How do you archive invoices and accounting documents securely?
Quick answer (5 steps)
- Issued and received invoices are saved to the archive automatically the moment they are created.
- Every action (create, edit, delete) is recorded in a log with the user, date and time.
- Access to documents is controlled by role: accountant, administrator, viewer.
- Audit reports can be generated at any time, filtered by period or user.
- Export and external backup are available on demand, in ZIP or PDF format.
What the law says (in brief)
- Retention period: invoices are archived for at least 10 years from the date of issue (art. 110 of the Tax Code).
- Document integrity: electronic archiving must guarantee that documents cannot be altered retroactively (Law 135/2007).
- Access log: in case of an ANAF audit, a log of access to fiscal documents must be presented.
- Deleting invoices is not allowed — reversals are issued; the original document remains in the archive.
Practical examples
- Audit trail for a reversed invoice — a report showing: who created the original invoice, who initiated the reversal, on what date and time, and from which IP.
- Five-year archive report — 2020–2024, all issued and received invoices, exported as a ZIP for a tax audit.
- Annual external backup export — a ZIP of PDFs + JSON metadata, stored on an external server or in the cloud to protect against data loss.
- Accountant access report — filter the actions of an accountant user over a period, for an internal audit.
Common mistakes
- Deleting invoices from the system instead of issuing a reversal — this creates gaps in the archive and problems during an audit.
- No periodic external backup — if the server fails, you lose the archive.
- Not observing the 10-year retention period — risk of an ANAF fine.
- Uncontrolled access to documents — anyone can download or alter them without a trace in the log.
- Archiving on a local hard disk without an electronic signature — it does not prove the document's integrity in court.
How 4conta helps
- A secure archive with a full log of changes and access — you cannot alter an invoice without leaving a trace.
- A 10-year retention policy applied automatically, with an alert for documents nearing expiry.
- Instant audit reports, ready for ANAF inspections or internal audits.
- Export and external backup in a single click — a ZIP with PDF + metadata.
- Access is controlled by role; every action is recorded with the user, IP and timestamp.