Getting Started with Rebased

Welcome to Rebased. This guide helps you set up your business and start using the platform.

Overview

Rebased offers two ways to get started. If you are migrating from another platform, you can either prepare ahead of a future go-live date or backdate your accounting start date and begin using Rebased now.

Choose the path that fits your situation. Both get you to the same place — a fully configured accounting system ready for invoicing, bills, and reporting.

Creating Your Account

How you create your Rebased account depends on how you got here:

Signing up yourself

1. Go to Sign Up, enter your email, password, and name.
2. Rebased sends a confirmation email. Click the link inside to verify your address.
3. Sign in and set up account security. You can choose a passkey or an authenticator app like 1Password, Authy, or Google Authenticator. If you choose an authenticator app, save the recovery codes somewhere safe.
4. Create your business — pick your region, enter your ABN (AU) and other details. When you verify your ABN, Rebased pre-fills your GST registration status and date from the Australian Business Register, which you can confirm or adjust.

Setting up as an accountant or bookkeeper

If you manage client businesses, sign up normally first. After signing in, open Personal Profile and choose Set up Rebased Firm. This enables firm access for your account, then takes you through the firm setup flow without requiring you to create your own business first.

See Rebased Firm for the advisor workflow.

Joining an existing business via an invitation

If an admin invited you to a business, the email contains a link like https://app.rebased.com/signup/invitation?token=…:

1. Click the link and set your password on the invitation signup page. Clicking the invite is proof your email is real, so Rebased does not ask you to confirm it a second time.
2. You are signed in automatically and taken straight to account security setup.
3. Once your passkey or authenticator app is set up, you land inside the business you were invited to — no business creation needed.

See Personal Profile → Password & MFA for how to change your password later, add passkeys, set up or reset account security, and recover access if you lose your phone.

Your First Steps

1. Choose Your Setup Path

The first task in your ToDo list asks you to choose Fresh Start or Migration. If you choose Migration, decide whether you are preparing for a future go-live date or backdating your accounting start date so you can start now.

Go to: Settings → Accounting

2. Complete the Setup Checklist

After choosing your path, work through the remaining tasks in your ToDo list:

• Business branding and details
• Payment terms and processing
• Bank account connection
• Adding clients and creating your first invoice

Note: All tasks are optional except choosing your setup path. You can skip any task and return later.

3. Start Using Rebased

Once your Chart of Accounts is set up (Step 1), you can immediately:

• Create quotes and invoices
• Add clients and suppliers
• Record bills and expenses
• View real-time reports

The setup tasks ensure your accounting is configured correctly so reports and bank reconciliation work properly.

Setup Paths in Detail

Path A: Fresh Start

Choose this if:

• You are a new business
• You have never used accounting software before
• You want a simple, instant setup

What happens:

1. Apply a region-specific template (around 90 accounts)
2. System accounts auto-detect (GST, Accounts Receivable, etc.)
3. Item defaults auto-populate
4. Ready to use immediately

See: Fresh Start Setup

Path B: Migration

Choose this if:

• You are moving from Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks
• You want to bring your existing chart of accounts
• You have outstanding invoices and bills to transfer

What happens:

1. Choose your migration timing: pre go-live setup or backdated migration
2. Set a conversion date (when Rebased starts as your accounting system)
3. Upload your Trial Balance (auto-extracted via OCR)
4. Confirm account mappings
5. Import outstanding invoices and bills
6. Start reconciling bank transactions from your conversion date

If you have employees, payroll can move on a clear pay-date handover. Payroll already processed in your old system stays there for STP and is reconciled in Rebased as external payroll accounting.

See:

• Migration Best Practice
• Migration from Other Systems

The ToDo List

Your setup tasks appear in your personal ToDo list Inbox. This approach:

• Gets you familiar with the ToDo list from day one
• Keeps setup non-blocking — work and complete tasks at your own pace
• Uses the same UI as personal tasks
• Provides rich guidance with full instructions

How It Works

• Click any task to open it and read the guide
• Mark tasks complete when done
• Some tasks complete automatically when you take action
• Add your own tasks and lists anytime

Task Categories

Quick Start Tips

You Can Use Rebased Immediately

Don’t wait for setup to finish. Once your Chart of Accounts is configured (Step 1), you can:

• Create and send invoices
• Add clients and suppliers
• Generate quotes
• View financial reports

Setup Is Non-Blocking

• Skip any task and return later
• No forced wizards or mandatory steps
• Work at your own pace
• Intelligence Assistant can help anytime

Progressive Disclosure

Rebased starts simple and reveals complexity as needed:

• Basic invoicing is straightforward
• Advanced features appear when relevant
• Settings available but not overwhelming

Common Questions

Do I need an accountant to set up?

No. Rebased templates and migration tools are designed for business owners to set up independently. However, consulting an accountant is recommended for complex migrations or if you’re unsure about opening balances.

What if I make a mistake during setup?

Most setup steps can be corrected later:

• Chart of Accounts can be modified anytime
• Linked accounts can be remapped
• Opening balances can be adjusted
• Migration can be re-run if needed

Can I change from Fresh Start to Migration later?

If you started with Fresh Start but later need to import historical data, contact support. Migration is easiest when done at the beginning.

What if I have multiple businesses?

Each business in Rebased has its own setup flow. Switch between businesses from the business selector and complete setup for each independently.

AU-Specific Notes

GST Registration

• Register for GST if turnover ≥ $75,000/year
• Your GST registration status and date are captured at signup (pre-filled from the ABR) and can be changed anytime in Settings → Company Details
• While unregistered, Rebased blocks GST on what you sell and tracks non-claimable GST on purchases separately; backdating a registration reclassifies past transactions automatically
• GST reporting is automatic once registered, with BAS preparation reports available
• See GST Registration for the full guide

Tax Codes

The AU template includes:

• GST (10%)
• GST-FREE (exports, basic food)
• EXEMPT (financial services, residential rent)
• INPUT (purchases with GST included)

System Accounts

Auto-detected accounts include:

• Accounts Receivable (1130)
• Accounts Payable (2110)
• GST Collected (2130)
• GST Paid (1160)
• Retained Earnings (3200)

Getting Help

During Setup

• ToDo list tasks — Step-by-step guides in each task
• Intelligence Assistant — Ask questions anytime
• Tooltips — Helpful hints throughout the interface

After Setup

• User Guides — Detailed documentation for each feature
• Reports — Guides for financial reporting
• Support — Contact support for complex issues

Related Pages

• Fresh Start Setup — New business setup guide
• Migration from Other Systems — Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks import
• Migration Best Practice — Pre go-live setup, backdated migration, payroll, and bank reconciliation
• Setup Checklist — Complete task list
• Opening Balances — Setting starting balances
• Dashboard — Your main workspace
• Settings — Business configuration

Last updated: June 10, 2026