> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://control-dev.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set up your workspace

> Go from an empty workspace to connected, mapped, and report-ready financial data.

export const ControlAppLink = ({path, breadcrumb, children}) => {
  const link = <a href={`https://app.control.dev${path}`} target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label={breadcrumb ? `Open ${breadcrumb} in Control` : undefined}>
      {children}
    </a>;
  return breadcrumb ? <Tooltip tip={breadcrumb}>{link}</Tooltip> : link;
};

Onboarding is complete when at least one accounting source is connected, local accounts and dimensions are mapped into the group structure, and the main financial statement layouts are ready.

## Before you start

Gather the following:

* The legal entities you want to report on
* The reporting currency for each entity and for the group
* Administrator access, or help from an administrator, for each source system
* Your preferred group chart of accounts and reporting dimensions, if you already have them

## 1. Choose a setup path

The **Get started** card offers two paths:

* **Default** creates a practical starting structure and is fastest for a new workspace.
* **Custom** asks how you want group accounts, dimensions, and statement layouts created.

The selected path becomes part of the onboarding workflow. Choose Custom when an established management-reporting structure must be preserved.

## 2. Add entities and connect data

Create each legal entity, confirm its country and currency, and connect its accounting source. Source-specific credential instructions are available in [Integrations](/product-docs/integrations/overview).

After credentials are verified, the first sync starts. The next onboarding steps unlock when Control has loaded the accounting structures required for mapping.

<Tip>
  If onboarding says that accounting data is still loading, check the data source status before changing mappings. The
  first load may still be running even though credentials were accepted.
</Tip>

## 3. Configure the group structure

Control separates source-system structures from the reporting structure:

1. Create or review **group accounts**.
2. Map **local accounts** to group accounts.
3. Create or review **group dimensions and items**.
4. Map **local dimension items** to group dimension items.

See [Account mappings](/product-docs/configuration/account-mappings) and [Dimension mappings](/product-docs/configuration/dimension-mappings) for the detailed workflows.

## 4. Configure financial statements

Review the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow layouts. A layout controls presentation and grouping; account mappings control which financial data reaches each group account.

## 5. Validate before inviting the team

Before marking onboarding complete:

* Compare one closed month against the source accounting system.
* Review every unmapped account with transaction activity.
* Confirm that the dimension hierarchy matches the intended management view.
* Drill from a report value to transactions and verify the detail.
* Invite additional users only after the workspace structure is understandable to them.

## If you get stuck

| Symptom                                           | What to check                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| The next step does not unlock                     | Confirm the data source is enabled and the first sync has completed.                                                                                                                                                           |
| Accounts appear unmapped                          | Open <Tooltip tip="Configuration → Entities → Local → Group accounts"><ControlAppLink path="/consolidation/entities/chart-of-accounts"><strong>Group accounts</strong></ControlAppLink></Tooltip> and filter to unmapped rows. |
| A new cost center is missing from group reporting | Confirm the source sync completed, then map the new local dimension item.                                                                                                                                                      |
| Report totals differ from the source              | Compare the same entity, period, currency, and filters; then drill to transactions.                                                                                                                                            |