External Client Portal

Kraal's external client portal helps accounting firms collect client responses without moving the client into the firm's internal workspace.

Use it when you need a client to:

• Upload or reference a document
• Answer a specific question
• Approve or reject a review item

The portal is designed for quick response. It is not a full accounting workspace and does not expose the firm's internal dashboards, work queues, or automation controls.

How the flow works

1. A firm user creates a request from the client workspace.
2. Kraal sends the client a secure portal link when an external portal contact is assigned.
3. The client opens the link and sees their open requests.
4. The client responds inline.
5. The request is marked complete and appears resolved for the firm.

Create a client request

From the workspace for a selected client, use Request from Client.

Choose the request type:

• Document for bank statements, invoices, receipts, contracts, or other supporting files.
• Question for short clarifications, missing details, or confirmation of accounting treatment.
• Approval when the client needs to approve or reject a review item.

Add a clear title, optional description, priority, and due date. Keep the request specific so the client knows exactly what to do.

Good examples:

• "Upload March bank statement"
• "Confirm whether invoice INV-1042 was paid outside the bank feed"
• "Approve April close package"

Avoid broad requests like "send everything for March" unless your firm has already agreed on that meaning with the client.

What clients see

Clients see a simple portal page with their pending requests. Depending on the request type, they can:

• Type an answer
• Approve or reject
• Provide a document note or upload reference

Completed requests move out of the open list. If the client cannot access the portal link, send a fresh request or ask your administrator to confirm the client's portal contact.

Track requests in the workspace

The workspace shows request counts and recent open requests so firm users can see what is still blocking work.

Use the request card to identify:

• How many requests are still pending
• Which requests are marked urgent
• Which client follow-ups may be blocking close or reconciliation work

Kraal may also surface advisory signals when client requests become overdue. These signals are reminders to review the client request and decide the next action.

Recommended firm practices

• Assign requests to the right client contact when possible.
• Use one request per clear action.
• Include due dates for close-critical requests.
• Use urgent priority only when the request blocks time-sensitive accounting work.
• Resolve or cancel stale requests rather than leaving them pending indefinitely.

Security and access

The portal link is intended only for the client recipient. Do not post portal links in shared public channels.

Clients should only use links sent by your firm or by Kraal on your firm's behalf. If a link appears suspicious, the client should contact the firm before opening it.

The portal does not give clients access to internal firm screens, work queues, automation settings, or other clients.

Troubleshooting

If a client says they cannot see a request:

• Confirm the request was created for the correct client.
• Confirm the request is still pending.
• Confirm the request was assigned to the intended portal contact, if your firm uses assigned contacts.
• Send a new request if the original link is old or the recipient changed.

If a request is no longer needed, cancel it from the firm workspace so the open request count stays accurate.