Where should you store company documents?
Asked by: Dr. Aylin Wiegand Sr. | Last update: July 13, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (25 votes)
Where to store company documents?
One of the best ways to set up file storage and sharing for your business is to use OneDrive for personal files you want to control sharing with, and SharePoint and Teams for the files everyone or most should have access to. OneDrive is a cloud-storage platform where you can store your individual or personal files.
Where should your documents be stored?
What is the safest way to store personal documents? A safe deposit box is one of the safest ways to securely store your valuables like personal documents.
How do companies store documentation?
Digital filing systems ensure you have easy access to years' worth of documents. Enhanced security: Paper filing systems are often locked or stored in authorized locations, while digital filing systems allow businesses to set up usernames and passwords to limit and control access to certain files.
What is the most secure place to store documents?
The best practices mix physical storage (a safe, safe deposit box, etc.), the cloud, and a thumb drive/external hard drive.
Where to store business files in Microsoft 365
Where should you avoid storing files?
But no matter how desperate you are for space, a basement should be the last place you store your documents. Situated underground, a basement is especially prone to floods, and the presence of plumbing pipes compounds the risk of water damage to your files.
Where do most people keep important documents?
Safe deposit box or fireproof safe: This is where you'll want to store your most important documents, such as birth certificates and Social Security cards. If you choose a fireproof safe at home, you will want to make sure it is stored where it won't be easily found, in case of a break-in.
Where to keep company documents?
A commercial records center offers the best choice for protecting the confidentiality of your documents, preserving their condition during archival retention, and keeping them organized.
How do you store office paperwork?
- Separate documents by type. ...
- Use chronological and alphabetical order. ...
- Organize your filing space. ...
- Color-code your filing system. ...
- Label your filing system. ...
- Dispose of unnecessary documents. ...
- Digitize files.
How do you store company information?
Your business information always needs to be kept safe so make sure to find a storage unit and put the papers into labeled binders. Classify your documents right and protect them from dust and temperature. Finally, you should also create digital copies of all the documents so you have a backup!
Where do I keep all my documents?
Saving your files to the cloud lets you access them from anywhere and makes it easy to share them with family and friends. To save documents online with OneDrive, sign in to Office. With a document open in an Office program, click File > Save As > OneDrive.
Where do we keep documents?
Keep these types of records in a safe deposit box or a fireproof, waterproof, burglar-proof home safe—with a list of the contents of the box in your home file. Due to the danger of identity theft consider destroying any documents you decide that are out-dated and should be discarded.
Where to keep your birth certificate?
Keep one copy in a safe deposit box and another in a locked safe at home. Every family member has a birth certificate. Make copies to keep in your files at home and keep the originals in a safe deposit box. You may need to access the information on birth certificates, so keeping a copy close by is a good idea.
How should documents be stored?
Physical documents can benefit from being stored in a protected location, especially secure off-site facilities, such as ours! Your business could also have your own secure location to prevent theft of your files, but ensure it is equipped with high-standard theft deterrents, such as CCTV and alarm systems.
How do you store employee documents?
Documents should be kept in a secure facility, document management system (DMS), or in cloud storage with restricted access to respect employee data privacy.
How do companies store files?
Backup devices can include physical devices like HDD and SSD, but many companies are choosing cloud-based backup software or applications that store backed-up data off-site, with easy access from anywhere.
What is the best place to store documents?
- Wallet. You are, obviously, very limited in what you can keep in such a small space. ...
- Safe Deposit Box. You can rent a safe deposit at your bank or credit union for a small annual fee. ...
- Fireproof Home Box. ...
- Attorney. ...
- Out-of-Area Friend or Relative. ...
- Online or Digital Storage.
How long do you keep old utility bills?
One year is the standard, in case of billing errors or disputes. I'd probably go ahead and make it a little longer. Keep them for one year. Really, I think you should just get the electronic statements where available.
Where to put paperwork?
Keep your essential paperwork in an easy-access spot that's out of sight. Install built-in shelves and pockets on the interior of a shallow cabinet in the kitchen or office to store items that would typically clutter refrigerator doors, countertops, and desks. Closing the door conceals the storage area for a tidy look.
What business records should be kept forever?
Legal documents: It's best to keep business formation records, deeds, patents and trademark registrations, property appraisals, bill of sale documents, and other ownership records indefinitely.
When to shred business documents?
To be on the safe side, keep your business tax returns—plus the receipts and other documents that support your numbers—for seven years. This will cover just about any scenario that could come up. After that, you can destroy the supporting documents but keep your business tax returns permanently.
How long should I keep credit card statements?
Documents that should be shredded include the following: Credit Card Statements: Keep them for 60 days unless they include tax-related expenses. In these cases, keep them for at least three years.
What paperwork should you keep and for how long?
Pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2) Property records / builder contracts / improvement receipts (keep until property sold) Sales receipts (keep for life of warranty or life of the item on large purchases) Warranties and instructions (keep for life of product)
What are the three most important documents?
Learn about the United States' founding documents, known together as the Charters of Freedom. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights established the government's structure and continue to secure the rights of American citizens.
How to keep track of important documents?
You may want a physical filing cabinet filled with folders, or a digital version to hold electronic or scanned copies. You can begin to digitize some records by choosing paperless billing and electronic delivery of statements. Then, download those statements as PDFs and drop them into your digital filing system.