# Set up and use a firm workspace

Register a firm, request client connections, and assign named accountants to approved clients.

Canonical: https://demo.qixcount.com/help/people-and-security/firm-workspace

Who can do this: Anyone can register a firm; firm owners manage clients; assigned active members open approved books

You'll need: For client access: business-owner approval, active firm membership, a named assignment and two-step verification

## Register a firm account

If you already have an account, sign in and select **Accounting firms** from your businesses page. Select **Open firm** beside an existing firm, or continue with creating the firm below.

1. Open the firm registration page at `/firms/register`.
2. Enter **Your full name**.
3. Enter your **Work email**.
4. Create a **Password**.
5. Repeat it in **Confirm password**.
6. Accept the terms and privacy acknowledgment.
7. Complete the verification challenge if one appears.
8. Select **Create account & secure access**.
9. Complete [two-step verification](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/people-and-security/two-step-verification).
10. Save your recovery codes.

## Create the firm

1. In **My firms**, enter the **Firm name**.
2. Select **Create free firm workspace**.

Two-step verification is required whenever you enter the firm portal. Firm creation makes you the firm owner.

## Request a client connection

1. Ask the business owner for their workspace link from **Settings**, **People & access**, **Accounting firm**.
2. In your firm, find **Request client access**.
3. Enter the **Client’s workspace link or identifier**.
4. Select **Request connection**.

Use the exact workspace dashboard link from the same QixCount site, or its workspace identifier. A link to another page is rejected. The client owner must [approve the connection](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/people-and-security/connect-an-accounting-firm).

## Assign a named accountant

1. Find the approved business under **Client businesses**.
2. Choose an active firm member in **Assign named colleague**.
3. Select **Assign to this client**.

The firm owner also needs a named assignment to open a client’s books through this connection. A person who already belongs to the business cannot be converted from an internal user to a free adviser by assignment.

Use **Open assigned client books** to enter a client. Staff see only their approved, assigned clients; owners see all firm connections. Staff cannot request connections or manage firm billing.

| Connection status | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| Awaiting owner approval | The request is waiting for the client owner. |
| Approved | Named staff assignments can grant access. |
| Revoked | Access and assignments through the connection have ended. |

Next, [invite firm colleagues](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/people-and-security/join-a-firm) or [review consolidated billing](https://demo.qixcount.com/help/people-and-security/firm-billing).

## Good to know

The firm workspace gathers approved client businesses. The portal and approved named accountant access are free; clients keep separate books and subscriptions. The portal does not include your firm’s own company books or a subscription discount.