> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.accassistant.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Initial Setup

> Complete guide to setting up AccAssistant for your organization

## System Requirements

### Browser Requirements

* Chrome 90+ (recommended)
* Firefox 88+
* Safari 14+
* Edge 90+

### Network Requirements

* Stable internet connection
* Access to accassistant.com domain
* Ports 80 and 443 open for HTTPS traffic

## Account Creation

### Registration Options

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Email Registration">
    1. Visit [accassistant.com/signup](https://accassistant.com/signup)
    2. Enter your email address
    3. Create a strong password
    4. Verify your email address
    5. Complete your profile
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Google OAuth">
    1. Click "Sign up with Google"
    2. Select your Google account
    3. Grant necessary permissions
    4. Complete your profile
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Organization Configuration

### Basic Settings

Configure your organization's fundamental settings:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Organization Details">
    * **Name**: Your company or firm name
    * **Type**: Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.
    * **Tax ID**: Federal tax identification number
    * **Address**: Primary business address
    * **Contact Information**: Phone, email, website
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fiscal Year Settings">
    * **Start Month**: Beginning of your fiscal year
    * **End Month**: End of your fiscal year
    * **Period Close Dates**: Monthly, quarterly, or annual
    * **Timezone**: Your business timezone
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Currency & Localization">
    * **Base Currency**: Primary currency for transactions
    * **Additional Currencies**: For multi-currency support
    * **Date Format**: MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY
    * **Number Format**: Decimal and thousand separators
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### User Roles & Permissions

AccAssistant supports three primary roles:

| Role           | Permissions                                                  | Best For                             |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| **Admin**      | Full access to all features, user management, settings       | Organization owners, senior partners |
| **Accountant** | Create/edit transactions, generate reports, manage workflows | Staff accountants, bookkeepers       |
| **Viewer**     | Read-only access to reports and data                         | Clients, auditors, stakeholders      |

## Chart of Accounts Setup

### Account Structure

AccAssistant uses a flexible account numbering system:

```
1000-1999: Assets
2000-2999: Liabilities  
3000-3999: Equity
4000-4999: Revenue
5000-5999: Cost of Goods Sold
6000-7999: Operating Expenses
8000-8999: Other Income/Expenses
9000-9999: Non-Operating Items
```

### Import Methods

<CodeGroup>
  ```csv chart-of-accounts.csv theme={null}
  Code,Name,Type,Category,SubCategory,ReportCode
  1000,Petty Cash,Asset,Current Asset,Cash,CASH
  1010,Checking Account,Asset,Current Asset,Cash,CASH
  1020,Savings Account,Asset,Current Asset,Cash,CASH
  1200,Accounts Receivable,Asset,Current Asset,Receivables,AR
  1500,Inventory,Asset,Current Asset,Inventory,INV
  ```

  ```json chart-of-accounts.json theme={null}
  {
    "accounts": [
      {
        "code": "1000",
        "name": "Petty Cash",
        "type": "Asset",
        "category": "Current Asset",
        "subCategory": "Cash",
        "reportCode": "CASH"
      },
      {
        "code": "1010",
        "name": "Checking Account",
        "type": "Asset",
        "category": "Current Asset",
        "subCategory": "Cash",
        "reportCode": "CASH"
      }
    ]
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Entity Management

### Multi-Entity Setup

For organizations managing multiple entities:

1. **Parent Organization**: Set up the main organization first
2. **Subsidiaries**: Add child entities with relationships
3. **Consolidation Rules**: Define how entities roll up
4. **Inter-company Accounts**: Set up elimination entries

### Entity Configuration

Each entity requires:

* Legal name and DBA
* Tax identification
* Address information
* Bank account assignments
* Reporting currency
* Consolidation settings

## Bank Connection Setup

### Plaid Integration

<Note>
  Plaid integration provides secure, real-time access to over 10,000 financial institutions.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Bank Accounts">
    Go to **General Ledger → Bank Accounts**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add New Connection">
    Click **Connect Bank Account** and select **Plaid**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search Institution">
    Search for your bank or credit union
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    Enter your online banking credentials securely
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Accounts">
    Choose which accounts to sync with AccAssistant
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Sync">
    Set sync frequency and transaction history depth
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Manual Import Configuration

For banks not supported by Plaid:

1. **Download Format**: Configure expected file format (CSV, OFX, QBO)
2. **Field Mapping**: Map bank columns to AccAssistant fields
3. **Import Schedule**: Set up regular import reminders
4. **Validation Rules**: Define rules for duplicate detection

## Dimension Setup

### Understanding Dimensions

Dimensions provide additional ways to categorize and analyze your financial data:

* **Department**: Track by business unit
* **Project**: Monitor project profitability
* **Location**: Analyze by geographic region
* **Cost Center**: Allocate overhead costs
* **Custom**: Create your own dimensions

### Configuration Steps

1. Navigate to **General Ledger → Dimensions**
2. Click **Add Dimension Type**
3. Define dimension structure
4. Create dimension values
5. Set default assignments

## Initial Data Import

### Historical Data

Import your historical financial data to maintain continuity:

<Warning>
  Always backup your data before importing. Test imports with a small dataset first.
</Warning>

### Import Checklist

* [ ] Opening balances by account
* [ ] Outstanding invoices (AR)
* [ ] Unpaid bills (AP)
* [ ] Bank reconciliation status
* [ ] Fixed asset register
* [ ] Depreciation schedules
* [ ] Vendor and customer lists
* [ ] Historical transactions (optional)

## Workflow Configuration

### Approval Workflows

Set up approval chains for:

* Journal entries above certain amounts
* Vendor payments
* Customer invoices
* Month-end close procedures

### Notification Settings

Configure alerts for:

* Pending approvals
* Bank sync issues
* Unusual transactions
* Report generation
* System maintenance

## Security Settings

### Two-Factor Authentication

<Note>
  We strongly recommend enabling 2FA for all users with financial access.
</Note>

1. Go to **Settings → Security**
2. Enable **Two-Factor Authentication**
3. Choose method: SMS or Authenticator App
4. Follow setup instructions
5. Save backup codes securely

### Session Management

* Idle timeout: 15 minutes (configurable)
* Remember device: Optional 30-day trust
* IP restrictions: Limit access by IP range
* Login history: Track all access attempts

## Next Steps

After completing initial setup:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Import Transactions" icon="file-import" href="/bookkeeping/transactions">
    Begin importing your financial data
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure Automations" icon="robot" href="/features/ai-automation">
    Set up AI-powered automation rules
  </Card>

  <Card title="Train Your Team" icon="users" href="/features/overview">
    Get your team up to speed
  </Card>
</CardGroup>