How often must the board conduct financial examinations of books and records for each seller?

The requirement for financial examinations of books and records for each seller in Missouri is established to ensure compliance with state regulations and to promote financial accountability within the funeral industry. Conducting these examinations every 5 years allows the board to adequately monitor and assess the financial health of funeral service providers while also providing sufficient time to address any discrepancies or issues that may arise. This interval strikes a balance between maintaining regulatory oversight and allowing funeral homes to operate effectively without being overly burdened by excessively frequent reviews.

In contrast, examinations that occur more frequently, such as every year or every 2 years, could impose a heavier administrative burden on the sellers. Additionally, longer intervals, like every 10 years, would likely not provide adequate oversight and could lead to significant compliance issues going unaddressed for prolonged periods. Thus, the 5-year timeline is designed to ensure ongoing monitoring without overwhelming the funeral providers.