# File sharing for accountants and bookkeepers

Accounting runs on documents: bank statements, invoices and receipts coming in, returns, reports and audit packs going out. A year of scans is too big for email, and attachments are easy to forward. A link per client, with a confirmed email and a record of downloads, is quicker and safer.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-sharing-for-accountants · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** For accounts work, upload returns, statements and audit packs to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB per transfer), set Who can open the link to Anyone who confirms their email, limit downloads per person and add a password for returns. Collect invoices and receipts with a Request files link, and let automatic reminders chase clients who have not downloaded. Transfers are encrypted in transit (HTTPS), not end to end.

## Files accountants send, and how big they get

| File | Format | Typical size |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tax return or set of accounts | PDF | 1 to 20 MB |
| A year of scanned bank statements | PDF | 50 to 500 MB |
| Receipts photographed on a phone, one month | JPG, HEIC, PDF | 100 MB to 1 GB |
| Ledger and payroll exports | XLSX, CSV | under 50 MB |
| Audit pack with working papers | PDF, XLSX in a folder or ZIP | 200 MB to 5 GB |

## Can it go by email or chat?

Can you send a year of scanned statements (about 300 MB) as an attachment?

| App | Limit | Fits? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| **Share Large Video Files** | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |

Limits from our [file size limits by app](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-size-limits-by-app) table, checked against each service's help pages.

## A workflow that works

1. **Sending:** [upload](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/?for=accountants) the return or audit pack (a whole folder works). Open **More options**, set **Who can open the link** to _Anyone who confirms their email_ and **Download limits: per person** to 3.
2. For returns and statements, add a **Password** and give it to the client by phone or chat, not in the same email.
3. Tick **Email me when it's downloaded**, and under **Automatic rules** remind the client if they have not downloaded after a few days.
4. **Collecting:** give each client a [Request files](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/request-files-from-anyone) link. They upload scans, PDFs and spreadsheets from a phone or computer, without signing up. Add a checklist (bank statements, invoices, receipts) and a due date: missing items trigger automatic reminders, and a monthly request starts the next round by itself.
5. Turn receipt photos into one PDF with the free [JPG to PDF](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/jpg-to-pdf) tool, and shrink big scans with [Compress PDF](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/compress-pdf), both in the browser.

## Recommended options

| Option (under More options) | Setting | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who can open the link | Anyone who confirms their email | The client is who they say they are |
| Password | On for returns and statements | A second factor, given by phone or chat |
| Download limits: per person | 3 | Enough for the client, not for everyone they forward it to |
| Email me when it's downloaded | On | Proof the client collected it before a deadline |
| Automatic rules: remind | After 2 or 3 days | Clients are chased for you |
| Brand the download page | Your logo and message | Clients recognise the link as yours |

[**Open the upload page with the “Client accounts pack” settings on**](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/?for=accountants): the client confirms their email, 3 downloads each, and you get an email when it's downloaded. Add a password below for tax returns and statements. You can change anything before sending, then press **Save current** next to **Preset** to keep your own version for every client.

## Proof of delivery

Every transfer logs opens and downloads with the client's confirmed email, the time and the device. Export the log as CSV or PDF from the transfer's stats page when you need to show a return was delivered before a deadline. For year-end checklists sent to many clients, [personal links](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/personal-download-link-per-recipient) show exactly who has not opened them. See [download tracking](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-download-tracking).

## What this does and does not provide

Share Large Video Files delivers files; it is not your practice software or an archive. Links expire and files are deleted, so keep the working copies in your own system. Transfers are encrypted in transit (HTTPS) but not end to end, and we make no certification or compliance claims. Follow your professional body's rules on client data. See [security](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/security).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can clients upload documents without an account?

Yes. A Request files link lets them upload from any phone or computer.

### Can I password-protect a tax return?

Yes. Add a password when sending and give it to the client separately, by phone or chat.

### Will I know when the client downloaded it?

Yes. Tick Email me when it's downloaded; your Transfers page also logs every download with the time.

### Can I send a year of statements at once?

Yes. Send a folder of up to 20 GB per transfer; the client can download it as one ZIP.

### Can clients be reminded automatically?

Yes. Set a reminder under Automatic rules and clients who have not downloaded get an email.