This article is for accountants who wish to add their clients' businesses to Melio.
There are two ways to do so, depending on the client:
1. Add a client with a Melio account.
2. Add a client without a Melio account.
Add a client with a Melio account
It's easy to add a client who already has a Melio account.
When you request to add them, they will receive an email requesting permission to add you to their Melio account.
Once they accept, their account will appear in your firm's Clients section and you will be given the accountant role in their account. Learn more about the roles and permissions available in Melio.
Here’s how to add such a client:
1. Sign in to your Melio account.
2. Click Clients in the left sidebar.
3. Click + New client, or + Add first client if this is your first time.
4. Enter your client’s name and email address. Click Continue.
5. Connect your client’s accounting software if they have QuickBooks or Xero.
6. The client will be recognized by the email address. Click Got it. send my request.
An email will be sent to the client asking them to allow you to join their account.
Here’s what the email looks like:
7. The client's account will appear in your firm's account with the label REQUEST PENDING until they accept your request.
8. Once your client accepts your request, their business will become available. Now you can start making payments on their behalf.
Add a client without a Melio account
When adding a new client that doesn’t have a Melio account, you need to decide how involved they will be when managing their AP/ARs.
Every client is unique and Melio allows you to digitally manage their accounts in a way that reflects your individual relationship with them.
For example, some clients prefer:
- To have more control and sign off on payments.
- Others prefer you to handle all their payments.
For hands-on clients:
- Invite the business owner to the account when asked.
- This will automatically make them the owner of the Melio account and grant them permission to all capabilities.
- You’ll get the accountant role and have limited permissions. For example, you can’t approve payments. See here the roles & permissions available on Melio.
- As an accountant, you can’t reassign the owner role, if you change your mind. You can ask your client to make you an admin, if there are more permissions needed for you. This article will guide your client how to manage their team.
For hands-off clients:
- Don't invite them to the account when asked.
- You can always invite them later and reassign the owner or admin roles to them.
Here’s how to add clients without a Melio account to your firm’s account:
1. Sign in to Melio.
2. Go to Clients in the left sidebar.
3. Click + New client or + Add first client if this is your first time.
4. Enter your client’s name and email address. Click Continue.
5. Now you can choose to connect your client’s accounting software.
NOTE: The benefits of syncing softwares
The sync between the two softwares includes bills and details about vendors. This saves time when reconciling and eliminates double data entry.
6. Add the owner’s details. Click Continue.
7. Add your client’s business address. Click Continue.
8. Add the estimated payment volume of your client. Click Continue. Alternatively, click Skip.
9. Add your client’s payment method or skip for now. You can connect:
- A bank account: automatically or with micro-deposits
- A credit card.
- A debit card.
10. Invite the business owner to the account or decide to manage it yourself. Click Continue.
NOTE: What it means to invite the business owner
When you invite the business owner, you grant them the owner role. Then, you’re automatically set as the accountant. You can always invite them later.
Decided not to invite the business owner? That’s it!
Decided to invite the business owner? Continue to step 11.
11. Melio lets the account owner and admins keep track of payments made by team members in the business. You can choose whether or not the account owner wants to approve payments over a certain amount.
It will apply to all payments made by accountants and contributors - including you if you invited the business owner in the previous step.
Want to set an approval workflow now? (You can also skip this step)
- Fill in the amount and click Continue.
- Not sure what the amount is? Check the box next to I don’t know ask [Owner’s name]. The owner has an option to set the amount as part of the Melio sign-up process.
NOTE: Setting up an approval workflow is optional and not a requirement.
That’s it.
In the Firm’s clients screen in your Clients dashboard, you’ll see your recently added client.