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How to set up and use Key Dates

Understand how to configure Key Dates in GoProposal to include start dates, deadlines, and filing dates in your Engagement Letter.

Written by Russell Henderson

The Key Dates feature helps you manage compliance, reduce risk, and set clear expectations with clients. It allows you to define start dates, information deadlines, and filing dates for each service. The system automatically pulls these dates through to your engagement letter when creating proposals.

Why use Key Dates?

  • Manage liability: Communicate when you take responsibility for each service

  • Set client expectations: Define deadlines for providing information to avoid delays

  • Prevent missed filings: Share filing dates with all stakeholders to avoid penalties

How Key Dates work

Once configured, Key Dates automatically appear in your Engagement Letter when creating proposals. You can override dates at the proposal stage if needed.

Step 1 - Pre-define Key Dates in line items

  1. Go to Configure and select Line Items.

  2. Click Edit Line for the service you want to update.

  3. In the Contents tab, scroll to Key Dates and toggle it on.

  4. Define:

    • Start date (for example, the start of the financial year for annual accounts)

    • Deadline for all information

    • Filing date

  5. Click Save Line Item.

📌 TIP: For services like VAT or payroll with different frequencies, create separate line items for accuracy.

Examples of Key Dates setups

Monthly Management Accounts

  • Use text fields to enter specific information manually

  • This allows flexibility for unique deadlines or notes

Payroll

  • If you manage both monthly and weekly payroll, create separate line items for each frequency

  • This ensures accurate deadlines and filing dates

VAT Returns

  • The system automatically sets statutory filing periods based on the return frequency

  • If you offer monthly, quarterly, and annual VAT returns, create separate line items for each type

Confirmation Statement

  • Use client-specified date fields for flexibility

  • Examples include Next statement date or Company anniversary

  • Enter the exact date when completing the proposal details

Why do Payroll and VAT show TBC under Filing Deadlines?

  • The system needs payroll frequency and VAT period details to calculate filing deadlines

  • You'll usually confirm these details during proposal completion

How to update TBC fields:

  1. For payroll, select the frequency and pay run day from the drop-down menus.

  2. For VAT, define the VAT period.

  3. The Key Dates table updates automatically.

  4. Review and confirm the dates before finalising the proposal.

Step 2 - Create a proposal to pull through Key Dates

  1. When creating a proposal, Key Dates for each service will populate automatically.

  2. You can:

    • Edit individual dates by clicking Edit next to the service

    • Switch off the Key Dates table using the Display Key Dates Table toggle

  3. For services like VAT or payroll, select frequency and relevant dates during proposal completion.

Step 3 - Preview your Engagement Letter

Scroll to the Engagement Letter preview to check the Key Dates table before sending it to your client.

Step 4 - Customise Key Dates headings and introduction

  1. Go to Configure and select Engagement Letters.

  2. Select the Key Dates tab.

  3. Edit the introductory text for the Key Dates table.

  4. Overwrite column headings such as Deadline for all information or Filing deadline.

See also

Create a proposal

How to edit Key Dates introductory text and table headings

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