I-9 Audits - Workforce Compliance and the Bottom Line: What CFOs Need to Know

Increased government I-9 audit activity makes employment eligibility compliance a timely financial risk issue for businesses of all sizes. Penalties can be significant even for small employers: one company with just nine employees faced $28,000 in penalties. Legal fees, management time, and potential operational disruptions can add to that financial exposure.

This nonpolitical, business-focused presentation will explore how CFOs can assess compliance risks, budget for audits, identify potential liabilities in acquisitions and staffing arrangements, and evaluate the costs and benefits of preventive internal I-9 reviews.

• Budgeting for compliance and audits: Understand the potential legal fees, internal staff demands, and penalties associated with employment eligibility audits and how to plan for those costs.
• Assessing financial exposure: Identify how gaps in workforce documentation and compliance controls can affect operating costs, staffing continuity, and business value.
• Identifying risks in corporate transactions: Recognize employment eligibility issues in acquisitions, restructurings, and staffing arrangements that can create unexpected liabilities or integration costs.
• Evaluating the investment in prevention: Compare the costs of an internal I-9 review, training, and stronger controls with the potential expense of responding to an audit or workforce disruption.

Kimberley Best Robidoux, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberleybestrobidoux/ is a Partner at WR Immigration in San Diego https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrimmigration/  and currently serves as Chair of the AILA National Verification and Documentation Committee. Ensuring compliance with employer I-9 and E-Verify worksite compliance requirements is critical for businesses, especially in today’s evolving regulatory landscape. 

Kimberley has successfully defended employers against I-9 compliance audits brought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations as well as investigations by the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. DOJ and regularly partners with companies to conduct in-house audits and training to proactively address worksite compliance matters. 

Her expertise helps businesses stay ahead of potential risks, whether preparing for a government audit or developing best practices for onboarding and retaining top talent from around the world.  Kimberley’s commitment to her clients goes beyond legal expertise - she is a trusted partner in helping businesses maintain compliance, mitigate risk, and build a strong, diverse workforce.