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Team Member Spotlight: Rhonda Wilkins

At Incserv, our people are what make the difference – and we’re excited to introduce the folks that make this place special. Each quarter, we profile an Incserv team member, sharing a little bit about what they do, how they got here and what matters to them outside the world of incorporating services. In this installment, we sit down with client services representative, Rhonda Wilkins. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for taking the time to chat, Rhonda. Let’s start with a little bit about your role at Incserv. Let’s start with the obvious! When did you start working at Incserv and tell us about your position?

Thanks! So, I started working at Incserv in April 2022. I’m a Client Services Representative for the Corporate Division. 

What is the corporate division focused on? 

It’s a little bit of everything. I help with filings not only for Delaware, but jurisdictions nationwide. So it could be anything from EIN filings, company formations and qualification documents to nationwide document retrieval, beneficial ownership information report filings and document preparation such as affidavits and incumbencies. Each day it’s a little different! 

Sounds like you appreciate the variety.

I do. It keeps the job interesting! Every email, every phone call… They all have different asks from our clients.

Anything new and exciting that you could tell us about?

There is a new requirement from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that recently went into effect on January 1, 2024. It’s related to beneficial ownership reporting and virtually every entity in the United States has to comply with it. Our team is tasked to reach out to all clients and help them with their beneficial ownership reporting. This is all being done to help stop fraud and money laundering. It’s designed to help prevent terrorism funding and strengthen national security.

That sounds like a massive undertaking.

It is. We started by creating a whole new email system to help organize the federal request. We then reached out via email to all of our clients with the task of providing the names and beneficiaries of their companies through an intake form. We can either do it for them, or they can submit on their own. It can get complicated so I’m there to answer questions, provide support and help them through the process. 

Even though it seems like a tedious job, I like it. It’s the same for when you are doing a large filing for a client. There could be several documents in several states. This one is done, this one has an issue…it keeps you focused and alert!

Tell me about your team. How many people do you work with on a daily basis? 

There are about 10 of us in the corporate division. Some process large, multi-state filing requests and others are focused solely on Delaware. I do a little of everything!

That’s the truth. Talk to me about the Incserv company culture.

Incserv has a great office atmosphere. Everyone here gets along and works together and helps each other out. It’s refreshing. I’ve worked at other offices the environment was very draining. Here, I’ve never felt like that. 

Well, we’ve talked a lot about work. What about your free time? Favorite things to do? 

I work another job on the weekends so I don’t have much free time. But when I do I spend time with my boyfriend, Michael, and our dog Ricky by trying new wineries and breweries in the area. We also really like going to car shows.

rhonda

Car shows? Say more.

It started in 2020 when I got my car, a Lexus IS 300. Michael and I go to local shows in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. It’s mostly walking around to other cars and vendors and talking with the other owners about the car details. It’s something fun that we love to do together!

That’s great, Rhonda. Appreciate your time!

 

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Notes from the Delaware Division of Corporations’ User Meeting

A few weeks ago, members of the Incserv team attended the Delaware Division of Corporations’ User Meeting, a small quarterly gathering of registered agents that have online access to the state. Expectedly, the meeting focused on beneficial ownership. FinCEN representatives presented on the program’s recent rollout, its reception and learnings and best practices. Highlights include: 

File with a Respected, Established Vendor

Already, scams are afoot. FinCEN noted that it has seen illegitimate parties set up websites designed to look like proper BOI collection systems, only to result in the information collected selling on the dark web for upwards of $500. Whether you file on your own, with us or with a different vendor, please do your research to determine the legitimacy of the third party you work with. Find out how long a vendor has been in business. Do they have contact information on their website? Research their leadership team. Examine the domain of their website. Does it make sense? Are things spelled correctly? Use a tool like Who Is to potentially see who registered the domain and when. 

Communicating with FinCEN

Currently, the only way to communicate with FinCEN is through its online form. They will respond on a first come first serve basis. Phone support and live chat is coming. 

Slow Start for FinCEN IDs

So far, only a few thousand FinCEN IDs have been created. Here at Incserv, we use this functionality because we know that our CSRs will show up on the filings for which we are operating in an entity applicant role

Data Flow

Currently, only FinCEN has access to BOI data. Eventually, law enforcement will, followed by financial institutions (but only with consent): 

“FinCEN will permit Federal, State, local, and Tribal officials, as well as certain foreign officials who submit a request through a U.S. Federal government agency, to obtain beneficial ownership information for authorized activities related to national security, intelligence, and law enforcement. Financial institutions will have access to beneficial ownership information in certain circumstances, with the consent of the reporting company.”

No Paper… For Now

Currently, all BOI reporting is done digitally, including the ability to upload a PDF. However, FinCEN acknowledges that there is a portion of the population that needs a non-digital method to submit. FinCEN plans to address this issue soon.

As Always, We’re Here to Help

For all your BOI needs and questions, email cta@incserv.com