Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is easy! After signing up, you'll land on your dashboard. From there: 1. Add your first client - Click "Clients" → "Add Client" and enter their basic info 2. Upload documents - Drag and drop any tax documents (PDFs, images) 3. Watch AI work - Documents are automatically classified and organized 4. Invite your client - Send them a portal invitation to securely share files Most CPAs are up and running in under 10 minutes. If you get stuck, just click "Ask CPA Hub" - our AI assistant can guide you through anything.

Yes! CPA Hub supports CSV import for bulk client uploads. To import clients: 1. Go to Clients → Import 2. Download our CSV template 3. Fill in your client data (name, email, phone, etc.) 4. Upload the completed CSV 5. Review and confirm the import We can import from TaxDome, Canopy, Karbon, and most other platforms. Need help? Download our free Migration Guide or contact support.

Most CPAs complete basic setup in 10-15 minutes: - Account creation: 2 minutes - First client added: 2 minutes - First document uploaded: 1 minute - Client portal invitation sent: 2 minutes For full migration from another platform (importing all clients and documents), plan for 2-5 days depending on your firm size. We provide a detailed migration guide and personal support to make it smooth.

No! CPA Hub is 100% cloud-based. All you need is: - A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) - Internet connection There's nothing to download, install, or update. Access your practice from any computer, anywhere. Your clients access their portal the same way - just a web browser.

When you upload a document, our AI automatically: 1. Identifies the document type (W-2, 1099, K-1, bank statement, etc.) 2. Extracts key data (employer name, wages, account numbers, etc.) 3. Organizes it in the correct client folder 4. Flags missing documents based on what's expected This happens in 2-3 seconds per document. The AI recognizes 50+ document types commonly used in tax preparation. No manual sorting required.

Ask CPA Hub is your built-in AI assistant. Think of it as a help desk that knows everything about CPA Hub. Just click the "Ask CPA Hub" button and type your question: - "How do I share documents with a client?" - "What's the keyboard shortcut for search?" - "How do I set up e-signatures?" Ask CPA Hub provides instant answers and can even take you directly to the feature you need. It's available 24/7 - no waiting for support tickets.

Our AI achieves 95%+ accuracy on common tax documents like W-2s, 1099s, and bank statements. For less common or unusual documents, accuracy may vary. You can always: - Manually correct any classification with one click - The AI learns from corrections over time - Flag documents for review if unsure The goal is to save you time on the 80% of documents that are straightforward, while keeping you in control of edge cases.

CPA Hub AI recognizes 50+ document types, including: Tax Forms: W-2, W-9, 1099 (all types), 1098, K-1, 1040, Schedule C, Schedule E, and more Financial Documents: Bank statements, brokerage statements, credit card statements, loan documents Identity & Business: Driver's license, Social Security cards, EIN letters, business licenses Other: Receipts, invoices, property tax statements, healthcare documents (1095-A/B/C) Don't see a document type you need? Let us know - we're constantly expanding coverage.

Based on your client's profile and uploaded documents, our AI identifies what's likely missing. Example: If a client uploads a W-2 showing wages, but no federal return from last year, the AI might flag: - Prior year tax return (for comparison) - State W-2 (if applicable) - Any 1099s (based on client history) You'll see a "Missing Documents" section in each client's profile with suggestions. One click sends a request to your client through their portal.

Security is our top priority. CPA Hub uses: Encryption: - 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption in transit - AES-256 encryption at rest - All data encrypted before storage Infrastructure: - Hosted on enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure - Automatic daily backups - Geographic redundancy CPA Hub is building toward SOC 2, with SOC 2-aligned controls in place today. We are not SOC 2 certified and will not say we are until we hold the report. Access Control: - Two-factor authentication (2FA) available - Role-based permissions - Audit logs for all actions - Automatic session timeout Your client data is safer with us than in a filing cabinet.

CPA Hub supports all common document formats: Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, CSV, TXT Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP Max file size: 25 MB per file For best AI classification results, we recommend PDF format. If you have scanned documents, make sure they're clear and readable.

Yes! Documents are automatically organized by: - Client - Each client has their own document area - Tax Year - Documents grouped by relevant tax year - Type - AI-classified categories (Income, Deductions, etc.) You can also create custom folders and tags for additional organization. Use global search (Ctrl+K) to find any document instantly across all clients.

CPA Hub offers multiple secure sharing options: 1. Client Portal (Recommended) Invite clients to their portal where they can view and upload documents anytime. 2. Secure Share Links Generate a password-protected, expiring link for specific documents. Great for one-time shares. 3. E-Signature Requests Send documents for electronic signature directly through the platform. All methods use encryption and access logging. No more emailing sensitive tax documents!

Absolutely. Your data is YOUR data. You can export: - Client list as CSV - All documents as a ZIP file - Client communications as PDF Go to Settings → Data Export to download everything. We believe in no lock-in - if CPA Hub isn't right for you, leaving should be easy.

Clients access their portal in 3 easy steps: 1. You send an invitation - Click "Invite to Portal" on any client profile 2. They get an email - With a secure link to set up their account 3. They log in - Using email and password they create No app download required - it works in any web browser. Clients can upload documents, view shared files, sign documents, and message you securely.

The client portal lets your clients: ✅ Upload documents - Drag and drop directly to you ✅ View shared files - See documents you've shared with them ✅ E-sign documents - Sign engagement letters, consents, and other documents ✅ Send messages - Secure communication (no email needed) ✅ Pay invoices - If you send invoices through CPA Hub ✅ Complete questionnaires - Tax organizers and intake forms Everything in one place - no more hunting through emails.

Not by typed e-signature — and here is exactly what that does and does not cost you. The IRS requires knowledge-based authentication before a taxpayer can e-sign Form 8879 remotely: an identity quiz built from credit-bureau data, with the passed result retained for three years (Publication 1345). CPA Hub does not do KBA, so we do not offer it. What we do support is the route most firms already run. Your client signs the 8879 by hand and returns it through the portal. The IRS is explicit that a handwritten signature returned by website, email or mail is not a remote electronic signature, so no KBA applies and no identity check is required. Retain it for three years and transmit — that is the whole obligation. What KBA would have given you, honestly: a retained third-party identity check on a signature nobody watched happen. That is a real thing and we will not pretend otherwise. If your practice wants it, your tax software almost certainly sells it — from tax year 2026 Intuit includes unlimited signatures with KBA free in Lacerte, ProSeries and ProConnect, and Drake and UltraTax have their own. The 8879 comes out of your tax program and the signed authorization has to go back to it before the e-file goes, so KBA belongs there rather than here. What CPA Hub gives you instead: the signed form lands in the client's file rather than in an inbox, stamped with the staff member who logged it, next to the engagement letter, the §7216 consents and the rest of the year's evidence. Everything other than the 8879 — engagement letters, consents, organizers, authorizations — signs electronically here as normal, and none of those require KBA.

Yes! The client portal is fully mobile-responsive. Clients can: - Take photos of documents with their phone camera - Upload directly from their photo library - View and sign documents on mobile No app required - it all works in the mobile browser. Perfect for clients who want to snap a quick photo of a W-2.

CPA Hub makes document requests simple: Option 1: Quick Request Click "Request Documents" on a client profile, select what you need, and send. Client gets an email notification. Option 2: Use Missing Doc Suggestions AI identifies likely missing documents. One click turns a suggestion into a request. Option 3: Send a Checklist Create a custom document checklist and send it to your client's portal. Clients see outstanding requests when they log in, with clear instructions on what to upload.

CPA Hub is priced on how many clients your firm serves — not on how many staff logins you need. Every plan includes unlimited users. Starter — $79/month - Up to 50 clients - Unlimited team members Growth — $159/month - Up to 150 clients - Unlimited team members Pro — $329/month - Up to 250 clients - Unlimited team members Every paid plan includes the full product: the WISP and FTC Safeguards compliance module, AI document extraction, client portal, e-signatures, document management, and billing. No per-seat charges. No add-on modules. Charging per login would push small firms to share credentials, which breaks the per-person access controls and training records the Safeguards Rule expects — so we don't.

Yes - a 14-day free trial. No credit card, and no limit on how many clients you add during it. The trial includes the practice-management side of CPA Hub: clients, documents, the client portal, e-signatures, AI document extraction, invoicing and payments, and unlimited team members. Use it with real clients and real documents. The WISP and FTC Safeguards module is not included in the trial. You get a working demo of it, populated with sample data, so you can see exactly what it produces before you buy. Building, adopting and exporting your firm's own plan starts when you subscribe. After 14 days, you'll be prompted to choose a plan to continue.

Yes - no contracts, no cancellation fees. Monthly subscribers: Cancel anytime, access continues until end of billing period. Annual subscribers: Cancel anytime, access continues until end of your year. We offer prorated refunds within the first 60 days if you're not satisfied. To cancel, go to Settings → Billing → Cancel Subscription. You can export all your data before leaving.

We accept all major payment methods: - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover - Debit cards - ACH bank transfer (annual plans only) All payments processed securely through Stripe. We never see or store your full card number.

Everything is included. No add-ons. No surprises. Your subscription includes: ✅ Unlimited team members — we never charge per seat ✅ Clients up to your plan's limit (50 on Starter, 150 on Growth, 250 on Pro) ✅ Unlimited documents ✅ Unlimited storage ✅ All AI features ✅ Client portal (unlimited client users) ✅ E-signatures ✅ Secure file sharing ✅ Workflows & projects ✅ Time tracking ✅ Invoicing ✅ Ask CPA Hub AI assistant We believe in simple pricing. One plan, all features.

We offer multiple support channels: 1. Ask CPA Hub (Instant) Click the Ask CPA Hub button for instant AI-powered answers to common questions. 2. Email Support Email [email protected] - we respond within 24 hours (usually much faster). 3. Knowledge Base Browse our help articles and tutorials at help.cpa-hub.com 4. Founder Direct For urgent issues during your first 30 days, you can reach Jim (founder) directly at [email protected] We're a small team that actually cares. You'll never get lost in a ticket queue.

Yes! You can invite unlimited team members. Adding a team member: 1. Go to Settings → Team 2. Click "Invite Team Member" 3. Enter their email and set their role Roles available: - Admin - Full access to everything - Staff - Access to clients and documents, no billing - Preparer - Limited to assigned clients only Each team member gets their own login. All actions are logged for accountability.

If you're logged out: 1. Go to the login page 2. Click "Forgot Password" 3. Enter your email 4. Check your inbox for reset link 5. Create new password If you're logged in: 1. Go to Settings → Security 2. Click "Change Password" 3. Enter current and new password For security, password reset links expire after 1 hour. If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder.

Yes! We want you to succeed. Self-Service: - Video tutorials (2-3 minutes each) - Knowledge base articles - Ask CPA Hub for instant guidance Personal Help: - Email support for any questions - Screen share sessions available for complex setups - Migration assistance for firms switching platforms We also offer optional one-on-one onboarding calls for firms that want hands-on setup help. Just ask!

When you cancel: During your remaining subscription period: - Full access continues - Download/export anything you need After subscription ends: - Account becomes read-only for 30 days - You can still log in and export data - No new uploads or changes allowed After 30 days: - Data scheduled for deletion - We'll email you a reminder before deletion - Contact support if you need more time We never hold your data hostage. Export everything before you go.