# Compliance Monitor > Regulatory change tracking, filing deadline management, audit prep checklists, and compliance calendar maintenance for accounting and finance firms. Use when you need to track IRS/state deadlines, monitor regulatory updates (GAAP, FASB, IRS, state tax), prepare audit checklists, or manage client compliance calendars. NOT for legal advice, securities compliance (SEC/FINRA), or tax preparation itself — use a tax specialist for actual filing work. - Skill: `cslawyer1985/compliance-monitor` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cslawyer1985/compliance-monitor` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cslawyer1985/compliance-monitor/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Security - Author: cslawyer1985 (https://skillmd.com/u/cslawyer1985) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cslawyer1985/compliance-monitor --- # Compliance Monitor Skill Regulatory tracking, deadline management, and audit prep for accounting and finance firms. ## When to Use - Tracking federal and state tax filing deadlines for clients - Monitoring GAAP/FASB/IRS regulatory changes that affect client engagements - Generating audit preparation checklists - Managing compliance calendars and sending deadline reminders - Flagging upcoming obligations across a client portfolio ## When NOT to Use - **Actual tax preparation or filing** — use a tax professional and licensed software - **Securities/investment compliance** (SEC, FINRA, CFTC) — out of scope - **Legal advice** — always escalate to counsel - **Real-time regulatory databases** — this skill uses web search + known sources; always verify with primary sources - **International compliance** outside US federal/state — limited coverage --- ## Core Capabilities ### 1. Filing Deadline Tracking Track key IRS and common state filing deadlines: ``` Key Federal Deadlines (Tax Year 2025): - Jan 15: Q4 estimated tax payment (Form 1040-ES) - Jan 31: W-2 / 1099-NEC / 1099-MISC employer filing - Feb 28: Paper 1099 information returns to IRS - Mar 17: S-Corp / Partnership returns (1120-S, 1065) — or 6-month extension - Apr 15: Individual (1040), C-Corp (1120), FBAR (FinCEN 114), Gift Tax (709) - Apr 15: Q1 estimated tax payment - Jun 16: Q2 estimated tax payment - Sep 15: Q3 estimated tax payment; extended S-Corp/Partnership returns - Oct 15: Extended individual and C-Corp returns - Dec 31: Year-end planning cutoff (retirement contributions, charitable gifts, etc.) ``` To look up a specific deadline or extension: 1. Use `web_search` with query: `"[form number] [tax year] due date IRS"` or `"[state] [entity type] filing deadline [year]"` 2. Cross-reference with IRS.gov Tax Calendar: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/online-tax-calendar ### 2. Regulatory Change Monitoring Monitor for updates from key sources: **Federal Sources:** - IRS Newsroom: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom - FASB Standards Updates (ASUs): https://www.fasb.org/page/PageContent?pageId=/standards/accounting-standards-updates.html - AICPA Standards: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/professional-standards - Federal Register (tax regs): https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/internal-revenue-service **Search Pattern:** ``` web_search: "IRS [topic] [year] update" OR "FASB ASU [year] [topic]" OR "GAAP change [year] [industry]" ``` **What to watch for:** - New or revised tax forms - Rate/threshold changes (standard deduction, contribution limits, depreciation tables) - New reporting requirements (e.g., 1099-K threshold changes, digital asset reporting) - FASB ASUs affecting client financials (revenue recognition, lease accounting, credit losses) - State conformity with federal changes ### 3. Audit Preparation Checklists #### Financial Statement Audit Checklist **Pre-Audit (60-90 days before fieldwork):** - [ ] Confirm audit scope and materiality thresholds with engagement partner - [ ] Update permanent file: entity structure, key contracts, related parties - [ ] Request client PBC (Provided By Client) document list - [ ] Confirm trial balance tie to prior year audited financials - [ ] Identify significant accounting estimates (impairment, reserves, fair value) - [ ] Update risk assessment — new systems, transactions, personnel changes **PBC Document Request List (standard):** - [ ] General ledger (full year) - [ ] Bank statements and reconciliations (all accounts) - [ ] AR aging schedule and subledger - [ ] AP aging schedule and subledger - [ ] Fixed asset register with additions/disposals - [ ] Debt agreements, schedules, and confirmation responses - [ ] Lease agreements (ASC 842 schedules) - [ ] Payroll records and tax filings (941s, W-3) - [ ] Entity formation docs, minutes, and resolutions - [ ] Related party transaction schedule - [ ] Significant contracts entered/modified during year - [ ] Insurance policies and certificates - [ ] Prior year audit report and management letter **Fieldwork:** - [ ] Confirm cash — bank confirmations sent and returned - [ ] Test AR — confirmations, subsequent receipts - [ ] Test AP — search for unrecorded liabilities, subsequent disbursements - [ ] Inventory count observation (if applicable) - [ ] Test journal entries for unusual/late entries - [ ] Analytical procedures — fluctuation analysis vs. prior year and budget - [ ] Evaluate going concern indicators **Wrap-Up:** - [ ] Subsequent events review (S-1 and S-2 events) - [ ] Representation letter obtained - [ ] Contingencies and commitments confirmed - [ ] Disclosure checklist completed - [ ] Final quality review #### IRS Audit Response Checklist - [ ] Identify audit type: correspondence, office, or field - [ ] Note response deadline (typically 30-60 days from notice date) - [ ] Pull all documents related to questioned items - [ ] Prepare organized binder: chronological, tabbed by issue - [ ] Draft response letter — factual, concise, no volunteering - [ ] Identify potential penalties and abatement opportunities - [ ] Consider power of attorney (Form 2848) if CPA will represent - [ ] Document all communications with IRS (dates, contact names, reference numbers) ### 4. Compliance Calendar Generation To generate a compliance calendar for a client, collect: - Entity type (individual, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, LLC) - State(s) of filing - Fiscal year end - Special situations: payroll, sales tax, multi-state, nonprofit, foreign accounts Then produce a month-by-month action list with: - Deadline date - Form/filing required - Responsible party (client vs. firm) - Status tracking (pending / in progress / filed) **Example output format:** ``` CLIENT: Acme Corp (S-Corp, Texas, FYE Dec 31) COMPLIANCE CALENDAR — 2026 JAN 31 → W-2s to employees; 1099-NECs to contractors JAN 31 → File W-2s (W-3) and 1099-NECs with IRS MAR 17 → Form 1120-S due (or file 7004 extension) APR 15 → TX Franchise Tax Report due APR 15 → Shareholder K-1s delivered SEP 15 → 1120-S extended return due DEC 31 → Year-end tax planning review ``` ### 5. Regulatory Change Alert Workflow When asked to monitor for regulatory changes on a topic: 1. **Search** for recent updates: ``` web_search: "[topic] IRS 2026 update" web_search: "FASB ASU 2025 2026 [topic]" web_search: "[state] tax law change 2026" ``` 2. **Summarize** the change: what changed, effective date, who it affects, action required 3. **Flag impact** for known client types: - Individuals vs. businesses - Industry-specific (real estate, healthcare, manufacturing) - Size thresholds that trigger/exclude the rule 4. **Recommend action**: update workpapers, notify clients, revise checklists, or monitor further --- ## Usage Examples ### Example 1: Client Deadline Check "What are all filing deadlines for our S-Corp clients in Q1 2026?" → Generate list: 1099s (Jan 31), W-2s (Jan 31), 1120-S (Mar 17) or extension, state variants ### Example 2: Regulatory Alert "Has the 1099-K threshold changed for 2025?" → web_search for IRS 1099-K 2025 threshold → summarize current rule, effective date, client impact ### Example 3: Audit Prep "We have a financial statement audit starting in 6 weeks. What do we need?" → Run through Pre-Audit checklist, generate PBC request list, identify risk areas ### Example 4: Compliance Calendar "Build a compliance calendar for a new C-Corp client in Illinois, FYE June 30" → Map fiscal year to federal Form 1120 deadlines, IL corporate income tax, plus any payroll/sales tax obligations --- ## Key References - IRS Tax Calendar for Businesses: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/online-tax-calendar - FASB Standards & ASUs: https://www.fasb.org - AICPA Practice Aids: https://www.aicpa-cima.com - State Tax Authority Directory: https://taxfoundation.org/state-tax-agencies/ - FinCEN (FBAR, BSA): https://www.fincen.gov --- ## Important Disclaimers This skill provides compliance **frameworks and checklists** — not legal or tax advice. All deadlines should be verified against primary sources before relying on them. Tax law changes frequently; always confirm current rules with IRS.gov or a licensed tax professional before advising clients.