Who administers the document-retention policy?

- The next thing to consider is,…who administers the document retention policy?…This is the proverbial "hot potato."…Nobody wants to be responsible for a policy…that may have implications down the road…for defense in a litigation…or some kind of an IRS audit.…Nevertheless, a document retention policy…is not effective if no one administers it.…As such, the document retention policy itself should address…who is going to be designated to implement and oversee it.…

Who's in charge?…Pick one person.…Potential candidates include…members of your administration…or folks on your accounting staff,…people in your human resources department,…or people in your IT department.…The person in charge does not need to be involved…in every aspect of the administration…of a document retention policy.…Rather, they should be empowered to oversee the policy…and to designate others…to communicate the policy requirements…to all of your staff and employees,…to monitor compliance with the policy…in each of your departments,…and to conduct annual audits and evaluations of the policy…