Use the "Firm Setup" dialog to set up or edit existing firm information.  To access this dialog, go to Setup > Firm(s) from the menu items.

The dialog presents a table with the existing firms listed; the fields displayed are Number, Firm Name, Contact, EFIN, DCN and Bank.  To view all details for a specific firm, double-click Firm Name in the table.

If no firm exists, the toolbar menu of Firm Setup is disabled and firm data entry fields are disabled for input.


Note

Provide as much information as possible when adding a new firm or editing an existing firm. The application uses the information, collected here, for e-filing, return calculation, fee calculation, and tax return information. Fields required for a successful e-filing are labeled using red text.


E-file Confirmation (Required)  

Enter the EFIN associated to the e-filing process, click Confirm. You must receive a successful acknowledgement before you can E-file returns. You are approved to e-file.

General Information

    • Firm Name – Enter the firm's name. (Required for e-filing)
    • Address – Enter the firm's address. (Required for e-filing)
    • City, St ZIP – Enter the city, state and ZIP code. (Required for e-filing)
    • Foreign Address – Enter foreign address information as needed.
    • Contact Name – Enter the firm's main e-filing contact person. (Required for e-filing)
    • Telephone Number – Enter the firm's 10-digit telephone number.  (Required for e-filing)
    • Fax Number – Enter the firm's 10-digit fax number. (Required for e-filing).
    • Email Address – Enter the firm's email address. (Required for e-filing)
    • Federal EIN – Enter the firm's Federal Employer Identification Number.  The EIN is an IRS-assigned number. (Required for e-filing)
    • State ID Number – Enter the firm's State Identification Number.  The State ID Number is a state’s Department of Revenue assigned number, and is an optional field.
    • DCN Serial Number – The DCN Serial Number is a unique number assigned to each tax return based on the firm's EFIN and DCN.  The DCN is automatically incremented each time a new return is calculated in order to avoid multiple DCNs being assigned to different tax returns. If two different tax returns have the same DCN, the IRS rejects one of the tax returns.
    • Enable Automatic Invoice Numbering – Check the box and enter your beginning invoice number. This feature generates an invoice number on the bill, when selected. The invoice number begins with the number entered during setup or editing, and increases by one for each new invoice.


Non-Paid Prep – If the firm is not a paid preparer, enter the non-paid code.

    • IP = IRS-PREPARED
    • IR = IRS-REVIEWED


Banking Information

When entering bank information, remember that once an amount is set for bank application fees, and a bank application has been created, the amount cannot be changed. The banks closely monitor the amounts charged for application fees.  Changing these fees mid-season is not acceptable. Any amount can be entered for the application fees when setting up a new firm.

There are two options for entering banking information: Automatic and Manual. You can manually type in your banking information or you can allow the software to automatically retrieve the information that you filled in on your online Drake Bank Application. By allowing Drake to automatically retrieve your information, you can avoid a mismatch of information between your Drake Software set-up screens and your bank application (which can result in a failed e-filing of returns with bank products).


Automatic

To successfully retrieve your information:

    • A completed Drake Bank Application (this application is found on the Drake Support website).
    • Complete the EFIN, Account Number and e-File Password fields on the ERO & Account Information setup screen.
    • Complete the EFIN field on the Firm screen.

 

Clicking the Confirm button will auto-fill your bank setup information from your online Drake Bank Application.  To modify your bank setup, you must update your Drake Bank Application online at eom.drakesoftware.com and then click the Confirm button. A link to the Drake Enterprise Office Manager is provided on the setup screen.


Manual

Select the bank the firm uses for bank products from the Select Bank drop list. After selecting the desired bank, that bank's available products appear below. Enter the amount the firm charges for preparing the application for each type of bank product.   

Deleting a Firm

Only the Admin (Administrator) or a member of an administrative security group have access to delete a firm.  To delete a firm, select the firm in the list, and then click Delete Firm. A deletion confirmation message appears.  Click Yes.

 

Note

Firm 1 cannot be deleted. However, you can edit the information as needed.


 
Printing a List of Firms

To print a list with each firm's name, address, EFIN, and DCN, click Print. The firm list appears in the Report Viewer