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Expert Onboarding System

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1. Overview

The Expert Onboarding System connects platform experts with Stripe Connect for secure, compliant payment processing. This system ensures you work with verified experts who can receive payments professionally, while the platform handles tax reporting and compliance. Once an expert completes onboarding, they can accept work assignments and get paid directly for their contributions to your venture.

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2. Step-by-Step Guide

For Experts:
  1. Navigate to Expert Payout Setup - Access the /expertpayoutsetup page from your dashboard or when prompted after accepting your first assignment.
  2. Create Stripe Connect Account - Click the button to create your Stripe Connect account. The system generates a secure onboarding link through the POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/onboarding-link endpoint.
  3. Complete Stripe Onboarding - You’ll be redirected to Stripe to provide business details, banking information, and identity verification documents. Stripe validates this information in real-time.
  4. Return to Platform - After completing Stripe’s flow, return to Fiftyknots. The system automatically verifies your account status using GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/verification-status.
  5. Confirm Active Status - Your Expert Dashboard at /expert/expertreworkview displays your onboarding status. Once verified, you can accept paid assignments and track earnings.
  6. Access Payout Dashboard - Use GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/dashboard-link to view your Stripe dashboard for payout schedules, tax forms, and payment history.
For Platform Administrators:
  1. Monitor Verification Status - Track expert onboarding completion through the Expert Metrics Dashboard at /admin/expertmetricsdashboard.
  2. Refresh Account Status - Use POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/refresh-status to manually update verification status if an expert reports completion issues.
  3. Review Expert Profiles - View consolidated expert information including payout readiness at /sherpaprofilesetup for Sherpa experts or through expert profile endpoints.

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3. Common Questions

Q: What information do I need to complete expert onboarding?
A: You’ll need government-issued ID, business tax information (SSN or EIN), bank account details for direct deposit, and business address. Stripe requires this information for tax compliance and identity verification. Q: How long does verification take?
A: Most expert accounts verify instantly if all information is correct. Some cases requiring manual review may take 1-3 business days. Check your status anytime using the verification status endpoint or your Expert Dashboard. Q: Can I update my banking information after onboarding?
A: Yes. Access your Stripe dashboard through the dashboard link endpoint. You can update banking details, tax information, and contact information directly in Stripe without losing your verification status. Q: What happens if my account fails verification?
A: Stripe will notify you of specific issues through email and their dashboard. Common issues include mismatched identity information or incomplete bank details. Correct the flagged items and resubmit through your Stripe dashboard. Q: Do I need to complete onboarding before accepting work?
A: You can be matched to opportunities and review project details before completing onboarding. However, you must finish Stripe Connect setup before officially accepting paid assignments or receiving compensation.

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4. Troubleshooting

Issue: Onboarding link expired or won’t load
Solution: Generate a fresh onboarding link by clicking the setup button again on /expertpayoutsetup. Links expire after 24 hours for security. The system creates a new link each time through the onboarding-link endpoint. Issue: Verification stuck in “pending” status
Solution: Use the refresh status button to manually check with Stripe. If status remains pending after 72 hours, verify you completed all Stripe requirements. Check your email for Stripe notifications about missing information. Issue: Can’t access Stripe dashboard after onboarding
Solution: Request a new dashboard link through the Expert Payout Setup page. Dashboard links are single-use and expire. The system generates fresh access tokens each time you request dashboard access. Issue: Profile shows as incomplete despite finishing Stripe onboarding
Solution: Navigate to Expert Payout Setup and click “Refresh Status.” The system queries Stripe’s API to update your verification state. If the problem persists after refresh, contact platform support with your expert ID. Expert Profiling Wizard (/expertstoryprofilingwizard) - After completing payout setup, build your expert profile to showcase skills and experience. The profiling system uses your work stories to match you with relevant opportunities and calculates skill ratings based on your background. Expert Dashboard (/humansherpadashboard for Sherpas) - Monitor your active assignments, earnings, and performance metrics. The dashboard displays available offers through GET /api/v1/expert-dashboard/offers and tracks your allocation across multiple projects. Developer Analytics (/developeranalytics) - For technical experts building playbooks or custom solutions, this feature tracks revenue from your published work, payout schedules, and adoption metrics across the platform.