Logging In and Out of Engagement

You must enter your CCH Axcess credentials each time you access Engagement. The first time you log in and periodically afterward, you also must complete the 2-Step Verification process A method of confirming a users's identity by requiring a second piece of information beyond a password. In CCH Axcess, this is typically a special code that is emailed or texted to you or a response to an automated phone call.. How often you need to do this depends on the options set by your administrator in the firm setup.

If you do not have a phone number in your CCH Axcess user profile, you will be prompted to add one. The phone number is used to verify your identity. It must be a direct number; phone numbers with extensions cannot be used for identity verification.

Important: Email cannot be used as your primary method of 2-Step Verification. This option is only available for first-time logins and for temporary use until you have a verified phone number in your user account. Once you have added a verified phone number, the email option is removed from the 2-Step Verification options.

Logging In

If this is your first login, you might be prompted to perform additional steps, such as accepting the Terms of Use, resetting the temporary password, and setting security questions and answers.

If it is not your first login, depending on your firm's setup and the amount of time since you last logged in, you might be asked to verify your identity multiple times.

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.

You must log back in after 20 or 30 minutes of inactivity, depending on your firm's configuration. Regardless of activity, you must log back in after 24 hours.

To log in, do the following:

1. If this is your first time logging in on this device and browser, enter your account number and click Submit.
2. Enter your user ID. If you do not remember your user ID, click Forgot User ID? and enter the email address that is in your staff profile. You will receive an email containing your user ID.
3. Enter your password. 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.
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.
5. Click Login
6. If you are prompted to verify your identity, must complete the 2-Step Verification process.

To reduce the number of times you must complete 2-Step Verification, select the Trust this device option when you log in. When you do so, you will only complete 2-step verification at intervals set by your administrator. See FAQs about 2-Step Verification in the Administration Manager Help 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 Smart Phone in the Administration Manager Help 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.
7. If your firm uses the CCH Axcess login mode and a phone number has not been set for verification purposes in your profile, set one now and complete the verification process.
   1. If a phone number exists in your CCH Axcess user profile, you can select a number or click Add phone. If no phone number exists in your user profile, enter a phone number.

      Important: The phone number 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 to receive the verification code either by text or voice message, and then click Send the Code.
   4. Enter the verification code in the Account Verification window, and then click Submit.

Logging Out of Engagement

To log out of Engagement, click in the upper-right corner.