Add a Client and Make Them Close-Ready

App path: Add Client or client settings from the Kraal workspace sidebar.

Use this scenario when a firm brings a new client into Kraal and wants the client to be usable for daily bookkeeping, reporting, and close.

Goal

The client exists, has the right entity scope, has a working accounting engine, has an intake path for source documents, and can appear on Daily Board and Manage Close without setup ambiguity.

Before you start

• Know the legal client name and operating entity structure.
• Know whether the client is new, migrating from QuickBooks, or already has ERPNext data.
• Know the first month you want to close in Kraal.
• Decide whether bank intake will start with Plaid, statement upload, or both.

Checklist

1. Open Portfolio Hub or Add Client.
2. Create the client record and confirm the display name used by your firm.
3. Confirm the entity structure:
   • single entity clients should show one primary entity;
   • multi-entity clients should show each subsidiary or legal entity separately;
   • for a group, record each entity's relationship (subsidiary, branch/division, or affiliate/investment), ownership % where it applies (subsidiaries and affiliates/investments — branch/division is fixed at 100% and not asked), and effective date in the wizard's Additional Entities step — see Working with Multiple Entities;
   • consolidated work should stay labeled as consolidation or client-wide.
4. Complete guided setup:
   • firm and client details;
   • ERPNext provisioning or connection;
   • chart of accounts path;
   • opening balances or migration source;
   • data intake method;
   • close start date.
5. Open the client hub and confirm the client has a clear next action.
6. Open Daily Board and confirm the client appears in the right lane: ready, waiting, needs setup, or needs review.
7. Open Manage Close and confirm the first close period exists or can be created.
8. Run the first readiness refresh before putting the client into normal work.

What good looks like

• Daily Board does not show raw IDs for the client or entity.
• Client setup status is plain-language and actionable.
• The client has one clear source-of-truth intake path for documents and banking.
• Manage Close shows a real period, not a generic placeholder.
• The Kraal button's Ask tab can brief you on what remains before normal work can start.

If something is blocked

• If ERPNext is unavailable, wait for the retry state or open the client's setup readiness.
• If QuickBooks is connected but not healthy, use the QuickBooks integration detail before relying on reports.
• If bank intake is not ready, use statement upload so bookkeeping can proceed.
• If close cannot start, verify prior periods and the close start date.

Related docs

• Onboarding Wizard
• Client Setup & Close Workflow
• Workspace Overview
• Integrations