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Filing categories
Q: My husband and I have taken over a small (35) employee construction company and there is NO organization for filing. Is there a standard system that I could implement so we can find the documents we need when we need them?
A: Having an organized filing system is a must for all businesses. It's vital to be able to find papers instantly, otherwise lots of valuable time is bound to be wasted.
First, come up with your 'major' filing categories. For most businesses, these include categories such as:
- Employees
- Financial
- Legal
- Vendors
- Marketing
Once you've done this, it will be easier for you to know where to file your sub–categories.
For instance, in the Employees section, you would have all files that pertain to your employees, probably in alphabetical order.
In the Financial section, you would have Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Overdue Accounts, Bank Accounts, Loans, and so on.
Finally, if you're really having difficulties with this, you might want to buy a filing system in which the categories have already been thought–out for you, such as the fileWISE system available on my Web site.
Some issues discussed in the expert forum are complex and continually changing.We recommend you consult a professional advisor about your specific circumstances, needs, and applicable laws. More details.