---
title: "Check the form in which the corporation keeps its books of account"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-and-corporate-advisory/check-that-a-company-is-keeping-financial-records-for-the-statutory-peri/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A1-JU20261022-16-US"
practice_area: "Commercial & Corporate Advisory (contracts, company law, governance)"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check the form in which the corporation keeps its books of account

> From the description of the records the lawyer supplies, list whether they include books of account and whether they can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-and-corporate-advisory/check-that-a-company-is-keeping-financial-records-for-the-statutory-peri/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Commercial & Corporate Advisory (contracts, company law, governance)](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-and-corporate-advisory.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the description of the records the lawyer supplies, list whether they include books of account and whether they can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. Record any retention date only as the file states it. Do not express an audit opinion. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides whether § 224 is met. Stock ledgers, books of account and minute books may be kept on, or by means of, any information storage device, method, or one or more electronic networks or databases, if the records can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The corporation shall convert them upon the request of any person entitled to inspect them. The section does not state a seven-year retention period. The lawyer decides any retention period that comes from another law. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Check that a company is keeping financial records for the statutory period](https://ailawframework.com/practice/commercial-and-corporate-advisory/check-that-a-company-is-keeping-financial-records-for-the-statutory-peri.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the description of the records the lawyer supplies, list whether they include books of account and whether they can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. Record any retention date only as the file states it. Do not express an audit opinion.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Section 224 is a form-of-records rule. It is not a seven-year keeping rule.
- For the stock ledger, the same section adds conditions tied to §§ 219 and 220 and to Article 8 of Title 6. The lawyer reads those conditions before accepting an electronic ledger.

## Sources

- [Delaware General Corporation Law, Subchapter VII, including § 224 Form of records](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title8/c001/sc07/index.html) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Model Rule 1.1, Comment 8](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/comment_on_rule_1_1/) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*