In 2023, an update meant that all newly created Sage HR companies used Sage accounts by default to sign in to Sage HR.
Companies created before this update use a Sage HR login to sign into Sage HR. However, you can enable the company to use Sage accounts, following the steps in this article.
From June 2025, Sage accounts will be mandatory for all companies using Sage HR.
A Sage account is a login that allows Sage users to access their Sage products and services with just one login. For example, you could use the same login details for Sage HR, Sage Payroll, Sage Accounting etc.
Users with a Sage account for Sage HR can also enable 2FA, which enhances security.
Enable Sage accounts for your company
Click your name in the top right, then click Settings.
On the settings menu, click Security, then click Sage accounts and two-factor authentication.
Under Sage accounts, click Enable Sage accounts.
What happens after I enable Sage accounts?
All users in your Sage HR company will receive an email with instructions to create their Sage account if they don't have one already. Alternatively, they'll receive a prompt to create a Sage account the next time they log in.
📎NOTE: If someone has an existing Sage account, they'll receive a prompt to log in rather than create a Sage account. If they can't remember their password, they can use the Forgot password? option.
After they create a Sage account, the next time they log in, they just enter their Sage account email address and password.
After you enable Sage accounts, you can see on the security page that it shows as enabled and the option to enable 2FA appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't enable Sage accounts?
You'll receive a prompt to upgrade to Sage accounts for your Sage HR company. You can choose to do this later. However, after June 2025 when you log in, you'll have to enable Sage accounts before you can continue to access Sage HR.
Do employees need to do anything?
When you enable Sage accounts, employees will create a Sage account the next time they log in to Sage HR. They'll receive an email explaining this, with a link to the Sage HR login page.
Do employees use the same email address?
The email address the employee uses remains the same. They'll simply need to create a Sage account for that email address, which means setting a password again.
Why doesn't an employee have an option to create a Sage account?
When an employee logs in, rather than create a Sage account, they may see an option to enter an email address and password.
This will be because the employee already has a Sage account for the email address they use for Sage HR. If they can't remember their password, they can use the Forgot password? option.
Do employees have to use 2FA?
By default, the only user required to use 2FA will be the original admin. Your employees will only be prompted to set up and use 2FA if:
An admin has enabled 2FA for the company and selected the employee to use it
If the employee has enabled 2FA for their Sage account outside of Sage HR
Why is a user being asked to do 2FA when they never set it up?
If a user is asked to enter a 6-digit code after they log in with their email address and password, this is because they have set up 2FA at some point in the past.
If they don't remember doing this, and don't have their recovery code, they can use the recovery method option to reset 2FA.
If there is proof that there is no recovery method set up, an admin can contact Sage HR support on their behalf to get 2FA reset for them.