What and where is an accounting address?

Following the amendment to the Seychelles International Business Companies Act on 27 December 2011, all Seychelles IBCs must notify the Registered Agent (that's us) where they keep their accounting records. It states that the accounts shall be kept at the registered office or such other place as the directors think fit. If they are kept at another place, the directors must notify the registered agent and also the registered agent of a change of address within 14 days.

To avoid the cost of shipping documents to Seychelles, all our clients keep their accounting documents at an intermediary's address or at their own address. Many intermediaries were already providing the service (document filing and retention) to their clients prior to the change, although it should be noted that directors of an IBC have always had a duty to maintain accounting records and other documents of the IBC. The new requirement only applies to the communication of an address.

It should also be noted that furthermore, state [current_date format='F, Y'], no obligation to prepare, audit or file financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement).

"Accounting records" are defined as "documents relating to assets and liabilities of the business, including receipts and disbursements, sales and purchases, and other transactions;". These documents can be kept at the accounting address in what is known as a "shoe box" so there is no need to employ an accountant.

You can find more and further information in our Lexicon/Glossary or in the IBC Act.