Category Archives: Internal Controls

I Think My Bookkeeper is Embezzling…

  By E.T. Barton | October 10, 2011 - 9:03 pm | Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls
22 Comments

Believe it or not, I hear this statement all the time:  “I think my bookkeeper is embezzling.”  Usually, this sentence is followed up with, “How do I find out?” If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, then you will already be familiar with the Diary of a Bad, Bad Bookkeeper series and you will already be familiar with Betty Bookkeeper and her twisted ways.  You will probably sympathize with “the Moron Boss” (readers words, NOT mine) and you will already have decided that “This could never happen to me.” The sad truth is…it happens ALL THE TIME.  What … Continue reading →

6 Easy Things You Can Do Monthly to Prevent Financial Fraud

  By Alison Ball | September 28, 2011 - 10:32 pm | Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls, Spotlights
7 Comments

Alison Ball has been working at Intuit for 5 ½ years leading several different large scale educational initiatives for Accounting Professionals and creating the certifications programs for Intuit’s ProAdvisor Program.  Prior to that, she held various positions in Finance and Accounting, including being a QuickBooks Consultant, and a Controller at the local County Hospital.  You can find out more about Alison at http://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonball, or more about her QuickBooks certification training programs at http://accountant.intuit.com/training. ************************************************************************************************* The Scam: I once heard a story about a bookkeeper who stole several thousand dollars from a company she worked for. From my understanding, the bookkeeper … Continue reading →

Diary of a Bad, Bad Bookkeeper: A Warning Sign

  By E.T. Barton | September 11, 2011 - 9:08 pm | Diary of a Bad Bookkeeper, Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls
27 Comments

Dear Diary, Today sucked… and I mean, straight up sucked. There I was, minding my own business, when in walks the boss with a receipt. On the receipt are stamped the letters C.O.D. It was from one of our vendors that apparently hasn’t been paid in so long, they’ve changed our account from credit to C.O.D. “What is this, Betty?” the boss asked me. “Why has ABC Hardware turned our credit account into a Cash-on-Delivery account? I’ve been with them for five years, and they’re saying we’re three months behind in our payments. I told Bill – the boss over … Continue reading →

3 Ways Accounting Systems Can Save Your Small Business

  By Brian Stovall | August 21, 2011 - 6:44 pm | Internal Controls, Spotlights
4 Comments

Brian Stovall has more than 15 years experience in accounting, finance, technology, and strategic and operational planning. He provides technology driven tax, accounting, and business advisory services to small businesses, their owners, and individuals in the metro Atlanta area and nationwide. His mission is to empower small businesses and individuals with the same technologies used by their larger counterparts, while at the same time saving them money.  You can learn more about Brian at his websites: www.thebricogroup.com and www.thetechaccountant.com. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy, being that small businesses play such an important role in the American … Continue reading →

Bookkeepers – Have You Protected Your Own Backside?

  By E.T. Barton | July 18, 2011 - 7:46 pm | Bookkeeping, Case Studies, Fighting Fraud, Internal Controls, Money Saving Tips, Step-by-Step Instructions, Virtual Bookkeeping
11 Comments

Hello Readers (and especially the Bookkeepers), Today, I am going to talk about something that is really close to home for me.  I’m going to talk about ME!  (Yay!… My favorite subject.)  Okay – all kidding aside.  Something interesting happened to me this weekend.  This past weekend, I was actually accused of being in collusion with an Embezzler for the first time EVER!  ME!  The Embezzler Slayer (a term I’ve lovingly dubbed myself).  The Creator of the Diary of a Bad, Bad Bookkeeper.  I kid you not.  Someone actually said to my face that they believed embezzlement happened when I … Continue reading →