Keeping precise records can help you track the performance of your business. You won’t be able to easily spot patterns, calculate ratios, or make future decisions without these records. These records are also required to back up your financial statements as well as when filing tax returns. These include income statements (profit and loss statements) and balance sheets.
The majority of states have departments of corporation or secretary of state offices that require businesses to file a formal statement of ownership, and most have made these documents available online. You can search these records by name of the business and websites usually provide a list with the names of the officers and directors and their addresses as well as other information about the business. Certain private companies or firms make directories of their businesses. These directories can list the headquarters city or city where a company is registered. Typically, directories include contact information, as well as the chief officer or the officers of the company as well as a brief overview on the kind of business in which the firm is involved.
Many cities require that every person or company operating an activity within the city register, and a lot of cities have placed these documents online. Some counties keep fictitious company name indexes in which the top executives of a partnership as well as their addresses are listed. Certain states maintain an inventory of all names used in fictitious business. Counties, the secretary of state and corporate departments have made these available online.