Monthly bookkeeping documents to request from clients
Ask for complete bank and card statements, sales and expense records, and any payroll or payment processor reports for the month. Select the items that apply, enter the reporting dates in your request and paste in the client upload link. Repeat for each entity you work with.
Documents to ask for each month
Bookkeepers and accounting firms collecting documents for a monthly close
- 01
Bank statements for each business account
List the operating, savings and other accounts that were active during the month. Ask for all statement pages, even when the account had no transactions.
Format: Complete bank-issued PDF for each account
DocAsker checks: Check the account label, opening and closing dates and whether all pages are present.
- 02
Business credit card statements
Name each card or card account and include cards used for business expenses. If statements close mid-month, ask for the files that cover the full period.
Format: Complete statement PDF for each card account
DocAsker checks: Check for date gaps and confirm the statement belongs to the requested card.
- 03
Sales invoices and credit notes
Ask for invoices and credits raised during the month, including corrections. Specify how the client should identify any documents you already receive through your shared system.
Format: Invoice PDFs or a report agreed with the firm
DocAsker checks: Confirm the month and entity and check that cancellations and credit notes are included.
- 04
Supplier bills and expense receipts
Ask for itemized evidence of expenses during the month. For a receipt that needs context, have the client add a short business purpose separately.
Format: Original PDF or readable scan
DocAsker checks: Check the supplier, transaction date, amount and all line items.
- 05
Payment processor settlement reports
Request each processor’s report showing payouts, fees, refunds and chargebacks. Include all accounts that pay into the business bank accounts.
Format: Statement PDF or agreed settlement report
DocAsker checks: Check that the payout dates and amounts can be matched to bank deposits.
- 06
Payroll summary and adjustments
Ask for a summary for each payroll run in the month, including adjustments, if you handle payroll entries. Request employee-level detail only when needed for the work.
Format: Payroll system report for the requested month
DocAsker checks: Check the pay dates and reporting period. Keep access limited to staff who need payroll files.
This checklist is a starting point. Requirements vary by country, authority and case, so confirm the current list before you send it.
- How to request bank statements from accounting clients
- How to organize client documents in your firm
- Year-end bookkeeping documents to request from clients
Customize and copy this checklist
Choose the documents you need, then copy a checklist or client email.
Client email preview
Subject: Documents requested by [Firm name] Hello [Client name], Please prepare the documents listed below. 1. Bank statements for each business account (Complete bank-issued PDF for each account) List the operating, savings and other accounts that were active during the month. Ask for all statement pages, even when the account had no transactions. 2. Business credit card statements (Complete statement PDF for each card account) Name each card or card account and include cards used for business expenses. If statements close mid-month, ask for the files that cover the full period. 3. Sales invoices and credit notes (Invoice PDFs or a report agreed with the firm) Ask for invoices and credits raised during the month, including corrections. Specify how the client should identify any documents you already receive through your shared system. 4. Supplier bills and expense receipts (Original PDF or readable scan) Ask for itemized evidence of expenses during the month. For a receipt that needs context, have the client add a short business purpose separately. 5. Payment processor settlement reports (Statement PDF or agreed settlement report) Request each processor’s report showing payouts, fees, refunds and chargebacks. Include all accounts that pay into the business bank accounts. 6. Payroll summary and adjustments (Payroll system report for the requested month) Ask for a summary for each payroll run in the month, including adjustments, if you handle payroll entries. Request employee-level detail only when needed for the work. Upload your documents by [Deadline] at [Client upload link]. If you cannot provide an item, reply so we can agree on what to send. Thank you, [Firm name]
Set up a monthly request the client can repeat
Name the month and each account
For March 2026, put March 1 to March 31, 2026 on the request and on items that need date checks. Separate the operating account from the card account so the right file goes in the right place.
Check for changes since last month
Ask about new accounts, payment processors, payroll changes or accounts that closed. Leave a short note when an item does not apply.
Give review time before close
Set the upload deadline far enough ahead for your team to review files and request replacements. Check the current request before sending a reminder.
Copy the monthly document request email
Documents for [business] bookkeeping, [month and year]
Hi [first name], Please upload the documents for [start date] to [end date] by [deadline]: [upload link] - Complete statements for [bank accounts] - Complete statements for [card accounts] - Sales invoices, credit notes, supplier bills and receipts for the period - [processor settlement reports and payroll summaries if applicable] If you opened or closed an account, changed payment processors or had no payroll this month, reply with a quick note. Thanks, [your name]
Frequently asked questions
What should a bookkeeping client send every month?
Start with bank and card statements, sales invoices and credits, and bills and receipts. Add processor settlement reports, payroll summaries and other records relevant to the agreed work.
Should a client send two statements if the card closes mid-month?
Ask for the documents needed to cover every day in the reporting period. A card statement ending on the 15th may need the next statement alongside it.
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DocAsker sends this checklist as one link, checks every upload on arrival and reminds your client until it is complete.