Sign up to CoPilot

This article explains how to view a CoPilot accountant’s package proposal and sign up to CoPilot.

CoPilot is an innovative way of working with an accountant through FreeAgent to help simplify your business accounting and give you peace of mind. For an agreed monthly fee, you can choose an expert FreeAgent partner accountant who suits your business needs and then work with them directly within your FreeAgent account.

Once you’ve found an accountant that you’re happy with and sent them an enquiry, they’ll organise a time to speak with you about your needs, how your business works and how you’d like them to help. You may also discuss additional accounting work that’s required beyond the scope of the CoPilot service.

If an accountant is able to provide the services you're looking for, they'll send you a package proposal. You can view their package proposal and work with them to agree which services will make up the final unique package for your business. When you’re ready, you can accept their proposal and sign up with CoPilot.

Viewing a CoPilot accountant’s package proposal

Navigate to the drop-down menu under your business name and select ‘Connections & Add-ons’.

Next, select ‘Go to proposals’ in the ‘CoPilot’ section.

You'll be taken to the ‘Enquiries’ tab and you'll see a banner showing the number of package proposals.

Select ‘View proposal’ for the accountant whose package proposal you want to view.

Review the CoPilot proposal, including the terms and conditions, and any additional one-off services you and the CoPilot accountant may have discussed.

Signing up to CoPilot

If you’re happy to work with the accountant, you’ll need to confirm your CoPilot purchase within FreeAgent.

Once you’re happy with all the details in the package proposal, tick the checkbox next to ‘I agree to the CoPilot terms and conditions’ and the checkbox next to 'I agree to FreeAgent receiving a fee for referral and administration of CoPilot'.

Finally, select ‘Sign up to CoPilot’ to complete the process.

Great job! You’re ready to start working with your CoPilot accountant. FreeAgent will notify the other accountants that you messaged to let them know you’re no longer interested in working with them at this time.

You’ll be able to see details of the agreed package proposal in the CoPilot area of your account. Any changes to the price or services should be spoken about with your accountant. Read about how to manage your CoPilot package.

How will payment for your CoPilot subscription be taken?

If you have a direct subscription

If you're a ‘direct’ subscriber to FreeAgent (i.e. your FreeAgent account is not provided by your bank), a pro-rata payment for your CoPilot subscription will be taken from the point you sign up to CoPilot, up to your next FreeAgent subscription payment date. After this, the agreed monthly subscription charge will be added to your usual subscription amount and taken each month for as long as you subscribe to the CoPilot service. If you pay for FreeAgent annually, you’ll be billed each month for CoPilot, separately from your annual subscription.

If your FreeAgent account is provided by your bank

If you have a FreeAgent account that’s funded by NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle, and haven't subscribed to either FreeAgent's Amazon integration or Smart Capture feature, you’ll be prompted to enter your payment details and the payment for your CoPilot subscription will begin on the date you subscribe to CoPilot.

If your FreeAgent account is provided by your bank and you have subscribed to either Amazon or Smart Capture, payment for your CoPilot subscription will be taken on the same date as your Amazon and/or Smart Capture payment.

The CoPilot charge will be taken each month for as long as you subscribe to the CoPilot service.