Overview: A checklist template in Active Workpapers is a customisable list of tasks and compliance requirements that guides users through standardised workflows within record templates.
These templates are customised to ensure firm-wide consistency and regulatory compliance while controlling which checklist items appear based on entity types and date ranges.
For more information on how to customise checklist items within record templates, see the support article: How to customise an existing Business Fitness record template.
Please refer to the Glossary for definitions of key terms used in this article.
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Create checklist record templates
From the Admin Centre, click on Record Templates under the Workpapers banner.
The Active Platform ships with a standard set of record template recommendations as below.
To create a checklist record template, click + Add Record Template.
Scroll to the bottom and untick the checkbox to 'Attach worksheet to record'.
Scroll back up to the top and ensure the 'Active' checkbox is ticked. Give the checklist record template a reference, name, and description (if applicable), and change the record type to be Standalone Checklist.
Note: The System Role function is not used regularly and is for advanced administrator use.
Filters
Set the filters for where you want the record template to appear within the Active Platform.
FILTER | DESCRIPTION |
Always show | Will make this record template available within all types of binders, all the time. |
Entity types | If non-entity specific, leave as the default (as shown below). If not, select the entity type you wish the record to appear in. Note that the record will not appear in any other entity once a choice has been made. For example, any entity can have an amortising loan, and therefore this section would be left as the default. |
Binder types | This is where you select which binder you wish the record to appear in. For example, a loan amortisation schedule would only be added to the 'Accounts and Tax' binder so you would just select that one. |
Account types | The types of accounts where the record will show up. For example, the amortising loan is a form of borrowing. |
Categories | This is the section of the Workpaper binder where the record will show up in. For example, an amortising loan is a form of borrowing which can either be a current or non-current liability. |
Checklist items
Follow the steps under the 'Customise record template checklists' section above to add checklist items.
Note: We have created an Accounts & Tax Checklist available to all entities, allowing us to maintain just the one master checklist. This approach enables us to tailor checklist items for specific entities within the same record template, eliminating the need to create and manage separate checklists.
Once happy with the information, click Add.
Tip: To clone a checklist worksheet, right click anywhere on the checklist items and click Excel Export. This will generate an Excel document with all the checklist items on it so you can use the Import from Excel function to upload the checklist into a new worksheet.
Note: Consider the points below so you can effectively manage checklists in Active, improving efficiency and ensuring users have the necessary guidance for completing tasks.
Consider using descriptive titles and clear instructions for each checklist item
Utilise filters effectively to ensure checklists appear in the most relevant binders for your users
Regularly review and update your checklists to reflect any changes in processes or regulations.