Corporate Compliance
1. Introduction – We’ve talked a lot about the protection of personal assets that a corporate entity provides you. However, if you fail to adhere to the formalities of a corporation, then the court may still hold you personally responsible and liable at the end of a lawsuit.
2. Separate Everything – Don’t go to all of the trouble to set up a corporation and then fail to follow corporate guidelines that ensure you’re adequately protected. One red flag that will have courts ignoring the formation of your corporation is if you combine your personal and business activities, such as accounts and record keeping.
3. Organizational Meeting – At the launch of your corporation, you’ll want to hold your first meeting with the people involved in your incorporation process. Now is the time to issue your corporate stock and elect the board of directors and officers within the corporation.
4. Sample Bylaws – Page 1 – Precedent Bylaws you can use as a template
11. Stock Certificates – Hand out and process the acceptance of Stock Certificates. You can order your stock certificates or print them out yourself.
12. Banking Resolution – After handing out stock, have a banking resolution signed for the financial setup of the corporation.
13. Other Resolutions – Other resolutions you need to present for acceptance are a Resolution Accepting Stock Offers and a Resolution to Reimburse Expenses.
14. Logging Your Minutes – Every corporation has to have a minute book. You can get a basic ring binder or invest in a more businesslike leather-bound book.
15. Offer to Purchase Stock – Sample offer to purchase stock.
16. Offer to Sell Stock – Sample offer to sell stock.
17. Minute Book – Your minute book should include the minutes from the original organizational meeting and should cover the exact details of when it was called, who was present, and exactly what took place – from the signing of the waiver to the issuance of shares.
18. Daily Operations for Corporate Compliance – We’ve already discussed the importance of separating everything between the corporation and your personal affairs. Financially, make sure you document everything when a transaction is made between the business and personal accounts.