Account Codes Setup

Account Codes is managed both at the account and user levels. Once it's enabled on the account
and the default settings are configured, you can choose whether to enable Account Codes for all
(current) users, after which it can be enabled or disabled for individual users as needed.

Enable Account Codes on Account

The following steps are only required the very first time Account Codes is enabled on an account.

1. Go to Account > Account Codes.
2. Fill out the following fields:
   • Account code length: Specify the number of digits (3–7) that will be required for all codes on this account. This setting cannot be changed later, so choose a length that will meet the account's needs in the long term.
   • Max retries to validate code: Specify how many times (1–9) a user can enter an incorrect account code. The industry average is 3–5 attempts.
3. Click [Save]. The page is refreshed, and Account Codes can now be configured on the account.
   

Account Settings

Once Account Codes is enabled on an account, the account-level settings must be configured before enabling it for users. These settings will be applied to all users who have account codes enabled, except those with custom settings.

Account Codes work differently depending on the settings. For details about how to configure your settings for different use cases, see Account Codes Settings.

1. Go to Account > Account Codes.
2. Under Account Codes Settings, switch on Allow account codes. Once these settings are saved (see step 5), Account Codes can be enabled or disabled at the user level as needed.
3. Choose which default settings to enable (optional). To see how each of these settings changes the flow of a call, see Account Codes Settings.
   • Require account codes for internal calls. If enabled, users are prompted to dial an account code on every outbound call to other users on the account. If disabled, the user can dial a star code + account code during a call if they want to tag it.
   • Validate account codes when dialed. If enabled, the account code is validated against the codes on the account. If disabled, the user can dial any number as an account code, as long as it’s the right length. At least one account code must be added before enabling this option.
   • Allow call to proceed after max retries. If account codes are validated and the user enters multiple invalid codes, this setting determines whether the call will proceed as intended or end once the user reaches the max retry limit. This setting can only be customized at the user level if it's enabled at the account level first.
4. Calls requiring account codes. Choose which specific call types require an account code.
   These settings are typically used to ensure that only authorized personnel are able to place
   certain types of calls that may incur additional charges.
   
   To prevent users from placing these call types without a valid code, ensure "Validate account codes when dialed" (above) is enabled. Otherwise, the call will go through even if the number dialed doesn't match a code on the account.
   • International. Require a code to authorize calls to country codes that are different than the caller's. Since the US and Canada have the same country code, they're considered local.
   • Directory assistance. Require a code to authorize calls to directory assistance (411) and operator assistance (0).
   • Premium toll. Require a code to authorize calls to 1-900 numbers.
5. Click [Save].
   
6. Save Account Codes. A pop-up will appear stating that these settings will be applied to all users who have account codes enabled, except those with custom settings, and ask if you want to enable this feature for all users who don't have it yet.
   • Yes: Account Codes will be enabled for all existing users who don't have it yet. If Account Codes had been intentionally disabled for any users, it will have to be disabled for them again.
   • No: Account Codes will not be enabled for users who don't have it yet. Choose this option if you want to enable it manually for individual users, rather than enabling it for everyone all at once.
7. Click [Save] to apply the settings.