Getting overwhelmed with paper bills and data files. How does everyone organize client information for easy retrieval and reference?
Organizing client data - best practices?
Phil - I use separate folders for each client with subfolders by year. Keep originals separate from working copies. Scanner is essential for backup copies.
Naming convention is key. I use ClientName_UtilityAbbrev_YYYYMM format for all files. Makes finding specific bills much easier when you have hundreds of files.
Don't forget backup! I learned the hard way when my computer crashed and I lost months of client data. External drive backup saved my business.
Jennifer makes a great point about backup. I also keep a simple log of what accounts I've audited and when. Helps track follow-up dates and annual review schedules.