Best Campaign Compliance Services for Independent Candidates

Campaign compliance services take the guesswork out of adhering to campaign finance laws and regulations. They connect political candidates and other groups with experts in the field of campaign finance law, helping campaigns navigate Federal Election Commission (FEC) and local regulations.

In this guide, we’ll cover the main benefits of investing in a campaign compliance provider. We’ll also go through our top picks for campaign compliance shops for independent, non-partisan, and third-party candidates.

Understanding Campaign Compliance

Campaign compliance is an important part of running an effective political campaign, whether you’re running for office at the local, state, or national level. Especially for independent candidates, campaign compliance can be an essential part of campaigning to stay focused on throughout election season.

A campaign compliance provider, also sometimes called a campaign compliance shop, is a specialized team dedicated to ensuring that your campaign follows all the legal requirements set by federal and local election authorities. 

These providers typically focus on the following areas of campaign finance:

• Campaign Finance Reports: Campaign compliance providers can prepare and submit financial reports to election commissions. These reports include details about campaign contributions, campaign expenditures, and other areas of campaign finance.

• Managing Campaign Contributions: Compliance providers can make sure that all donations a candidate receives are in compliance with campaign finance laws.

• Financial Advising: Political compliance shops can offer expertise as your campaign navigates the sometimes-confusing waters of campaign finance, helping you avoid potential violations and fines.

• Training for Campaign Staff: Some compliance providers offer training for campaign volunteers and staff members. This training helps everyone on your campaign team understand campaign finance laws and requirements.

Political compliance services can also perform additional functions, such as:

• Providing general legal advice

• Identifying and managing legal and financial risks

• Acting as a bridge or liaison between your campaign and election officials

• Assisting with the legal requirements of gaining ballot access

• Ensuring that campaign vendors hired by your campaign comply with campaign finance laws and regulations

Overall, campaign compliance providers can act like a referee or rule-keeper for your campaign,  helping your campaign stay in the clear of any fines or penalties as you take in donations and expand your reach. 

Different political campaigns have different compliance needs, depending on the size and scale of each campaign. Local campaigns for offices like city council or school board might not need extensive compliance services, but even small campaigns can benefit from consulting with an expert. Meanwhile, campaigns for mayor, state legislature, or similar roles might benefit from hiring a part- or full-time compliance officer. Still larger campaigns, like those for governor, attorney general, or U.S. Congress, can benefit from employing a full-time compliance team.

When choosing what level of support your campaign needs, remember that multiple options are available. From a free consultation to full-time support, campaign compliance services are here to help independent candidates and their teams navigate campaign finance with ease.

Best Political Compliance Services for Independent Candidates

Here are our recommendations for campaign compliance services:

#1: Local Law Office or CPA

While it might not seem like the most glamorous option to put first on the list, your local law office or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is often the best starting place for campaign compliance support. Especially for local political campaigns, a local accountant or lawyer can typically provide the services needed to run a successful campaign and navigate campaign finance regulations effectively. 

Wondering how to get started? Search for lawyers, CPAs, and law firms in your area, and see which groups have previous experience offering guidance to political campaigns.

#2: Premier Political Compliance

Based in Washington, D.C., Premier Political Compliance is a trusted option offering compliance services for local, state, and federal political campaigns and committees. Premier Political Compliance provides the following services:

• Filing campaign finance reports

• Screening campaign receipts and disbursements

• Bookkeeping 

• Managing regulatory audits, internal audits, and reconciliations

• Assisting with tax preparation

• Assisting with operations management

Reach out to Premier Political Compliance for more information on the provider’s offerings and pricing.

#3: Campaign Compliance Group

Campaign Compliance Group is another trusted compliance provider, based in Irvine, California. Campaign Compliance Group offers services for political candidates, PACs, and major campaign donors, among other clients. Previous clients have included U.S. House and Senate candidates, candidates for statewide elected offices in California, and local political candidates.

Campaign Compliance Group combines daily bookkeeping with campaign reporting services, working to ensure compliance with FEC and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regulations. Contact Campaign Compliance Group to learn more about the provider’s services and pricing.

Bonus: Free Campaign Finance Support for Independent Campaigns

GoodParty.org offers free support and campaign tools for independent, non-partisan, and third-party political candidates across the United States. Book a meeting today to talk with our team about campaign finance regulations and reporting. We’re here to provide support for your broader campaign strategy, all the way from campaign planning to election day.

You can get access to our free campaign finance checklist by signing up for GoodParty.org’s AI Campaign Manager. From filing for an EIN with the IRS to meeting filing deadlines, our checklist will walk you through the key steps of getting started with campaign finance. Get a free demo today to see how the AI Campaign Manager can streamline your campaign strategy and set your candidacy on the road to success.