Free Guides & Checklists

Turn Your Checklist into a Clear Handoff

A useful handoff separates records you have from questions that are still open. Start with a short list of accounts and the period each report covers.

Keep the list small enough to review with the next bookkeeper. Link each open question to the relevant month or report. You can work through the details in the bookkeeping handoff checklist.

• State the period: note the last month completed and the first month that needs work.
• List what is available: record which statements, reports, and supporting files you have.
• Keep gaps visible: label missing files and questions instead of marking them complete.
• Agree on the next step: confirm who will gather each missing item and how it will be shared.

For example, a folder with reports through June may still have questions about May. Note both facts in the handoff. The report date alone does not show which questions have been resolved.

If the list shows a backlog, use it when discussing catch-up bookkeeping scope. If the books are current, compare your needs with the ongoing bookkeeping service.

Build a Focused List of Tax Questions

The tri-state checklist can help you prepare questions for a tax conversation. Read the online version before choosing which topics to discuss. Keep the source links with your notes so each question has context.

Use a separate note for facts you know and points that need review. An unchecked box can mean “ask about this.” It does not establish that a rule applies to your business.

• Note the tax year you want to discuss.
• List changes in your business or the states where it operates.
• Identify the checklist sections you want an adviser to explain.
• Write down any date shown on a notice or request you have received.

Use those notes to explain the purpose of the meeting. You can start with a brief summary before sharing records. Keep copies of notices and financial documents for the agreed document-sharing step.

For a forward-looking discussion, see tax planning services. For help preparing a return, review tax preparation services. The service pages can help you describe the work you want to discuss.

Questions about the Guides

Do I need to finish every item before contacting ProAxis?

You can use the contact page to describe your needs while records or questions are still open. State what you have and what is missing. A partial list gives the conversation a starting point.

Which guide has a PDF?

The tri-state small business tax checklist has the PDF linked above. The bookkeeping handoff checklist is an online resource. Both online checklists can be read without submitting a form.

What if my question spans books and taxes?

Keep one list for the state of your records and another for tax questions. Explain where the two overlap when you contact the firm. That makes it easier to discuss the work and its scope.

What does checking an item mean?

Use your own notes to say whether an item is gathered, reviewed, or still open. Those are different stages. Checking a box does not mean a CPA has reviewed a record or approved a tax treatment.

Using These Resources

Check the date and source links on tax articles. A checklist is an organizer, not a filing instruction for every business. Tax elections, deadlines, and treatment depend on the applicable rules and your circumstances.

Keep sensitive documents out of a general contact message. If ProAxis is handling an engagement, use the client portal for requested records. The contact page can be used to discuss the service you need.

General information only; not tax, legal, or individualized accounting advice. Reading or downloading a guide does not create a CPA-client relationship. See the site disclaimer.