or Married filing separate, Practice CS will prompt you via a Data Sharing dialog to accept the spouse's first and last names from UltraTax CS. You can then choose to accept or postpone the indicated changes.
- TheClassfield has 3 possible values: Client, Prospect, or Administrative. If you select Administrative, you'll only be able to enter activities for this client that are assigned to the Administrative activity class. For example, you can create a default "firm client" for entering time spent performing administrative tasks, and only administrative activities can be entered for that client.
- TheStatusfield defaults to Active for new clients. Active clients are available for all processes within the application. Inactive clients are not available for entry on the Time & Expense Entry screen. Making a client inactive will also make all engagements inactive and cancel all open projects. Changing theStatusto On Hold will disable the ability to enter time and expenses for the client but will not inactivate the engagements or cancel open projects.
- TheStartfield is used to track the date your firm began doing business with the client.
- TheLeftfield is used for indicating the date your firm stops doing business with a client. Leave this field blank for any new clients. If you enter a date in the field, the client won't be available on the Time & Expense Entry screen, as the client will automatically change to an Inactive status. If the client has any subsidiary clients, you can't enter aLeftdate until you remove this client as the parent client from those subsidiary clients.
- TheFYEfield displays the month of the client's fiscal year end.
- TheWIP Limitfield is used for storing a dollar amount for maximum outstanding WIP (Work in Process) for the client.
- TheA/R Limitfield is used for storing a dollar amount for maximum outstanding receipts for the client.
- WithinGroupings, you can identify the client's office, partner, manager, associate, entity, and industry code. These groupings are used for filtering the client list within data entry and report generation. Items in these-drop down lists come from information entered in other areas of the application. If you have security privileges to edit the corresponding groups, you can edit these groups by right-clicking in the field and choosingAdd,Edit, orDelete.