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How do you archive invoices and accounting documents?

How do you archive invoices and accounting documents securely?

Quick answer (5 steps)

  1. Issued and received invoices are saved to the archive automatically the moment they are created.
  2. Every action (create, edit, delete) is recorded in a log with the user, date and time.
  3. Access to documents is controlled by role: accountant, administrator, viewer.
  4. Audit reports can be generated at any time, filtered by period or user.
  5. 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.

See also:

Archive invoices and accounting documents securely