Bookkeeping and Accounting Setup
Assess whether your new business has a bookkeeping system, chart of accounts, and process to keep clean records from the start.
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For founders, new owners, and anyone starting out
Contractor and Vendor Onboarding Controls
Clarify contractor and vendor onboarding controls as a first-time owner: what decision you are making, what must happen now, what can wait, and the next concrete action.
6 guided steps
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Official guidance links
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Your free guided checker
Answer a few quick questions below. It is private - nothing is submitted or stored - and takes about a minute.
General information only; not legal, tax, insurance, cybersecurity, or investment advice. Confirm formation decisions with qualified advisers in every applicable jurisdiction.
The questions this tool walks you through
Here is what the checker asks and why each step matters. Prefer to talk it through? Contact us and we will help directly.
Before granting access or paying a vendor, will you document classification, identity and tax forms, scope, confidentiality, IP assignment, security access, insurance, payment approval, and offboarding?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Continue to the next control. Note this item for your final action list, then continue.
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
Are you buying a defined result from an independent business, or controlling when, where, and how an individual performs ongoing work?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Continue to the next control. Note this item for your final action list, then continue.
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
Before sharing passwords or client files, have you limited vendor access to what is necessary and planned to revoke it immediately when work ends?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Continue to the next control. Note this item for your final action list, then continue.
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
Will each vendor receive unique credentials with an end date, rather than shared master passwords?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Continue to the next control. Note this item for your final action list, then continue.
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
Is there a written test distinguishing a true independent contractor from someone you schedule and supervise like an employee?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Continue to the next control. Note this item for your final action list, then continue.
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
Before access or payment, will you complete classification, W-9, scope, IP, confidentiality, insurance, approval, and offboarding documentation?
Answer based on what you genuinely know today. A “No” identifies a question or task; it does not mean you made a mistake.
Run the onboarding checklist before first access Separate employees from independent contractors with a written test
Official guidance: IRS independent contractor vs employee
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