Customer Onboarding Checklist
A consistent onboarding checklist stops new credit customers slipping through with missing details — it is the difference between a clean, recoverable account and a name with no entity behind it.
What's included
- A complete onboarding sequence from enquiry to first order
- The documents and verifications to complete before credit is live
- Where to record limits, terms and contacts
- How to hand the account over to day-to-day accounts staff
6 min read
Why onboarding needs a checklist
New accounts are opened in a hurry — a salesperson wants to ship, a customer wants stock. That is exactly when entity details get fudged, references go unchecked and limits get set on a hunch. A checklist makes the process the same every time, no matter who is busy.
It also creates a clean file from day one, so if the account ever defaults you are not scrambling for the basics. Work through the steps below in order.
The onboarding checklist
- Signed credit application received and complete
- Legal entity confirmed on ABN Lookup and ASIC registers
- Terms of trade provided and acceptance captured
- Both trade references contacted and noted
- Credit check completed (if limit warrants it)
- Personal/director guarantee obtained if required
- Credit limit set and recorded against the account
- PPSR registration lodged if you retain title
- Account created in your accounting system with correct entity name
- Payment terms and limit entered so they enforce on order
- Accounts payable contact and authorised orderers recorded
- Welcome/confirmation sent stating terms, limit and how to pay
- File saved with all signed documents
How to use it
Attach this checklist to every new-account file and do not release the first credit order until every applicable box is ticked. Tie it to your new account approval checklist so approval and onboarding are one smooth flow.
Model what a slow payer at the new limit would cost your cash flow with the Merion tools before you finalise the number. Keep the completed checklist on file as evidence the account was opened properly.
This is general business information, not legal advice. Have your terms, guarantees and onboarding documents reviewed by a lawyer.
Tips
- Confirm the legal entity before anything ships — names and ABNs must match.
- Do not release the first credit order until the checklist is complete.
- Record limit, terms and contacts in your system so they enforce automatically.
- Keep the completed checklist and signed documents in the account file.
FAQ
Can I skip onboarding steps for small orders?
Scale the depth to the limit, but never skip entity confirmation and terms acceptance — those protect you regardless of order size.
Who should own onboarding?
Whoever approves credit. Keep it out of the hands of the salesperson who closed the deal to avoid pressure to cut corners.
How long should onboarding take?
Most accounts can be onboarded within a day once the application and references are in. Larger limits warranting a credit check take longer.
Templates are a head start — not legal advice
Customise to your business and have important documents reviewed. Need to recover a debt? We can help.