Resources

Secure Client Portal

The client portal is a secure method to transfer files back and forth between Shriver & Company and our clients. Enter your email address and password to access your secure client portal.

If a portal has not been created for you and you would like one created send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Express Upload - Use the window below to conveniently and securely upload files to us.

Client Portal FAQs

Electronic file storage considerations - The widespread use of technology to conduct personal and corporate business have resulted in an increase of electronically stored documents. Below are some things to consider when storing your sensitive information (i.e. tax returns, financial statements) electronically.

Develop a logical filing system or purchase third party document management software to facilitate quick access to stored documents
Documents should be regularly backed up to prevent loss of important information
When storing documents in a shared environment (corporate network) restrict access to the directories that contain your sensitive information to only those who you want to have access.
Never send an e-mail containing sensitive information, such as Social Security Numbers or bank account numbers, either in the message body or as an attachment. E-mail attachments can be easily intercepted by identity thiefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW SECURE IS MY DATA?
The Client Portal data hosting facility is known in the industry as a Level 4 data facility. This means that the data center maintains the highest levels of security; it offers fully redundant storage with climate control, power backup, site security and more. In addition, data stored at the facility is backed up to encrypted media with a clone of the encrypted media stored off-site.

The Client Portal uses 256-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption with password protected access. SSL is the standard for online banking and other secure transactions. Files are encrypted before being passed over the internet and while being stored on the Client Portal. The Client Portal also requires strong passwords to gain access - all user passwords must be at least 8 characters long and contain at least one letter and one number.

WE ALWAYS USED EMAIL BEFORE, WHY IS THE PORTAL BETTER THAN UNSECURED E-MAIL?
There are two main reasons: security and sending large files.

E-mail is convenient, however file attachments are not encrypted, meaning if someone were to intercept your message they would have access to your sensitive data. As a result many states have prohibited sending documents containing Social Security Numbers via unencrypted email. As mentioned above the Client Portal encrypts files for transmission over the internet as well as while being stored on the Client Portal.

The Client Portal allows any-size file to be uploaded, this is not the case with most e-mail clients. While many will allow files of around 5 MB in size, most e-mail systems will reject files that large. Some examples of large files include QuickBooks files, Peachtree backup files or 300 page PDFs of tax returns and supporting documents.

HOW LONG IS MY DATA STORED?
Files are stored on the client portal for a limited period of time, after which they will reach their expiration date and will automatically be deleted from your client portal. When you receive notification that a file has been added to your Client Portal we recommend immediate retrieval.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN A FILE IS AVAILABLE?
Any time a new file or document is placed on your Client Portal you will receive an e-mail notification. This e-mail will list the file name and portal name. You can then access your portal to view, download or print the file. Unfortunately the system will send a separate e-mail notification for each file uploaded, we hope to correct this in the future.

HOW DO I ACCESS THE CLIENT PORTAL?
The Client Portal is accessed via your computer internet browser using the URL: http://portal.shriverco.com. Your login ID will be an e-mail address you provide.

Federal law requires you to maintain copies of your tax returns and supporting documents for three years. However, if the IRS believes you have significantly underreported your income, or believes there may be indication of fraud, it may go back six years in an audit. To be safe, use the following guidlines:

Business Records to Keep...		Personal Records to Keep...
1 Year		1 Year
2 Years		3 Years
3 Years		7 Years
7 Years		Permanently
Permanently		Special Circumstances

Click to download a PDF version of the business records guide

Business records to keep for one year

Purchase orders (except purchasing department copy)

Business records to keep for two years

Receiving sheets
Requisitions
Stockroom withdrawal forms

Business records to keep three years

Bank reconciliations
Bank statements
Correspondence (general)
Correspondence (routine) with customers and/or vendors
Duplicate deposit slips
Petty cash vouchers
Sales commission reports

Business records to keep seven years

Accounts payable ledgers and schedules
Accounts receivable ledgers and schedules
Checks (canceled-see exception in permanent)
Contracts, mortgages, notes and leases (expired)
Employment applications (after termination)
Expense analyses/expense distribution schedules
Garnishments
Inventories of products, materials and supplies
Invoices (to customers, from vendors)
Notes receivable ledgers and schedules
Payroll records and summaries
Personnel files (terminated)
Purchase orders (purchasing department copy)
Sales records
Stock and bond certificates (cancelled)
Subsidiary ledgers
Time books/cards
Voucher register and schedules
Vouchers for payments to vendors, employees, etc (includes allowances and reimbursement of employees, officers, etc, for travel and entertainment expenses
Withholding tax statements

Business records to keep permanently

Accident reports/claims (settled cases)
Audit reports
Capital stock and bond records; ledgers, transfer registers, stubs showing issues, record of interest coupons, options, etc.
Cash books
Charts of accounts
Checks (canceled for important payments, i.e., taxes, purchases of property, special contracts, etc. Checks should be filed with the papers pertaining to the underlying transaction.)
Contracts, mortgages,notes and leases (still in effect)
Correspondence (legal and important matters only)
Deeds, mortgages, and bills of sale
Depreciation schedules
Financial statements (year-end, other optional)
General/private ledgers, year-end trial balance
Insurance policies (expired)
Insurance records, current accident reports, claims, policies, etc.
Journals
Minute books of directors, stockholders, bylaws and charters
Property appraisals by outside appraisers
Property records, including costs, depreciation reserves, year-end trial balances, depreciation schedules, blueprints, and plans
Retirement and pension records
Tax returns and worksheets, revenue agents' reports, and other documents relating to determination of income tax liability
Training manuals
Union agreements

Personal records to keep for one year

Monthly and quarterly mutual fund and IRA contribution statements until the year end statement arrives

Personal records to keep for three years

Credit card statements
Medical bills (in case of insurance disputes)
Utility records
Expired insurance policies

Personal records to keep for seven years

Supporting documents for tax returns
Accident reports and claims
Medical bills (if tax related)
Wage garnishments
Other tax-related bills

Personal records to keep permanently

Legal records
Important correspondence
Income tax returns
Income tax payment checks
Retirement and pension records

Special circumstances

Car records (keep until the car is sold)
Insurance policies (keep for the life of the policy)
Mortgages/deeds/leases (keep six years beyond the agreement)
Pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2)
Property records / improvement receipts (keep six years beyond the property sold)
Sales receipts (keep for the life of the warranty)
Stock and bond records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
Warranties and instructions (keep for the life of the product)
Other bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill)
Depreciation schedules and other capital asset records (keep for 3 years after the tax life of the asset)

With our commitment to provide you with the highest level of service we have assembled a variety of important resources to assist you in today's complex business and regulatory environment. You will find links to our current and past newsletters, a listing of important tax due dates, a records retention guide, links to our remote administration application and secure client portal.

Current Newsletter - Contains the current monthly newsletter as well as links to an archive of past and special edition newsletters

Tax Due Dates - Calendar of upcoming tax due dates

Record Retention Guide - Provides recommended retention period for common personal and business records

Remote Access - Enables us to gain access to your computer to assist in troubleshooting, training and for transferring large files

Secure Client Portal - Information and access to our secure client portal