Section 5.1: Freelancer Stripe Express Setup

This guide explains how solo freelancers and prime freelancer organizations onboard to Stripe Express through the ABRAM Network to verify their identity and configure bank accounts or debit cards for payout routing.

1. Overview of Stripe Express Onboarding

ABRAM uses Stripe Connect (Express) to route invoice payments securely and directly to freelancers. When a producer pays an invoice or authorizes a Purchase Order (PO), Stripe splits the platform processing fee and immediately routes the remaining funds to the freelancer's connected bank account or debit card.

[!IMPORTANT]

• Onboarding is mandatory to receive automatic payouts.
• If you have not completed Stripe setup, invoices can still be saved locally and sent, but payment routing will only activate once onboarding is complete.
• Solo freelancers onboard as Individuals; agencies, studios, or production companies onboard as Companies.

Onboarding Payout Safety Net

If a contractor has not completed their Stripe onboarding, clients can still pay their invoices. The system automatically processes the client's payment and holds the funds securely on the ABRAM platform account. Once the contractor completes their Stripe setup, the platform automatically releases and routes the held funds to the contractor's connected bank account.

2. Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to Financials

1. Log in to your ABRAM freelancer workspace.
2. In the left navigation sidebar, click on Financials.
3. Under the Overview tab or the Payouts tab, look for the Payout Setup (or Organization Payout Setup) widget.

Step 2: Initialize Stripe Account Creation

1. Click Get Started on the setup card.
   • Note: Only users with Financial Management permissions (Owners and Admins for organizations) can initiate this setup.
2. ABRAM will securely register your profile with Stripe in the background. A loading spinner will appear briefly.
3. You will be redirected automatically to the Stripe-hosted onboarding wizard in the same browser tab.

Step 3: Complete the Stripe Express Form

On the Stripe-hosted onboarding portal, you must provide:

1. Verification Details: Enter your phone number and email to receive a Stripe verification code.
2. Business Details:
   • Individual / Sole Proprietor: Provide legal name, SSN (or tax ID), and date of birth.
   • Company (Studio/Agency): Provide legal entity name, EIN, and business address.
3. Payout Destination: Enter your Bank Account details (Routing and Account Number) or link a Debit Card for instant payouts.

Step 4: Verification and Return to ABRAM

1. Once you review and submit your details, Stripe will redirect you back to the ABRAM Financials page.
2. ABRAM will automatically retrieve and update the setup status.
3. Your Payout Setup card will update to show your active status.

3. Understanding Account Statuses

The Stripe Connect Status card indicates your verification state:

| Status | Charges | Payouts | Verification | Explanation | Action Required | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | :--- | :--- | | Active (Green) | Enabled | Enabled | Submitted | Your account is fully configured. | None. You can receive automated payouts. | | In Review (Amber) | Pending | Pending | Submitted | Stripe is verifying your documents. | Wait 24–48 hours, or check Stripe for alert notices. | | Setup Required (Violet) | Pending | Pending | Required | Onboarding is incomplete or failed. | Click Complete Setup / Continue Setup to finish. |

[!WARNING] If Stripe is unable to verify your identity with the initial details provided, your status will show Setup Required or In Review. Stripe may request additional documentation (e.g., a photo of a government-issued ID). Click Continue Setup to upload these directly to Stripe.

4. Managing Your Stripe Dashboard

Once your Stripe Connect account status is Active, the setup button changes to Open Stripe Dashboard (or Open Organization Dashboard).

Clicking this button takes you to Stripe Express where you can:

• View pending and historical payout transfers.
• Track the exact arrival date of payouts in transit.
• Update your bank account or debit card information.
• View and download annual tax documents (such as Form 1099-NEC).

5. Multi-Organization Context (Prime Freelancers)

If your user account is an Owner or Admin of a registered Production Company organization:

• Org-Bound Setup: ABRAM binds Stripe Connect accounts to organizations rather than individual users. Setting up Stripe here configures the bank account for the entire organization's billings.
• Role Restrictions: Only organization members with financial permissions can start onboarding. Standard team members will see a read-only message: "Only organization owners or authorized admins can manage Stripe setup."
• Personal vs. Organization View: If you operate as both an individual freelancer and run a company, you can toggle between your Personal and Organization payout balances on the Payouts tab. Ensure you configure Stripe for both if you expect payments in both roles.

Payout Destination Resolution

When a producer pays an invoice, the platform automatically routes the payout to the contractor's correct connected Stripe account using a strict priority order:

1. Payee Organization: If the invoice is billed by an organization, the funds are routed directly to that organization's Stripe account.
2. Contractor Workspace Ranking: If the invoice is billed by an individual contractor, the system resolves the organizations owned by that contractor and routes the payout to the most appropriate business account based on their organizational roles (favoring corporate production company accounts first, followed by contractor company accounts, and falling back to personal setups).
3. Submitter Fallback: If no organizational accounts can be resolved, the payout is routed to the individual Stripe account of the member who submitted the invoice.