Mother Lode Bookkeeping Inc. is providing our clients with a free service which provides quick and secure access to their information while allowing us to deliver this information more efficiently and with a “greener” impact on our environment. 

Requirements

Currently the portal will work on PCs running Windows with Internet Explorer 7 or higher and Mac computers running Safari with Java version 1.5 or higher.   While most newer computers will already have all the software installed that is necessary for the Portal to function, this required software can be download below for free by clicking on the appropriate icons below.

ADOBE READER: You will need Adobe pdf reader to open most documents from Mother Lode Bookkeeping.  If you do not already have Adobe's pdf reader you can download a free copy here:
            

JAVA: You will need Java installed on your computer in order for the portal to function properly.  If you are getting any kind of errors while the portal is loading, or if Java doesn't load (you will see the logo with a progress meter) and you see a small red "X" in the upper left corner of the left window, it may be your installation of Java.  If so you may install or upgrade it for free here (both PC and Mac):

WEB BROWSER (PC): You will need Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser version 7 or higher.  To check your version after opening IE click on Help/About Internet Explorer and make sure your version is a least 7.0.   If you do not have this version installed you can download it for free here:

WEB BROWSER (MAC): If you are using a Macintosh computer you must use the Safari browser as well as have Java 1.5 or higher installed (see JAVA above).  If you do not have Safari installed you can download it for free here:

How to View/Download/Print or Upload a Document

During the first logon process multiple Security Warning Window(s) may pop up as shown below.  Click the "Always trust content from this publisher" box and then click the "Run" button and the portal will proceed to load.  These warnings will not appear the next time you log in to the portal.

After you logon you will see the following screen below. On the left you will see your folders and files stored on your web portal.  Click on the folder contents which contains the information you want to view or retrieve. If the document is a pdf document (most are) after a pause to decrypt, the document will be displayed  in your adobe pdf Reader.

View/Download/Print

If the document is a pdf it will display in you Acrobat Reader.  You may then view, print, or save the document by clicking on the appropriate button In your Reader. 

Upload Documents to MLB

Click on the "Local" tab in the Portal and you will see the following screen as shown below:

After a few seconds to load, the middle "Local System" window displays the content of your PC and the left window displays the content of the Portal.  To upload a file from your PC to the Portal, browse to the file you wish to upload in the middle window by clicking on the appropriate "+" to expand the tree to the location of the desired file.  Note: To get to your desktop click on your hard drive letter (typically C:), then "Documents and Settings," then your "Logon Name," and then "Desktop."  All of the files and folders on your desktop should then be displayed in the far right window.

Highlight the file you would like to upload in the far right window and also highlight the location in the left window of the portal where you would like the files to go (i.e. Tax/2008).

Once both the upload file and the portal location have been selected click on the "Lock" button with the arrow pointing to the left to start the upload process.  After you start a file transfer you will see a status bar in the middle. When the transfer is complete the system will refresh the list and you will get a confirmation message.  Note: this process can take a minute or so depending upon the size of the file you are uploading.

If you have files that you would like to upload to us but you are not sure of the document format that we may be able to open, listed below are some of the common formats that we can accept:

• PDF Documents: All Versions (Recommended)

• Microsoft Word: Most Versions

• Microsoft Excel: Most Versions

• QuickBooks Files: Most Versions

• Jpeg, TIff, BMP, GIF plus most other Graphic Files

If you have a document that you are unsure if we can open you can convert it to a pdf document by using this simple and free on-line service.  Note: This is a third-party service not affiliated with Mother Lode Bookkeeping so review their Privacy Policy before submitting any documents for conversion.

To close the window click the “X” in the top right corner.

Forgot Your Login or Password

LOGIN: If you forgot your login information contact us and we will send you your login information.  You can contact us via e-mail here or contact your preparer directly.

PASSWORD:  If you have forgotten your password you can click on the "Forgot your password?" link under the Sign In button and your password will be e-mail directly to you.  NOTE: you must have an e-mail address on file with us for this to work.  If we do not have an e-mail address on file you can contact us via e-mail here or contact your preparer directly.

Also, if you would like to change your password either call your preparer or e-mail here and request a password change--make sure you include your last 4 digits of your social security number for identity validation.