Create and Set Up a New Client

Setting up a new client in Propio takes just a few minutes. The flow walks you through client information, chart of accounts configuration, and bank account setup — in that order. This guide covers the Start Fresh path (no QBO or Xero migration). If you're migrating an existing ledger, see Migrate and Map Chart of Accounts instead.

Steps

Create the Client Profile

1. From your Homepage, click Create a client.
2. Fill in the client's personal and business information — name, business name, phone number, preferred language, and entity type.
3. Click Create Client.

Correct entity type matters. It determines the structure of the chart of accounts Propio generates for this client — specifically how equity accounts are organized.

Set Up the Ledger

1. On the next screen, choose how to set up the ledger. Select Start fresh if this client isn't coming from QBO or Xero, then click Continue.
2. On the Accounting Start Date screen, drag to set the date from which Propio will track this client's transactions.
3. Click Confirm.

Configure the Chart of Accounts

1. Review the available account groups. Toggle on any that apply to this client — for example, payroll, inventory, or construction. These groups are off by default.
2. Click Next.

Customize the Chart of Accounts

1. Review the chart of accounts generated for this client. Add sub-accounts as needed to reflect the nature of the business — click Create Subaccount, enter a name, and click Save.
2. Click Continue when you're done.

Connect the Bank Account

1. On the Invite Client to Connect Bank screen, you have two options:
   • Automatic (recommended): Propio generates a secure invitation message with a Plaid connection link. Send it directly via Send Via SMS or Send Via WhatsApp, or copy the Shareable Link to send through your own channel.
   • Add manually: Switch to the manual tab to create a bank account that you'll feed by uploading bank statements instead of a live connection.

Tips

💡 Reach out before sending the invite. Clients who receive the bank connection link with no context often ignore it. A quick call or voice message explaining what it's for dramatically increases the connection rate. See Recommended Process for Getting a Client to Connect Their Bank Account for the full playbook.

💡 You can skip bank setup and come back. If the client isn't ready to connect yet, you can finish the rest of the setup and invite them later from their profile.

💡 Sub-accounts can always be added later. Don't hold up client creation trying to build the perfect chart of accounts on day one. You can customize it anytime from the client's Chart of Accounts page.

Common Issues

Can't find the Create a client button.
Make sure your organization setup is complete. The button appears on the Homepage once your org is active.

Entity type was set incorrectly.
Contact support to update it — entity type affects the underlying account structure and isn't editable from the client profile directly.

The bank invitation was sent but the client hasn't connected.
See Recommended Process for Getting a Client to Connect Their Bank Account for follow-up strategies.

Related Articles

• Migrate and Map Chart of Accounts
• How Propio Handles Equity by Entity Type
• Recommended Process for Getting a Client to Connect Their Bank Account
• Import Transactions from Bank Statements
• Bank Statements, Check Images & Client Setup