Gottier Investments

860-683-1245

Lifestyle Read Time: 3 min

Keeping Good Records is Good Business

Maintaining good records is important to help meet your tax and legal obligations. The right record keeping system not only helps satisfy these obligations, but it may save you money and time. Here’s what to consider for your record-keeping system.

What Records Do You Need to Keep?

The first step is identifying the records you need to maintain. The obvious examples include leases, contracts, payroll and personnel records and a range of accounting and finance information, such as invoices, receipts, checks, payables, and inventory. Please consult a professional with tax expertise regarding your individual situation.1

How Do You Want to Keep Them?

Record maintenance can take three basic forms:

  • Paper-based—It’s old school, but maintaining records in file folders stored in a metal cabinet may be sufficient, though at the risk of files being damaged or destroyed with no back-up.
  • Computer-based—Maintaining records on computers save space and make records management easier. Consider backing up files and keeping them off-site.
  • Cloud computing—Records are stored and managed on the internet, offering possible savings on software, reducing the risk of lost data and providing access from any location.

What Software Should You Use?

The right software can make life more productive; the wrong software may cost you time and money.

When shopping for software, consider:

  • The size of your organization. Do you want an easy-to-use package, or are you able to hire a dedicated employee to take advantage of a more sophisticated alternative?
  • What sort of training and support is provided? Without the right measure of either, your software may not be productivity tool you envisioned.
  • Is specialized software available? The needs of different professions can vary greatly. Specialized software may have capabilities not available with more generic software.
  • What are its mobile capabilities? If you operate your business from the road, you may want your software to have robust mobile features.

1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

 

Related Content

Four Reasons Millennials Need an Estate Strategy

Four Reasons Millennials Need an Estate Strategy

Estate strategies for millennials may sound like less of a concern than retirement, but young adults should prepare now.

Intellectual Property and Your Estate

Intellectual Property and Your Estate

Do you have intellectual property? Consider how you might include your IP into your estate strategy in this detailed article.

Weighing the Benefits of Prepaid Debit Cards

Weighing the Benefits of Prepaid Debit Cards

It's important to understand the pros and cons when considering a prepaid debit card.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

Social Security: Maximizing Benefits

There are other ways to maximize Social Security benefits, in addition to waiting to claim them.

Spotting Credit Trouble

The wise use of credit is a critical skill. These 10 questions will help you assess your skill level.

You May Need to Make Estimated Tax Payments If…

Have income that isn’t subject to tax withholding? Or insufficient withholdings? You may have to pay estimated taxes.

View all articles

What Is My Current Net Worth?

Use this calculator to estimate your net worth by adding up your assets and subtracting your liabilities.

Should I Buy or Lease an Auto?

This calculator compares the financial impact of leasing versus buying an automobile.

Comparing Investments

This calculator compares the net gain of a taxable investment versus a tax-favored one.

View all calculators

5 Smart Investing Principles

Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

View all presentations

Once Upon a Goal

Do you know how to set up your financial goals for success? This knight does.

Bursting the Bubble

Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?

RE: Retirement

How does your ideal retirement differ from reality, and what can we do to better align the two?

View all videos