Why Multiple Administrators Matter in Relay Banking
Relay has become one of the most popular digital banking platforms for small businesses, largely thanks to its multi-account Profit First support. But as your team grows, a single admin managing all 20 accounts becomes a bottleneck — and a security risk. Understanding relay multiple administrators account management is critical for scaling your financial operations without sacrificing control.
Whether you’re adding a bookkeeper, giving your co-founder access, onboarding a fractional CFO, or enabling your accountant to view transactions during tax season, Relay’s multi-admin features let you distribute access thoughtfully.
This guide covers everything from setting up multiple administrators to advanced permission strategies, security best practices, and tools that complement Relay’s team features.
Understanding Relay’s Team Access Structure
Relay’s Permission Levels
Relay provides tiered access levels for team members:
| Role | View Accounts | Initiate Transfers | Approve Transfers | Manage Users | Account Settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | ✅ All | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Admin | ✅ All | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited |
| Manager | ✅ Assigned | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ | ❌ |
| Bookkeeper | ✅ Assigned | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Who Needs What Access?
Mapping roles to real-world team members:
- Founder/CEO → Owner: Full access to everything
- Co-founder/COO → Admin: Full operational access, can manage team
- Operations Manager → Manager: Can initiate transfers within assigned accounts
- Bookkeeper/Accountant → Bookkeeper: Read-only access for reconciliation
- Fractional CFO → Admin or Manager: Depends on scope of engagement
Setting Up Multiple Administrators in Relay
Step 1: Access Team Management
- Log into your Relay account at
relay.app - Navigate to Settings → Team
- Click Invite Team Member
Step 2: Configure Permissions
- Enter the team member’s email address
- Select the appropriate role (Admin, Manager, or Bookkeeper)
- For Manager and Bookkeeper roles, select which accounts they can access
- Send the invitation
Step 3: Verify and Activate
- The invited team member receives an email invitation
- They create their own Relay login credentials
- Two-factor authentication is required for all team members
- Access activates immediately upon account creation
Step 4: Enable Dual Authorization (Pro Plan)
For businesses on Relay’s Pro plan, enable dual authorization for additional security:
- Go to Settings → Security
- Enable Dual Authorization
- Select which transaction types require two approvals
- Assign approvers
Advanced Multi-Admin Strategies
Strategy 1: Separation of Duties
Follow the accounting principle of separation of duties by assigning different roles:
- Person A can initiate transfers but cannot approve them
- Person B can approve transfers but didn’t initiate them
- Person C (Bookkeeper) can view and reconcile but cannot move money
This prevents any single person from executing a fraudulent transaction without detection.
Strategy 2: Account-Level Isolation
Don’t give every admin access to every account. Consider:
- Operations Manager → Access to Operating Expenses account only
- Sales Lead → View-only access to Income account
- HR/Payroll → Access to Payroll account only
- CEO → Full access to all accounts
- External Accountant → Read-only access to all accounts
Strategy 3: Time-Bound Access
For temporary team members (tax season accountants, auditors, consultants):
- Grant access when the engagement begins
- Set a calendar reminder to revoke access when it ends
- Use the Bookkeeper role for read-only temporary access
- Review and remove stale access quarterly
Relay’s Dual Authorization Feature
How Dual Authorization Works
Available on Relay Pro, dual authorization adds a second approval step to high-value transactions:
| Transaction Type | Dual Auth Recommended? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| ACH transfers | ✅ Yes | >$5,000 |
| Wire transfers | ✅ Yes | All amounts |
| Bill payments | ⚠️ Optional | >$1,000 |
| Internal transfers | ⚠️ Optional | >$10,000 |
| Card transactions | ❌ Not applicable | — |
Setting Up Effective Approval Workflows
- Two-person rule: Initiator cannot be the approver
- Backup approvers: Always have at least two people who can approve, in case one is unavailable
- Mobile approvals: Ensure approvers have the Relay app for quick mobile approvals
- SLA for approvals: Set internal expectations (e.g., approve within 4 hours)
Managing Multiple Relay Accounts Across Team Members
The Browser Challenge
When multiple team members need to access Relay — plus QuickBooks, Gusto, Stripe, and other financial tools — browser session management becomes critical. Common issues include:
- Session conflicts: Logging into Relay as Admin logs out the Bookkeeper session in the same browser
- Credential confusion: Team members using different Relay logins in shared workstation environments
- Integration access: Connecting Relay to QuickBooks requires stable, persistent sessions
- Security risks: Shared browser profiles expose all saved credentials
Solution: Isolated Browser Sessions
Send.win provides session isolation that solves these challenges:
- Per-user sessions: Each team member’s Relay login lives in its own isolated environment
- No session conflicts: Multiple Relay logins can be active simultaneously
- Shareable sessions: Share a pre-authenticated Relay session with your accountant without sharing your password
- Cloud-based access: Team members can access their Relay session from any device
This is especially valuable for fractional CFOs and bookkeepers who manage Relay accounts for multiple clients and need to switch between accounts rapidly throughout the day.
Security Best Practices for Multi-Admin Relay Accounts
1. Enforce Two-Factor Authentication for Everyone
Relay requires 2FA, but ensure all team members use authenticator apps (not SMS, which is susceptible to SIM-swapping attacks). Recommended apps: Authy, Google Authenticator, or 1Password.
2. Review Access Monthly
Set a monthly calendar reminder to review who has access to Relay:
- Remove former employees and contractors immediately
- Downgrade permissions for team members who’ve changed roles
- Verify that access levels still match job responsibilities
- Check for any accounts that should be added to or removed from team member views
3. Use Unique Emails for Each Admin
Never share login credentials between team members. Each person should have their own Relay account with their own email address. This ensures:
- Accurate audit trails (who initiated each transaction)
- Individual 2FA enforcement
- Independent credential management
- Clean access revocation when someone leaves
4. Limit Owner-Level Access
Only the business owner (or a maximum of two co-founders) should have Owner-level access. Owner access includes the ability to close accounts, change bank details, and remove other admins — capabilities that should be tightly restricted.
5. Share Sessions, Not Passwords
When your accountant or bookkeeper needs access to Relay, use session sharing instead of password sharing. This:
- Eliminates the risk of credential theft
- Allows instant access revocation
- Provides a clear access log
- Prevents the “who has the password?” problem
Integrating Relay Multi-Admin with Your Financial Stack
Relay + QuickBooks Online
Connect Relay’s bank feeds to QuickBooks so that:
- Transactions from all accounts appear in QuickBooks automatically
- Each Relay account maps to a specific QBO bank account
- Bookkeepers can reconcile in QBO without needing transfer permissions in Relay
Relay + Gusto (Payroll)
If you have a dedicated payroll account in Relay:
- Connect Gusto to pull payroll funds from the designated account
- The payroll admin only needs Manager access to the payroll account
- Other Relay accounts remain invisible to the payroll team
Relay + Stripe/Payment Processors
Configure Stripe payouts to land in your Relay Income account:
- Automated transfers then allocate to Profit, Tax, and OpEx accounts
- Your sales/revenue team doesn’t need Relay access at all
- The system runs on autopilot once configured
Multi-Admin Scenarios and Solutions
Scenario 1: Growing Team (3-10 people)
Setup: Owner + 1 Admin + 1-2 Managers + External Bookkeeper
- Owner has full control
- Admin handles daily operations and can approve transfers
- Managers initiate payments within their scope
- Bookkeeper has read-only access for monthly reconciliation
Scenario 2: Agency Managing Client Finances
If you’re a bookkeeping firm managing Relay accounts for multiple clients:
- Each client grants your firm Bookkeeper or Manager access
- Use multi-session cloud browsing to manage all client Relay accounts from one interface
- Maintain separate browser sessions per client for security
- Document all access in your engagement letters
Scenario 3: Temporary Audit Access
During annual audits:
- Grant auditors Bookkeeper-level (read-only) access
- Set a specific end date for the access
- Provide access to all relevant accounts for the audit period
- Revoke access immediately when the audit concludes
Troubleshooting Multi-Admin Issues in Relay
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Team member can’t see all accounts | Permission scope limited | Check account-level access in Settings → Team |
| Dual auth approval stuck | Approver unavailable | Ensure backup approver is assigned |
| Session timeout during operations | Relay’s security timeout | Use Send.win to maintain persistent sessions |
| Can’t remove team member | They have pending approvals | Complete or cancel pending items first |
| Bookkeeper needs transfer access | Wrong role assigned | Upgrade to Manager role for specific accounts |
How Send.win Helps You Master Relay Multiple Administrators Account Management
Send.win makes Relay Multiple Administrators Account Management simple and secure with powerful browser isolation technology:
- Browser Isolation – Every tab runs in a sandboxed environment
- Cloud Sync – Access your sessions from any device
- Multi-Account Management – Manage unlimited accounts safely
- No Installation Required – Works instantly in your browser
- Affordable Pricing – Enterprise features without enterprise costs
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FAQ: Relay Multiple Administrators Account Management
How many administrators can I add to Relay?
Relay doesn’t impose a strict limit on team members. You can add as many admins, managers, and bookkeepers as needed. However, limit Owner and Admin roles to a small number for security purposes.
Does Relay charge per user?
Relay’s free plan includes team access. The Pro plan ($30/month) adds features like dual authorization and advanced permissions but doesn’t charge per team member.
Can I give my accountant temporary access?
Yes. Add them as a Bookkeeper (read-only) and set a reminder to remove access when their engagement ends. For even more security, use session sharing through Send.win so they can access your Relay without knowing your credentials.
What happens if an admin leaves the company?
Immediately remove their Relay access through Settings → Team. Their transaction history remains in the system for audit purposes, but they can no longer log in or initiate any actions.
Can two admins be logged in at the same time?
Yes. Each admin has their own login credentials, so multiple team members can access Relay simultaneously from different devices or browser sessions. For shared workstations, use isolated browser sessions to prevent credential conflicts.