Introduction: Navigating CPA Record Retention: Essential Guidelines and Best Practices
Navigating the requirements for cpa record retention is a critical part of any accounting professional’s role. Whether you’re a part of a small local firm or a major accounting enterprise, it’s essential to keep up with the aicpa document retention policy and gaap record retention guidelines. This guide aims to simplify the rules around how long CPAs should keep client records, helping you understand which documents you need to hold onto and for how long.
When it comes to managing records, Armstrong Archives offers a reliable solution that ensures both compliance with retention requirements and peace of mind. With our expertise in offsite document storage and management, you can trust that your records are in safe hands and accessible when you need them.
Record Retention Essentials for CPAs
Managing a wide array of financial documents is a fundamental task for accounting professionals and CPAs. Federal guidelines set a baseline retention period of three years for tax records. However, to be on the safe side against potential IRS audits, it’s prudent to consider a six-year retention strategy. This section provides a practical walkthrough of CPA record retention requirements, outlining the necessary durations for different types of financial documents in line with AICPA and GAAP recommendations.
Records with a One-Year Requirement
When considering how long is a CPA required to keep client records, it starts with the basics. For daily operations with transient importance, a one-year retention period meets the minimum requirement. These documents may include:
- Customer and vendor correspondence
- Deposit slip duplicates
- Purchase orders
- Notebooks
- Requisitions and stockroom withdrawal forms
- Receiving sheets
- Personal payment stubs
- Retirement and mutual fund contribution statements
Documents to Keep for Three Years
Certain records need to be kept longer due to regulatory requirements or for reference. These three-year retention items consist of:
- Personnel records
- Employment applications
- General correspondence
- Expired insurance policies
- Internal reports, including audits
- Inventory tags
- Petty cash vouchers
- Employee savings bond registration records
- Time cards
- Credit card statements
- Medical bills
- Utility bills
Important Records with Extended Timelines
Some documents are pivotal for tax and legal purposes and should be kept for at least six years, such as:
- Supporting documents for tax returns
- Accident reports and claims
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Tax-related medical bills
- Bank statements
- Cancelled checks
- Employment tax records
- Expense analysis and distribution schedules
- Expired contracts and leases
- Inventories
- Invoices
- Notes receivable
- Sales records and receipts
- Time books
- Vouchers and voucher registers/schedules
- Travel and entertainment records
- Payroll records
- Property and improvement records
- Purchase orders
- Wage garnishments
- Sold stock and bond records
- Anything else tax-related
Records to Keep Permanently
These are the cornerstone documents of your business and should be kept indefinitely:
- CPA audit reports
- Legal records
- Tax returns, worksheets, and payment checks (including cancelled checks)
- Other important cancelled checks
- Corporate documents
- Account charts
- Cash books
- Deeds
- Fixed asset documents
- Depreciation schedules
- Current leases and contracts
- Year-end financial statements and balances
- General and private ledgers
- Journals
- IRS revenue agent reports
- Important correspondence
- Mortgages
- Bills of sale
- Property records and appraisals
- Pension and retirement records
- Patent and trademark registrations
- Director and stockholder minute books
- Investment trade confirmations
Safeguarding Records with Professional Solutions
As other items retain their importance over varying durations, such as vehicle records up to the point of sale, and warranty documents for the life span of the product, it becomes vital to engage with expert offsite records management services. Armstrong Archives offers such tailored solutions, ensuring legal compliance and readiness for any potential dispute or audit.
Conclusion: Ensuring Compliance through Effective Record Retention
In summation, compliance with CPA record retention requirements is a cornerstone of accounting practice management. Whether it’s preserving records for one, three, six years, or indefinitely, the process demands precision and foresight. By adhering to these directives and engaging specialized document management services, CPAs and accounting firms can ensure their readiness for any regulatory scrutiny or audits. The diligence with which you manage these records today will fortify the integrity and legacy of your fiscal responsibilities for the future.
For expert assistance in managing your record retention needs and to ensure your compliance is as seamless as possible, reach out to Armstrong Archives. Our tailored solutions provide the security and organization you need to focus on what you do best—managing your client’s financial futures. Contact us today to learn how we can support your record-keeping requirements.
Posted By: Sherri Taylor – President/Managing Partner
Sherri Taylor is the Managing Partner and President of Armstrong Archives, one of the largest independent records and information management companies in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.
