- Your accountant mainly needs your business details and access to your records
- Your accountant will usually work in Xero, so sort out access early
- Put invoices, receipts and bank statements in one place
- You don't need perfect books to start, only what you already have
If your first question is “what does an accountant need from me?”, this checklist gives you the plain-English answer. A few things ready on day one make accounting services for your business quicker to start, because your accountant isn’t waiting on you for the basics. You don’t need to understand any accounting jargon to get this right.
Why does getting organised before your first accountant save you time?
Your first accountant can only work with what you hand over. When the basics are in one place, they spend their first days on your business instead of chasing logins and missing paperwork.
This is the practical side of how the accounting process works: your accountant builds on your records, so tidy inputs make every later step easier. Knowing how to prepare for your first accountant turns day one into a short handover instead of a weekend of admin. The same list doubles as a switching accountants checklist if you’re moving from someone else.
What does an accountant actually need from you?
To get started, your accountant mainly needs a clear picture of your business and access to your records. In practice that means your business details, access to your accounting software (usually Xero), and your recent invoices, receipts and bank statements in one place. You don’t need everything perfect, and a good accountant will help you tidy up as they onboard you.
Here’s how to prepare for your first accountant in one pass: what to give your accountant, and why each item matters. Think of it as the get-ready list for the documents your accountant needs and the access they’ll ask for.
| What to gather | Why your accountant asks |
|---|---|
| Business details | So they know exactly who they’re working with |
| Accounting software access | So they can work in your live records |
| Names of anyone else who needs access | So the right people can see the books from day one |
| Tools you already use | So your sales and payments reach your books |
| Invoices, receipts and bank statements | So nothing needs chasing later |
What business basics should you have in one place?
Have these on hand so your accountant doesn’t need to ask twice:
- Your business name and ABN
- How the business is set up, such as a sole trader or a company
- The best contact details for you and anyone else involved
You’re stating how the business is set up, not choosing it. If you’re just getting started, our accounting for startups page shows what support looks like for a new business.
Do you already have a Xero account?
It’s a question we ask new clients all the time: “Do you currently have a Xero account for the business?” If you’ve ever wondered “what does an accountant need to do my books?”, the honest answer starts with access to your accounting software.
If you have an account, note who set it up and who can log in. If you don’t, that’s fine, because your accountant will usually work in Xero and can talk you through getting set up. For a quick refresher, how Xero works explains the basics without the jargon.
Who else needs access to your books?
Another one we hear often is “Do you want anybody else added on to your Xero?” Think about who else should see the numbers, such as a co-founder, a business partner or a team member.
Tell your accountant up front so access is set up once, rather than patched in later. If you’d rather keep the books to yourself for now, that’s a perfectly good answer too.
Do you need to connect the tools you already use, like Shopify?
“Do I have to link Shopify as well on Xero?” is a common one. Many online stores, payment tools and invoicing apps can connect to Xero, so your sales and payments flow into your books without retyping.
Make a quick list of what you use, including the app you send invoices from. Your accountant can tell you which ones are worth linking, so you don’t need to work out the set-up on your own.
How do you get your paperwork together?
The second half of the answer to “what does an accountant need to do my books?” is paperwork. Pick one spot, whether that’s a shared folder or an app you already use, and put what you have in it:
- Invoices you’ve sent and received
- Receipts for what you’ve spent
- Recent bank statements
If you’re unsure what to give your accountant, these are the documents your accountant needs first. The goal is simple: nothing gets chased later. If you’re not sure whether something counts, add it anyway and let your accountant sort it out.
The same list works for getting started with a bookkeeper, since day-to-day records start from the same paperwork. Our bookkeeping services cover that side if you’d rather hand it over.
What questions are worth asking an accountant before you start?
Onboarding with an accountant goes smoothest when you know what you’re signing up for. These questions cover most of it, and none of them needs a number to answer:
- What’s included in the service, and what costs extra?
- Who will I deal with day to day?
- How will we keep in touch, and how quickly can I expect a reply?
- How does the handover work, including records from my current accountant?
Still comparing providers? Choosing an online accountant walks through what to look for.
Already have an accountant and thinking about a move? Use this page as your switching accountants checklist, then read about switching from your current accountant for the handover side.
How does Sleek make onboarding with an accountant simple?
Onboarding with an accountant is simpler when someone else does the heavy lifting. Sleek’s team connects your bank feeds and collects your existing records, so you’re not building everything from scratch, and if you’re switching we coordinate with your old accountant on the file transfer and follow-ups.
If you’d like help with all of it, talk to Sleek about a small business accountant who can take the set-up off your plate. Getting started with a bookkeeper or an accountant follows the same prep, so nothing above goes to waste.
Still asking “what does an accountant need from me?” Bring your business details, your access and your paperwork, and we’ll handle the rest with you.
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FAQs on what does an accountant need from me
My books are a mess. Can I still get started?
Yes, you can still get started. A good accountant expects some tidying up, so bring what you have and be upfront about the gaps. The aim is a clean starting point, not a perfect one.
Can I switch to a new accountant partway through the year?
Yes, you can switch accountants at any point in the year. Your new accountant will usually ask for your existing records and access to your accounting software. Share what you have early so the move stays smooth.
What's the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper when I'm getting started?
A bookkeeper looks after your day-to-day records, while an accountant works from those records to prepare and review your reports. Some businesses use both, and both draw on the same paperwork. If you’re unsure where to begin, ask the provider what they’d recommend for your situation.
Do I need to understand accounting before I talk to an accountant?
No. You only need to know your business and bring what you have. Your accountant should explain any jargon in plain English, and it’s fine to ask them to repeat anything.
