Why a one-off search is no longer enough
A search result is accurate on the day it is run and becomes less reliable with every day that follows. Many practices treat a search as a one-time step at onboarding or at the start of an engagement, which means the information on file may have already changed by the time it is next relied upon.
This matters more as ongoing due diligence expectations grow. Since the tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms commenced on 1 July 2026, accounting practices have been working through new obligations, and keeping client entity information current is a practical foundation for meeting them. A practice that learns of a director change or ownership update at the moment it happens is better placed than one that discovers it at the next review.
What is continuous entity monitoring?
Continuous entity monitoring is the ongoing tracking of companies and individuals so that a practice is alerted when details such as directors, ownership or company status change. Rather than relying on a one-off search that reflects a single point in time, the practice receives timely alerts and can act on a change as soon as it occurs, without needing to remember to search again.
How InfoTrack’s Entity Edge supports entity monitoring for accounting practices
Entity Edge brings monitoring, alerts and ordering into a single platform, so a practice can move from noticing a change to acting on it without switching between systems. The process follows three steps.
- Monitor. Keep companies and individuals in one place, across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
- Get alerted. Receive notifications of director changes, ownership updates and company status changes.
- Act. Order searches and documents directly in the platform when a change occurs.
Because the search and the alert sit in the same place, the practice does not need to rebuild a picture of the entity each time something changes, which reduces repeated searches and the rework that follows.
For most practices, the benefit of entity monitoring is a more reliable starting point. Staff work from information that reflects the current position of an entity, changes are identified closer to when they occur, and the time previously spent repeating searches can be directed to client work. Equally, a documented history of searches and activity helps a practice demonstrate the steps it has taken to keep its records up to date.
Practices considering how to keep client entity information current across a growing portfolio can explore how Entity Edge supports compliance for accounting practices here.