# Roles and Permissions

Roles control access across SmartAcademy.

## Step-by-step guide

1. Go to **Users & Staff > Roles & Permissions**.
2. Select **Add Role**.
3. Enter role name and description.
4. Select permissions for the role.
5. Save the role.
6. To update access later, edit the role and save changes.
7. To assign a role to a user, open the user actions in People Directory and select **Assign Role**.

## What SmartAcademy does in the background

The backend stores role permission keys as part of the role. When a user performs an action, SmartAcademy checks the permission key before allowing it.

## Tips

- Keep finance permissions limited to finance staff and leadership.
- Keep role management permission limited to trusted administrators.
- Avoid deleting a role that is still assigned to users.

## Related pages

- [Navigation and permissions](/smartacademy-v2-platform/getting-started/navigation-permissions)
- [People directory](/smartacademy-v2-platform/staff/people-directory)