Copying an Engagement

You can create a new engagement for a client by copying an existing engagement of the same tax entity type. Copying an existing engagement is ideal if you need to create a similar engagement or if you want to re-use information that is already set up.

Note: At this time, you cannot:

  • Copy a multi-tier consolidated engagement to create a new engagement.

Engagements can be copied from the same client or from a different client. If needed, you can change the period dates. You also have the option to copy the following from the original engagement:

  • Chart of accounts. The accounts and assignments to groups, sub-groups, and tax properties are copied, including both standard and custom financial and tax groups and sub-groups. Account balances are not copied.
  • Journal entries. All journal entries are copied. If you select to copy the chart of accounts, then the accounts listed in the journal entries will be retained. Debit and credit amounts are not copied.
  • Engagement Index folders and subfolders.These folders are copied even when workpapers are not selected to be copied. Workpapers within the folders are not copied.
  • Workpapers. All workpapers are copied, including the workpaper index and roll forward setting. Workpaper sign-offs, notes, and tags are not copied.
  • Workpaper references. Workpaper references that have been added in the trial balance are included in the new engagement if you select to copy the workpaper. Workpaper references in journal entries are retained in the new engagement if you choose to copy both journal entries and workpapers to the new engagement.

Note: If tax groups are not current in the source engagement, CCH iFirm Engagement prompts you to update the tax groups before you copy the engagement. If you choose to continue without updating the tax groups, the tax groups and account assignments will not be copied to the new engagement.

Use the procedure below to copy an existing engagement.

  1. Locate the engagement on the Engagement List page.
  2. Click in the Actions column for the engagement and select Copy.
  3. Select a different client, if needed.
  4. Enter an engagement name. The engagement name, ID and year-end date must be unique for a client.
  5. Enter the ID if needed, this field is optional.

  6. Enter the engagement description if needed, up to 32 characters. This field is optional.

  7. Enter the charge code if needed, up to 50 characters. This field is optional.

  8. Enter the due date if needed. This field is optional.

  9. Select the responsible staff if needed from the drop-down list. As you type, the staff list opens and filters based on the characters you type. This field is optional.

  10. Select a different year-end date, period start date, and period end date, if needed.
  11. Select the engagement type from the list.

    12. Note: The tax entity type and modules cannot be changed.

  1. Click Next.

  2. On the Options page, select the check box for each item you want to copy from the original engagement. See the information at the top of this topic for details about what is copied for each option.

    3. Note: If you exclude the chart of accounts from the copy, you must import the trial balance when you open the new engagement.

  3. Select Unlock workpapers in new engagement if you selected to copy workpapers and want the copied workpapers to be unlocked.

    4. Note: The option to unlock workpapers is only available in a Pro engagement (lock workpapers is only available in a Pro engagement).

  4. Click Next.

For Pro Module:

  1. Review the message on the Tax Groups page that indicates if tax groups were copied to the new engagement. If the tax groups in the source engagement are not current, you must choose either to continue without copying the tax groups and assignments, or to cancel the copy process so you can update the tax groups before copying.

    ClosedTell me more about when tax groups are copied to the new engagement.

    Tax groups are copied to the new engagement if current tax groups are available in the source engagement and one of the following is true:

    • The period start date is in the same year as the period start date for the source engagement.
    • The period start date is one year later than the period start date for the source engagement.
    • The period start date is more than one year later than the source engagement's period start date and tax groups are available for that later year.

    2. Note: The Send to Tax selections for tax groups are retained in the new engagement.

  2. Click Finish.