One reason for this is that such documents may fall into the wrong hands if they are thrown away along with the office garbage without first being shredded or otherwise made unreadable. Although, it may sound trivial to many practitioners, this basic precaution can save an accounting firm much embarassment. The fact is that confidential papers that are abandoned are no longer protected by the Fourth Amendment. Hence, should confidential documents be thrown away and be found by others with an interest in the information they contain, they can easily pose a danger to a firm's clients and to the firm itself, which may be held liable for inadvertent disclosure of confidential matters. To ensure this situation doesn't arise, accounting firms need to improve their nondisclosure procedures by instituting appropriate measures to guarantee client confidentiality.
Garbage presents a special problem for accounting firms.
Discarded workpapers, rough drafts, obsolete files, and computer printouts may contain confidential and compromising information that would be damaging to a client if they fell into the wrong hands. The firm may also be damaged by allowing it to happen. Rubbish could be a treasure trove for competitors, business associates and, of course, the government. This problem has been exacerbated by the proliferation of personal computers and copiers in every office. Once these materials reach the trash bin they become part of the public domain, accessible to anyone who wishes to look and remove items of interest.