Setting Up Paperless Files For Clients

It is easy and makes good sense to model the paperless office after a good traditional office. For an accounting firm, that would mean a permanent file folder for each client and a file folder for each year. This system is workable, but I now think there is a better way.

Why? 1. You want to be able to burn a CD with client information for the client. 2. Desktop and network search programs are now reasonably priced and powerful.

If you set up a client file system the way I described, above, it would be time - consuming to create client information CDs. Some of the files, the client should not have access to. These files might contain research, correspondence, workpapers, etc. The files that the client should have, and would want, would contain tax returns, certain financial reports and copies of tax documents.

Solution: 1. Have two permanent files, one for the office only, and the other available for the client. 2. Have a folder for Tax Return Documents. 3. Have a folder for Tax Returns.