The statements should also be reconciled to the agency management system and the accounting system. If the agency does not have one of the more sophisticated management systems to track monthly commissions, it is recommended that all of the monthly commissions be entered into a simple spreadsheet as depicted below. While some states may not require an agency to maintain a separate trust account, it is highly recommended that two separate accounts be maintained. The Internet is filled with stories of agency owners being prosecuted and losing their licenses for improperly using trust funds to make payments in their operating accounts.

• Our team of insurance agency accounting professionals are able to go beyond bookkeeping to provide reports and analysis critical to making confident and sound decisions when running your agency.
• When it comes to tax and financial matters, we understand you are looking for someone who you can trust and have enough expertise to deal your difficult matters.
• We will look at specific reports that will help you keep track of your billing information.
• By adopting accrual accounting, insurance agencies can better align their financial records with the timing of transactions, giving a more accurate portrayal of their financial standing.
• This section explores the key elements of regulatory compliance and reporting requirements in insurance accounting.

Roadside assistance provided with an automobile insurance policy

A graduate of Purdue University in 1982, Kevin began his insurance career at the family insurance agency, Cardinal Insurance, in 1986. His primary task was to help his father with a computer that was given to the agency by one of their carriers. Seeing the potential in the technology, Kevin implemented a comparative rating program and launched the agency into the world of agency management in 1989.

Timing of Revenue for Brokers, Agencies and Third-Party Administrators

Of course, we hope insurance agents act in accordance with laws and ethical standards at all times. But, when they don’t, all parties in their sales channels have a responsibility to act. Thanks to changing federal laws, carriers and other insurance institutions face scrutiny in how they respond to cybercrime. As the industry tries to move into a digital world, this puts special emphasis on business entities’ digital compliance practices. Carriers’ duties to renew appointments may be somewhat more straightforward because, in most states, appointment renewal deadlines for all agents are at the same time.

Accounting That works for Your Agency

Bookkeeping plays a pivotal role in assessing an agency’s financial health and identifying areas for improvement. By regularly tracking cash inflows and outflows, agencies can identify patterns and predict potential cash flow issues before they become critical. This foresight allows for timely adjustments to be made, such as managing accounts receivable more efficiently or adjusting spending habits, ensuring a healthy cash flow that supports the agency’s overall financial stability.

• This comprehensive guide dives into essential bookkeeping and accounting tips tailored for insurance agencies, empowering you to navigate the financial landscape confidently.
• Accrual accounting offers a more comprehensive picture by matching revenues and expenses when they are incurred, rather than when they are received or paid.
• Consultant
• Her management experience includes overseeing a large commercial lines staff at a middle market agency.
• With a good agency management system, good trust accounting requires no more effort once your bookkeeper is educated on the subject.
• Life insurance companies, whose liabilities are longer term commitments, have a greater portion of their investments in residential and commercial mortgages.

Contract costs

Where companies provide services and generate revenues on a cost-plus basis, they recognize revenue consistent with the completion of each performance obligation. Most P&C agencies do not account for COGS sold because there is no inventory sold by an agency. Some accountants may choose to show commission payments made to the agency’s producers on the COGS line, but they are usually handled as regular accounting for insurance agencies expenses. For retail agencies, it is best to not include a COGS entry and for any agency engaged in any wholesale operations, the COGS entry should be the commissions paid to the outside agents. It is a fact that most agency owners did not especially like accounting classes — if they even took accounting classes in college — or they probably would be accountants rather than insurance agency owners.

In 2016, Megan moved to another independent agency working as a Producer and Account Manager for both Commercial and Personal Lines. Historical reasons still exist for not commingling monies, such as, it is simply better management. A good practice is to create a trust account specifically named “trust” account in order to have more banking protection if a bank was to go insolvent. https://www.bookstime.com/ Insurance companies are subject to regulatory restrictions regarding the types of investments they can hold and the amount of risk they can take. These regulations ensure that insurers maintain a conservative investment profile to protect policyholders. I have spoken to many accountants who are not providing any advice or recommendations to their agency clients.

• However, if the payouts exceed the amount of liquid assets the company has, it may have to file bankruptcy and potentially even be dissolved completely.
• She has been a regular speaker at the NetVu National Conference and NetVu Chapter meetings nationwide.
• Since this time she has been involved in all aspects of the agency including Personal Lines Account Manager and System Administrator.
• Make sure you are protected against inefficiencies and costly time-consuming processes!
• Accounting software provides real-time insights, allowing insurance professionals to monitor cash flow, identify trends, and assess the impact of financial decisions immediately.
• That may be, and often an agency can continue to run just fine while their balance sheet is a mess or the agency is upside down per their balance sheet.