Trust Accounting Is a Control System, Not Just a Ledger
Most compliance failures come from inconsistent process, not bad intentions. Software should enforce separation, approvals, and traceability by default.
Minimum Control Set
- Separate trust and operating accounts at the system level.
- Immutable audit log for edits and adjustments.
- Role-based permissions for payments and reconciliations.
- Dual-review workflow for owner disbursements.
- Exception reporting for negative balances and stale deposits.
Operational Cadence
Run daily exception review, weekly balance checks, and monthly full reconciliation. Consistency matters more than complex process.