When or Do I Get to Throw It Away??? Document Destruction The Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the destruction of business records and documents and turns intentional document destruction into a process that must be carefully monitored. Nonprofit organizations should have a written, mandatory document retention and periodic destruction policy. Policies such as this will eliminate accidental or innocent destruction. In addition, it is important for administrative personnel to know the length of time records should be retained to be in compliance. The following table provides the minimum requirements. This information is provided as guidance in determining your organization’s document retention policy. Type of Document Minimum Requirement Accounts payable ledgers and schedules 7 years Audit reports Permanently Bank Reconciliations 2 years Bank statements 3 years Checks (for important payments and purchases) Permanently Contracts, mortgages, notes and leases (expired) 7 years Contracts (still in effect) Permanently Correspondence (general) 2 years Correspondence (legal and important matters) Permanently Correspondence (with customers and vendors) 2 years Deeds, mortgages, and bills of sale Permanently Depreciation Schedules Permanently Duplicate deposit slips 2 years Employment applications 3 years Expense Analyses/expense distribution schedules 7 years Year End Financial Statements Permanently Insurance Policies (expired) 3 years Insurance records, current accident reports, claims, policies, etc. Permanently Internal audit reports 3 years Inventories of products, materials, and supplies 7 years Invoices (to customers, from vendors) 7 years Minute books, bylaws and charter Permanently Patents and related Papers Permanently Payroll records and summaries 7 years Personnel files (terminated employees) 7 years Retirement and pension records Permanently Tax returns and worksheets Permanently Timesheets 7 years Trademark registrations and copyrights Permanently Withholding tax statements 7 years ©2004 National Council of Nonprofit Associations, www.ncna.org May be duplicated for non-commercial use, with attribution, by charitable organizations. The National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) is the network of state and regional nonprofit associations serving over 22,000 members in 46 states and the District of Columbia. NCNA links local organizations to a national audience through state associations and helps small and mid-sized nonprofits: manage and lead more effectively; collaborate and exchange solutions; save money through group buying opportunities; engage in critical policy issues affecting the sector; and achieve greater impact in their communities.
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Larry C. HowlettOur accounting ministry exists to bring your dreams of helping others to reality. Archives
May 2021
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