How do I backup FreeAgent

[davetza]

**For mods I think this is the best forum for this question but please move if not**

Due to the multiple hacking/ransomware attacks on accountants and umbrella companies in the last few weeks, I have been looking at how I could back up the data I have in FreeAgent which is provided by my accountant in the event they were also attacked and there was temporary/permanent data loss. The following FreeAgent support page explains how I can export all my data but I don't appear to have the right level of access to do this export

https://support.freeagent.com/hc/en-...eAgent-account

I have written to my agent asking them if I can have access but I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has access to this functionality when FreeAgent is provided through their accountant rather than directly purchased. Also if anyone else has any suggestions for backing up this data please let me know.

[cojak]

**For mods I think this is the best forum for this question but please move if not**

A reasonable question here I think dave.

[Alchemy Accountancy]

You need to have user access level 8, but when you do, under settings there is an 'Export all data' option, which will export your data to an excel file. It is by no means perfect, but would allow someone to pull together a set of accounts from it if you did ever need to use it.

[davetza]

You need to have user access level 8, but when you do, under settings there is an 'Export all data' option, which will export your data to an excel file. It is by no means perfect, but would allow someone to pull together a set of accounts from it if you did ever need to use it.

I understand that but don't know how to get level 8 access. Is this something that my accountancy firm can do fairly easily or is it more complicated as my access is through the accountant firm rather than direct?

[Alchemy Accountancy]

I understand that but don't know how to get level 8 access. Is this something that my accountancy firm can do fairly easily or is it more complicated as my access is through the accountant firm rather than direct?

Yes, if the accountancy firm are the subscriber to FreeAgent then they will be able to change the access level quite easily.

[pr1]

I understand that but don't know how to get level 8 access. Is this something that my accountancy firm can do fairly easily or is it more complicated as my access is through the accountant firm rather than direct?

Hi, just to confirm, I get my freeagent through my accountant (Gorilla) and am able to use the 'export all' functionality - hopefully your accountancy can grant you the required access to do it if you ask them

[Maslins]

I understand that but don't know how to get level 8 access. Is this something that my accountancy firm can do fairly easily or is it more complicated as my access is through the accountant firm rather than direct?

Yeah your accountant should easily be able to upgrade your permission to the highest level. Some don't like to as it also means users can do things like post journals or file their own figures. ie if a client is a little..."overconfident", they can wreak more havoc on their own books with the highest permission setting!

As Alchemy Accountancy says, the export isn't very nice. It's an enormous Excel file, not particularly user friendly. However, all the key data should be there, and could be unpicked if required.

This would just be the data as it was at that point. Ie if you're really concerned, potentially you may want to take a full export on a semi regular basis.

[northernladuk]

A reasonable question here I think dave.

I love it when posters tell admins/mods if posts aren't allowed to move them. It's kinda what they do and don't generally need your permission

[d000hg]

From experience, accountants tend to provide their clients locked-down access to FA, presumably because it reduces their workload when you decide to start hacking about without knowing what you're doing. Shared access raises its own problems
How much they restrict it and how hard you have to push to get things unlocked will depend on your accountant, and you demonstrating you understand what you want to do.

FYI, I think you have the answer but FA had pretty good tech support by email when I had queries. An actual human taking the time to explain rather than just an RTFM. If you have specific questions you could ask them directly.

I love it when posters tell admins/mods if posts aren't allowed to move them. It's kinda what they do and don't generally need your permission

It's called courtesy. Unlike trolling the pro forums.

[Lance]

It's called courtesy.

it's called trolling if the OP knows that feature is broken