Logging In

If your firm uses the CCH Axcess login method or you are an Active Federation Services user, CCH Axcess prompts you for login credentials when you open the application.

If your firm uses the CCH Axcess login method, the first time you log in and periodically afterward, you also must complete the 2-Step Verification process The 2-step verification process requires a second way to verify your identity in addition to your user ID and password. A message is to your email address or a phone number you specify. You are then required to enter a code (emailed or sent in a text message) or press pound on a phone keypad (sent in a voice message) to verify your identity.. How often you need to reauthenticate depends on the options set by your administrator in the firm setup. See FAQs about 2-Step Verification for more information about the factors that influence how often you must reauthenticate.

If you do not have a phone number in your CCH Axcess user profile, you will be prompted to add one that can be used for verifying your identity. This phone number must be a direct number. Phone numbers with extensions cannot be used for identity verification.

Note: Beginning with release 2019-5.0, you can no longer use email as your primary method of 2-Step Verification. This option is still available for first-time logins and for temporary use until you have added a verified phone number to your user account. Once you have added a verified phone number, the option will no longer be visible to you when you complete 2-Step Verification.

Standard Login

The general workflow for logging in is below. Note that, depending on your firm's setup, how long it has been since you last logged in, and other factors, you might be asked to verify your identity more than once.

Notes:

• You are required to log back in after 20 or 30 minutes of inactivity, depending on your firm's login option. Regardless of activity, you must log back in after 24 hours.
• You are allowed five failed login attempts in a period of 15 minutes. Once you reach that limit, you must reset your password. Contact support to get a one-time access code for resetting your password.

1. Do one of the following to enter or accept your account number:
   • First time login.
     1. Enter the account number and click Submit.
     2. Accept the Terms of Use.
     3. Enter the temporary password that was emailed to you, and then enter and confirm your new password. Show me what the password must include.
        • At least eight characters and no more than the number configured for your firm in Login Setup
        • An uppercase letter
        • A number
        • A special character
     4. Select your security questions and answers. You can update these at a later time in User Options.
   • Subsequent logins. Accept the account number that was retained from your last log in or click to enter a different account number.
2. Enter your user ID.

Note: If you do not remember your user ID, click Forgot User ID? and enter the email address that is entered in your staff profile as your system email address. You will receive an email containing your user ID.

3. Enter your password.

   Note: If you do not remember your password, click Forgot password? and enter the answer to your security question. You will receive an email with a temporary password. You will be prompted to reset the password after logging in with the temporary password.

4. Enter the Captcha text displayed in the image. Alternatively, you can click Audio to hear the letters pronounced. This text is not case-sensitive.

Note: The image expires after 60 seconds. Click Reset to obtain a new image.

5. Click Login. You are logged in to CCH Axcess if either of the following are true:
   • Your firm uses the Federated Services login mode.
   • Your firm uses the CCH Axcess login mode, you are logging in from a trusted device, and your last 2-Step Verification has not expired.

   If your firm uses the CCH Axcess login mode and you have not completed 2-Step Verification on this device, or if your previous verification has expired, you also must complete the 2-Step Verification process.

   To reduce the number of times you must complete 2-Step Verification, you can select the Trust this device option when you log in. If you do this, then you will only need to complete 2-Step Verification at intervals set by your administrator. See FAQs about 2-Step Verification for more information.

   Note: The verification process is specific to your user credentials, device, and browser. You can select to trust each device that you use to log in to CCH Axcess.

   1. To verify your identity, select one of the following:
      • Email to. Sends a verification code to your email address. This option is only available for first-time logins or if you historically used this option and have not yet verified a phone number for identity verification. This option can no longer be used as a permanent option.
      • Authenticator app. Allows you to confirm your identity via a separate authenticator app installed on your SmartPhone. This option is only available if your firm has enabled this option and you have paired your device to your CCH Axcess™ user account. See Completing 2-Step Verification Using Your Smartphone for more information.
      • Text message to. Sends a verification code to your verified phone number.
      • Voice message to. Sends a voice message with a verification code to your verified phone number.
   2. If your profile contains multiple email addresses or phone numbers, select the preferred address or number, if needed.
   3. Click Send the Code.

   Note: Codes sent by email, text, or voice message expire five minutes after they are sent. Codes generated in the Google Authenticator app expire every 20 seconds.

   4. Do one of the following, depending on the verification option you selected:
      • If you selected the email, text, or voice option, enter the code on the Verify Your Identity window.
      • If you selected the Authenticator App option, do one of the following, depending on which app you have installed.
        • Wolters Kluwer Authenticator. Tap Approve in the app on your phone or on the notification from the app. The login process completes automatically and CCH Axcess™ opens. No additional steps are necessary.
        • Google Authenticator. Open the app. A unique and time-restricted code displays. Enter the currently displayed code on the Verify Your Identity window on your computer.
   5. Click Trust this device if you are using a private and secure device and want to bypass 2-Step Verification for the number of days set in your firm's login options.
   6. Click Submit.
6. If your firm uses the CCH Axcess login mode and your CCH Axcess profile does not include a phone number, you must set one now and complete the verification process.
   1. If a phone number is already part of your CCH Axcess user profile, you can select a number or click Add phone to add a new phone number. If no phone number is included in your user profile, enter a phone number.

      Important: The phone number you enter must be a direct phone number. A number that requires the caller to enter an extension number or to follow a phone menu cannot be used.

   2. Click Continue.
   3. Select whether you want to receive the verification code by text or voice message, and then click Send the Code.
   4. When you receive the verification code, enter it in the Account Verification window, and then click Submit.