# [SOP title, e.g. "Onboard a new client"]

**SOP ID:** [DEPT-000]  
**Version:** [1.0]  
**Owner:** [Role or name]  
**Last reviewed:** [YYYY-MM-DD]

Format: hierarchical. Use it for long procedures where each major step has its own sub-steps. Number sections 1, 1.1, 1.1.1 so people can refer to an exact step ("stuck on 2.3").

## Purpose

[One or two sentences on why this procedure exists.]

## Scope

- Covers: [what this applies to]
- Does not cover: [what is handled elsewhere]

## Roles and responsibilities

| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| [Role] | [Sections they own, e.g. "1 and 2"] |
| [Role] | [Sections they own] |
| [Approver] | [What they sign off] |

## Before you start

- [Tools and access]
- [Inputs and documents]

## Procedure

### 1. [Phase name, e.g. "Prepare"]

1.1 [Verb + object]. [Who] [does what], [by when].  
1.2 [Verb + object].  
  1.2.1 [Detail or sub-step]  
  1.2.2 [Detail or sub-step]  
1.3 [Verb + object]. Output: [what exists when this phase is done].

### 2. [Phase name, e.g. "Do the work"]

2.1 [Verb + object].  
2.2 [Verb + object].  
  2.2.1 If [condition], [what to do].  
  2.2.2 Otherwise, [what to do].  
2.3 [Verb + object]. Output: [what exists when this phase is done].

### 3. [Phase name, e.g. "Check and hand off"]

3.1 [Verb + object].  
3.2 [Verb + object].  
3.3 [Confirm completion, record it in [system], and notify [role]].

## Checklist

- [ ] Phase 1 complete: [output]
- [ ] Phase 2 complete: [output]
- [ ] Phase 3 complete: [output]

## Exceptions and escalation

- [Situation]: [who to contact and what to do]

## Records to keep

- [Record]: [where], kept for [period per your policy]

## Review

[Owner] reviews this SOP every [6 or 12 months].

---

## Short example

### Month-end close (excerpt)

**Owner:** Bookkeeper. **Runs:** Monthly, by the [5th] business day.

#### 1. Reconcile accounts

1.1 Download statements for every bank and card account.  
1.2 Reconcile each account in [accounting software].  
  1.2.1 Match every transaction to a receipt or invoice.  
  1.2.2 List unmatched items over [$50] and send to [Owner] for explanation.  
1.3 Save the reconciliation reports to [Finance > Month-end > YYYY-MM].

#### 2. Review and close

2.1 Review accounts receivable and chase anything over 30 days past due.  
2.2 Send the profit and loss report to [Owner].  
2.3 Lock the period in [accounting software] once [Owner] approves.