Put it into a real working day
List the client-money controls your practice must meet and verify them independently. Use the site to evaluate ordinary client billing; do not rely on this page as evidence of a specialist trust ledger or compliance.
Describe the business situation precisely
Is the payment an advance for your own future work, a refundable deposit or money held for another purpose? Record the facts and the agreement without deciding the accounting treatment from a label in software. Different situations can require different handling, and this article does not determine that treatment.
Bring the right person into the decision
Ask the professional responsible for your accounting or legal requirements which records, approvals and controls are needed. Prepare a short example with the payment, intended use and possible refund. That gives the discussion a concrete starting point without relying on a generic claim that an ERP is compliant everywhere.
Check the actual workflow and records
Inspect the specific receipt, retainer or project flow available in the proposed workspace. Confirm what it creates and how it appears in the ledger. A field called retainer does not by itself prove a segregated bank arrangement, correct client-money handling or a statutory reconciliation process.
Keep AI away from unsupported assurances
AI can help format the questions for your adviser or summarize facts you provide. It should not invent legal requirements or declare a proposed arrangement compliant. Keep professional review separate from drafting assistance.
Decide on fit using evidence
If a required control cannot be demonstrated, treat it as an unresolved requirement rather than adapting your obligations to the software. TerminalERP’s public pages describe available workflows with limits; they do not promise regulated trust-accounting suitability for every professional service or jurisdiction.
A practical checklist for your next working week
Write down the agreement and purpose of the payment. Get the required treatment and controls reviewed. Inspect the exact software records and handovers. Resolve essential gaps before relying on the workflow.
Related guides
Before your next review
- Verify required client-money treatment and controls with the responsible professional.
- Use this article to evaluate a software workflow, not as legal or tax advice.
- Inspect agreements, payment records, ledger entries and required controls together.
- Generated AI text does not provide professional approval.
- Resolve essential control requirements before relying on a workflow.
Choose your next step
Read the related task guide, or ask us a question about the workflow your business needs.