John - Welcome!  Come back to visit us often.



I've never had to start a new filing system from scratch - but CountriGal's right - start with an outline.  Make sure you cover everything.  You would much rather get it right the first time, than have to either deal with an inadequate system or start all over.



In my department - we have Employee files in one area (locked), we have general administration files (vendors, charities, etc.) in another area, we have client files in another cabinet and then we have our portfolio companies in another set of cabinets.  Every piece of paper to be filed is coded - i.e., XYZ/Administration; ABC/employee, etc.



It's not much, but I hope this helps.



north carolina