Welcome to Bookkeeping on AtlasOS
AtlasOS is purpose-built for bookkeeping practices that manage recurring monthly processing cycles, VAT compliance, and payroll obligations across a client base. The Bookkeeping Practice vertical provides a structured workspace for everything from source document collection through to management account delivery.
What the Bookkeeping vertical delivers
- Monthly Processing Workflows -- Structured task templates for the full bookkeeping cycle: document collection, transaction capture, bank reconciliation, management accounts, review, and delivery
- VAT & Payroll Compliance -- Auto-generated compliance calendar entries for VAT201, PAYE/EMP201, UIF, and EMP501 obligations
- Document Collection -- Client portal with automated reminders for source documents, plus Smart Inbox routing of emailed bank statements and invoices
- Time & Billing -- Track time against recurring bookkeeping engagements, generate monthly invoices, and monitor WIP
- AI Agents -- Atlas Chat for transaction queries, reconciliation assistance, and document classification
Enabled modules
The following modules are active by default when you select Bookkeeping Practice during onboarding:
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
smart_inbox | Gmail integration with AI triage and routing |
tasks | Task board with checklists, assignments, and deadlines |
compliance_calendar | Obligation tracking per entity with template support |
client_portal | Secure client-facing document exchange |
time_tracking | Timesheets and rate configuration |
billing | Invoicing, payments, and WIP management |
reports_mgmt | Management account packs and report delivery |
payroll_obligations | PAYE, UIF, and SDL tracking |
contracts | Engagement letter generation and tracking |
onboarding_forms | Client intake questionnaires |
chat | Internal team messaging |
ai_agents | Atlas Chat and AI advisory tools |
Compliance bodies and obligation types
The Bookkeeping Practice vertical is configured for two compliance bodies:
SARS (South African Revenue Service)
| Obligation Type | Description |
|---|---|
VAT_EFILING | VAT201 returns via eFiling |
PAYE_FILING | Monthly EMP201 payroll tax submissions |
PAYE_PAYMENT | Monthly PAYE payment deadlines |
EMP501_ANNUAL | Employer annual reconciliation |
DOL (Department of Labour)
| Obligation Type | Description |
|---|---|
UIF_MONTHLY | Monthly UIF contribution returns |
Supported entity types
Company, Close Corporation (CC), Individual, and Sole Proprietor.
Default landing view
The Bookkeeping Practice vertical opens on the Tasks view by default, giving you immediate visibility into the current month's processing cycle across all clients.
Getting started in five steps
- Create your practice -- Sign up and select Bookkeeping Practice as your firm type during the onboarding wizard.
- Import your clients -- Use the entity import tool to upload your client base with SARS tax reference numbers, VAT registration numbers, and financial year-end dates.
- Set VAT periods -- Configure each client's VAT submission frequency (monthly or bimonthly) and their financial year-end.
- Configure task templates -- Set up recurring monthly processing templates with checklists for your standard bookkeeping cycle.
- Connect Gmail -- Link your practice email in the Smart Inbox settings for automatic triage and routing of client correspondence.
Focus areas for bookkeeping practices
Unlike tax-only practices, bookkeeping practices typically focus on:
- Recurring monthly cycles rather than annual return preparation
- Source document management as the primary client interaction point
- VAT and payroll compliance as the core regulatory obligations
- Management accounts as the primary deliverable to clients
The task board and compliance calendar are designed to support this cyclical, month-on-month workflow pattern.
Shared platform features
Many features in AtlasOS work identically across all practice types. For detailed documentation on shared modules, refer to the Accounting docs:
Also handling tax returns? If your practice prepares income tax returns or manages provisional tax, see the Tax docs for SARS compliance workflows.