Use this step-by-step guide to install and customize Practice CS.

Required

You need to complete the following setup steps to use Practice CS. We recommend following these steps in order. 

Step 1: Install Practice CS and configure your environment

Have you completed the steps to get started by creating your web account and converting your data? If so, you're ready to install Practice CS!

1. For installation and system setup instructions and best practices, see the Practice CS Installation Toolkit.
2. Microsoft Outlook integrates heavily with Practice CS. If you use Outlook, configure it according to the Microsoft Office Guidelines for CS Professional Suite. If you do not use Outlook, you will see an Outlook error message when you open Practice CS. To disable Outlook integration and stop the Outlook errors, see How to disable the Microsoft Outlook interface.

Step 2: Open Practice CS and choose a firm database

Use these steps to open the program for the first time and get ready to set up your data.

1. When you open Practice CS, you need to choose a database to open. If you like, you can required a staff ID and password to open your firm's database. The first time you open Practice CS, you have to open the Sample database using ADMIN as the Staff ID. The Sample database comes with data and templates as an example for you to interact with; you cannot use the Sample database or import/export items from the Sample database. For more information, see Opening a firm database
2. If you did not convert data, we recommend starting with the Setup database. The Setup database comes with common activities, engagements, projects, that you can use to get started with your firm. If you want to start with the Setup database, see How to restore the Setup database. If you want to start with a blank database, see How to create a new database.

Step 3: Configure your setup within Practice CS

Set up your firm

You need to add firm information like contact information and firm preferences. Complete each section in the Firm setup overview

Set up your staff and assign permissions

You need to add your staff members and, if you enabled firm security (recommended), assign privileges to areas of Practice. Complete each section in Staff setup overview.

Set up your work

You need to add templates and categories to track your work in Practice CS.

1. Add engagement templates
2. Add activities
3. If you are licensed for Project Management, add project templates. We recommend that you import default projects; see Importing default project templates for instructions.

Set up your clients

You need to add your clients and assign templates to them. 

1. Add clients to Practice CS. You can add clients in the following ways.
   • Manually: Setting up clients
   • If you are licensed for UltraTax CS and have UltraTax clients: Populating Client Information from UltraTax CS to Practice CS
   • If you are looking for another option, contact your Sales Representative
2. Add engagements to your clients, if you haven't already: Setting up engagements for a client

Best Practices

The following items are recommended best practices, but are not required.

• Enable firm security: This allows you to grant or deny access for staff to certain areas of Practice CS and secures Practice CS behind a Staff ID and password. You can turn this on in Setup > Firm > Preferences tab. Once you enable firm security, see Best practices for setting up security.
• Enter beginning balances

Other useful links/resources

Application setup overview

Importing a custom format from the Practice CS Library

Video: Practice CS Project Management Module

Video Library

Trial licenses for add-on modules

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