Start with how the operation works
Accounting-firm insurance should reflect the services performed, credentials, client types, contracts, deadlines, records handled, payment practices, employees, and potential financial consequences of an alleged error. Bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll, audit, and advisory services can create different professional and cyber exposures. For general liability, general liability planning starts with how customers, vendors, tenants, and the public interact with the operation.
Operating details to document
- Description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
Coverage details to review
- Premises and ongoing operations liability
- Products and completed operations where applicable
- Contractual requirements and additional insured obligations
- Defense costs, occurrence limits, aggregates, and deductibles
Connect Risk Controls to the Coverage Review
A useful review goes beyond selecting a policy name. It connects current information to eligibility, policy structure, and the consequences of a significant loss.
- Match controls to the operation's most severe loss scenarios
- Assign responsibility and document inspections, training, and maintenance
- Track corrective action instead of relying on informal practices
Alleged calculation, filing, reporting, bookkeeping, payroll, or advisory errors
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Client-data loss, ransomware, privacy events, fraudulent instructions, social engineering, and funds-transfer loss
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Employee injury, employment allegations, office property loss, and interrupted operations
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Premises and ongoing operations liability
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Products and completed operations where applicable
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Contractual requirements and additional insured obligations
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Defense costs, occurrence limits, aggregates, and deductibles
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Information to have ready
- Description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
- Annual revenue and a clear description of operations
- Customer-facing activities and off-premises work
- Contracts, leases, and certificate requirements
- Currently valued loss history when available
Questions for the coverage review
Which accounting firms & bookkeepers risks could create the most severe loss?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do current values, classifications, limits, and deductibles reflect the operation?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
What operational changes, contracts, or dependencies should the insurance review address?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do all disclosed activities fit the policy classification?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Which contracts require special limits or endorsements?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this accounting firms & bookkeepers general liability guide?
Business owners and insurance buyers can use it to prepare for a focused review of loss prevention. It is educational guidance, not a quote or a substitute for policy terms.
What information should a accounting firms & bookkeepers account gather first?
Start with description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes, current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate, contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history, plus currently valued loss information when available.
Coverage descriptions are general. Eligibility, availability, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms vary by risk and market. Review actual policy documents with an appropriate insurance professional.