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Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting: An Accountant's Guide to Client Compliance

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Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting: An Accountant's Guide to Client Compliance

June 10, 2024     BY Admin

In today's regulatory environment, BOI reporting has been the linchpin in transparency and compliance in business. Under the Corporate Transparency Act, reporting organizations must detail information related to beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. As such, it is both an opportunity and a challenge for accountants to ensure that their clients navigate such complex compliance obligations and thus avoid the accompanying penalties.

This guide will explain the basics of BOI reporting, focusing on what the accountant does in this process, and steps that you can take to help your clients stay up-to-date.

1. Create Data Collection and Management System

The time-consuming part in BOI reporting is acquiring all the required data. Come up with a standardized way of data collection that comprises the following:

Automated data entry forms for receiving necessary data from customers.
Secure storage solutions for handling and protecting sensitive information.
Tracking and reminder systems to ensure clients provide information on time.
Using a dedicated compliance platform, like BOI Fincen Filings, will make it much easier to collect and verify information to avoid human mistakes and missed deadlines.

2. Verify Information for Completeness and Accuracy

Incorrect or incomplete information may lead to delayed filing or non-compliance. Accountants should:

Check the clients' submissions for any missing or inconsistent information.
Cross-check as appropriate, especially when identification documents are issued by the government, like a passport or driver's license.
Advise clients in advance if more information is needed or corrections need to be made.
In this added step, accountants may prevent clients from facing consequences due to a faulty submission.

3. File the BOI Report

Accountants can file the BOI report directly with FinCEN on behalf of their clients. The requirements in this step are:

a. Final review of all information collected.
b. It presents the submission to a valid portal or submission channel delivered from FinCEN.
c. Any forms of confirmation whether as receipt or others just so it can be tracked as actually presented to the FinCEN and is neither causing a breach of its laws and regulations.
d. On that matter, it serves clients for proper evidence as evidentiary compliance on an occurrence of an allegation that is being audited, which can serve valuable.
e. Be on the update about any regulatory changes happening.

4. The Corporate Transparency Act and reporting requirements with BOI are relatively new. Regulatory updates or changes can occur at any time. Stay on top of updates to CTA and discuss with clients as needed. To keep engagements easier, consider mailing periodic compliance newsletters or reminders about the upcoming due dates of these items.
This is going to change the game for accountants and clients alike. BOI Fincen Filings has features that pertain to BOI compliance, such as:

a. Data collection and verification: The automation of data collection and verification will reduce manual inputs and increase accuracy.
b. Storage and tracking: This keeps sensitive information safe while allowing accountants to monitor submissions.
c. Deadline alerts and reminders: This minimizes the chances of missing important filing dates.
d. Seamless filing: One can directly provide an attachment link to FinCEN for easy, hassle-free, and time-friendly filings.
e. Digital compliance makes the task of an accountant simpler because they can do more administration in less time; with digital tools, peace of mind is built through easy compliance for their clients.

Conclusion

BOI reporting under the CTA can be a bit cumbersome at first, but the right approach makes it an opportunity for accountants to reinforce trust and demonstrate value. Accountants can guide clients through compliance, simplify the reporting process, and provide ongoing support in order to help clients avoid penalties and build a strong foundation of transparency.

As regulatory environments change, proactive and automated solutions will be necessary for accountants to protect the interests of their clients. With a strategic approach toward BOI reporting, accountants can enhance client relationships while fostering a more transparent, compliant business landscape.