Learn about the principles of recordkeeping, why it matters for businesses, and what recordkeeping systems businesses can take advantage of.
Recordkeeping is the method of keeping track of business transactions and activities either manually or digitally. Common records that a business should keep include correspondence, accounting, employee, and progress records, and more. Doing this enables businesses to run smoothly and allows business owners to accurately monitor their progress towards their goals.
Depending on the type of record, good recordkeeping practice will vary and there are plenty of helpful resources out there that provide guidance in doing so. While some of them may be overwhelming, good recordkeeping practices can be simplified by learning and understanding the basic principles. According to ISO 15489, regardless of form or structure, good recordkeeping requires a record to possess certain characteristics. These characteristics can serve as guiding principles for good recordkeeping, which are as follows:
Having a good recordkeeping system helps in creating a solid foundation of information; information that a business relies on for running a safe and quality business operation. Below are some advantages that businesses can gain when practicing good recordkeeping:
Good recordkeeping acts as a powerful risk mitigation tool. It can help businesses comply and stay compliant with a range of laws and regulations and industry standards. It also helps provide proof that decisions and appropriate actions have been carried out, should it be questioned or challenged by external parties or business clients. With a recordkeeping system in place, risks of confidential information leaking are eliminated by the process of destroying the information in a timely way.
In sum, recordkeeping helps in reducing risks associated with litigation and potential penalties. However, it is not limited to those types of risks only. It can also protect employees from risks that can harm them physically, emotionally, and mentally. These include the risks that are associated with their work tasks or the workplace environment. Employers should keep records concerning operational activities being done by their employees along with (Human Resources) HR-related documents. These are all beneficial in investigating, resolving, and even preventing incidents concerning employees and the workplace.
Aside from keeping track of compliance and financial aspects, recordkeeping also enables businesses to monitor progress towards goals and their overall stability. As a business grows, keeping informed of all the things going on in the business becomes a challenge. This is where good records become even more pivotal for the business. Good records are able to provide leaders and business stakeholders detailed insights regarding the performance of their employees, tools and systems, and processes in place. Information from various business records serves as an instrument for in-depth analyses in determining which business assets are effective or in need of replacing, modifying, or eliminating.
As the business continues to grow, challenges of sustainability and accountability become even more evident. Implementing good recordkeeping practices enables businesses to safeguard and preserve important information and company knowledge. Recordkeeping gives businesses the opportunity to use a data mine that can bring in commercial advantage, and provides business intelligence for future planning and decision making.
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According to the Government of Manitoba, a recordkeeping system is a method of how records are “captured, organized, accessed, protected, retained and destroyed in accordance with approved records schedules.” Businesses should decide on which system is the most appropriate. Below are two types of recording systems:
Manual recordkeeping uses the traditional pen-and-paper method. Usually, this system is used by businesses who are just starting out until they transition to a computerized process. But there are some who continue to use the manual system up to this day, since they find this more adequate for their recordkeeping needs. Manual recordkeeping uses mediums such as journals and ledgers to keep track of business transactions. This type of system is low-cost and easy-to-use as well. However, it puts businesses and entrepreneurs at a disadvantage when it comes to the time and effort exerted for maintaining it.
Digital recordkeeping uses technology and devices. With the rapid growth of technology, a lot of manual business processes have become automated. Recordkeeping is no exception. Electronic form templates, applications, and softwares are readily available to support recordkeeping activities. Using this type of system may require money, additional skills and knowledge, but as a result, recordkeeping tasks are accomplished at a much faster pace and are more accurate.
In deciding which is the most appropriate recordkeeping system, it is best to consider if there are any policies and requirements set by relevant legal bodies.
Recordkeeping doesn’t have to be a pain. Save time and save on paper. SafetyCulture is a mobile-first platform that enables teams to create and manage records related to safety, quality, and efficiency. It is able to provide a digital paper trail that’s easy to file, locate, retrieve, and share across teams, managers, or clients.
As long as needed. There is no standard length of time for keeping records. It depends on the validity of data recorded. In some cases, records will have to be kept for a specific amount of time. It’s best to consult local or regional authorities and consider their requirements and those otherwise relevant.
Below are some examples of laws and regulations mandated by the government and other legal bodies:
Jai Andales is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. As a content specialist, she creates well-researched articles about health and safety topics. She is also passionate about empowering businesses to utilize technology in building a culture of safety and quality.
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