| Note: From October 1st, 2025, we introduced new plans that better reflect how our customers use Deputy: Lite, Core, and Pro. If you're an existing customer, look out for an email with all the details you’ll need. Learn more about the new plans and what this change means for you. |
This article is for customers on Pro and Enterprise plans. It covers the two ways to create custom access levels.
Before you read
- Target audience: This article is for users with System Administrator access.
- Plan variations: All Deputy plans include built-in access levels. Pro and Enterprise plans include the ability to create custom access levels.
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Feature update: Custom access levels has a new look in Business settings. This change is being gradually rolled out to all eligible Deputy accounts. If you're not on the new experience yet, check out Classic custom access levels and permissions (Discontinuing).
This article covers:
- What are custom access levels?
- How do I create a custom access level from scratch?
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How do I create a custom access level from an existing one?
What are custom access levels?
Custom access levels are a flexible alternative to Deputy’s default access levels (marked by a icon). They let you add new roles and tailor individual user permissions to your organization’s needs.
There are two ways to create custom access levels:
- Create a new custom access level from scratch, or
- Duplicate an existing access level and modify its permissions
How do I create a custom access level from scratch?
Use this option if you want to build a new set of permissions from the beginning.
1. Click your profile photo in the top-right corner, then select Business Settings from the menu.
2. Click the Access & permissions tab.
3. Select Access levels.
Note: If you don't see this option at the top of the Access & permissions tab, you may not have access to this experience yet. Check out Customizing access levels and permissions to learn about our classic (discontinuing) feature.
4. Click + Add access level at the top right corner.
5. Complete the following in the Add access level window:
- Enter a Name for the new access level.
- Select who this level Reports to from the drop-down menu.
- (Optional) Choose any additional reporting levels from the Also reports to drop-down menu.
- (Optional) Check the box for Enforce Two-factor Authentication (2FA) if you want to require a secure login code for these team members.
6. Click Add access level.
7. Select the permissions for this access level by clicking the relevant checkboxes. If you’re creating an access level from scratch, all permissions will be unchecked by default.
Note:
- Refer to our detailed Permissions guides to understand what each permission controls, including access to sensitive information such as pay and personal details.
- Use the menu on the right-hand side of the screen to jump to different permission categories.
8. Click Save changes at the top right-hand side of the screen when you're finished.
Note: You can return to this page later if you want to make further edits.
When you've finalised the permissions, you can start assigning the access level to your team members.
How do I create a custom access level from an existing one?
Use this option when you want to create an access level with similar permissions to an existing one, instead of starting from scratch. It saves time and effort since you only need to adjust the permissions that differ.
1. Click your profile photo in the top-right corner, then select Business Settings from the menu.
2. Click the Access & permissions tab.
3. Select Access levels.
Note: If you don't see this option at the top of the Access & permissions tab, you may not have access to this experience yet. Check out Customizing access levels and permissions to learn about our classic (discontinuing) feature.
4. Find the access level you want to copy.
5. Click the three dots icon (...) on the far right of the name, then select Duplicate.
Note: You can't duplicate the Advisor access level.
6. Complete the following in the Duplicate access level window:
- Edit the Name for the new access level.
- Select who this level Reports to from the drop-down menu.
- (Optional) Choose any additional reporting levels from the Also reports to drop-down menu.
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(Optional) Check the box for Enforce Two-factor Authentication (2FA) if you want to require a secure login code for these team members.
7. Click Duplicate access level.
8. You'll see a success message and be taken to the permissions list, where you can select / deselect permissions by clicking the relevant checkboxes.
Since it’s based on an existing access level, all permissions will match the one you duplicated.
Note:
- Refer to our detailed Permissions guides to understand what each permission controls, including access to sensitive information such as pay and personal details.
- Use the menu on the right-hand side of the screen to jump to different permission categories.
9. Click Save changes at the top right-hand side of the screen when you're finished.
Note: You can return to this page later if you want to make further edits.
When you've finalised the permissions, you can start assigning the access level to team members.