Migrating to Fosti.

Most firms are live and running their first compliance cycle within one week of onboarding. Here's exactly what that looks like - from day one through your first closed cycle.

The migration process

1. 1
   Configure your firm profile

   Set up your white-label configuration - your firm name, subdomain (e.g. tax.yourfirm.com), logo, and brand colors. Configure your email domain so all platform communications come from your address. Invite your team and assign roles (Admin, Senior Reviewer, Staff/Preparer).

   • Takes approximately 20–30 minutes
   • Your Fosti onboarding specialist walks you through this on day one
2. 2
   Import your client list

   Add your active clients one by one or via bulk import. For each client, you'll configure their nexus profile - which states they're registered in, filing frequencies, and any existing registrations. Your existing Vertex or Avalara client data can be exported and mapped directly.

   • A standard 15-client book takes 2–3 hours to fully configure
   • We provide a pre-built import template to speed this up
3. 3
   Load historical context

   Enter prior-period figures for each client so the worksheet can populate accurate carryforward amounts and prior-period comparisons in your first cycle. You don't need to enter full history - just the most recent completed period is sufficient to start.

   • Required for accurate variance flags in month one
   • Our team can assist with data mapping from existing spreadsheets
4. 4
   Set up the filing calendar

   Review the auto-populated filing calendar for each client. Fosti pre-loads standard state deadlines and adjusts for filing frequencies. Confirm or override any non-standard deadlines - quarterly filers, annual states, or prepayment jurisdictions.

   • Deadlines are pre-loaded for all 50 states
   • Custom deadlines can be set per client per state
5. 5
   Activate your client portals

   Each client gets access to their white-labeled portal - your domain, your brand. Send activation invitations directly from Fosti. Clients can log in via password or passwordless email link. Walk through the portal with one pilot client before sending to your full book.

   • Activation email is branded and sent from your domain
   • Passwordless option reduces client friction significantly
6. 6
   Run your first cycle

   On the 1st working day of the month, Fosti automatically opens a new compliance cycle for every active client. Send data requests, receive uploads, work through the worksheet, get senior sign-off, and close - all in one workspace. Your team and your onboarding specialist run through this together for the first cycle.

   • First cycle is a guided run with your Fosti specialist
   • Audit package is auto-generated on cycle close
7. 7
   Deprecate the old workflow

   After your first successful cycle, the spreadsheets and email threads can go. Your team will have seen first-hand how the structured workflow replaces the old coordination overhead. Most firms stop using their old tools completely within 30 days.

   • Keep old spreadsheets in Document Management as archived records
   • Export all Fosti data at any time - no lock-in

Common questions