Good Employees Gone Bad: Curb Theft and Fraud During Down Economy with Smart Bookkeeping
BookKeeping Express Offers Employee Theft and Fraud Protection Advice to Small Business Owners
August 05, 2009 // Franchising.com // McLean, VA – Keeping with the unfortunate truth that in desperate times even trustworthy employees will go to desperate measures, today's economic situation is giving way to employee theft and fraud. The most steadfast employees who would never think of committing fraud against their employers are more willing to take unlawful risks in order to have some extra money in their pockets.
A survey in 2008 conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) found that U.S. organizations lose seven percent of their annual revenue to fraud. Based on the 2008 GDP, this is approximately $994 billion in fraud losses and in the past 12 months, employees accounted for 48 percent of those cases.
According to Greg Jones, CEO of BookKeeping Express Enterprises, "the highest level of theft in white collar crime comes from bookkeepers." BookKeeping Express is a national company focused on providing certified bookkeeping services to small businesses.
Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are most vulnerable to occupational fraud, and have suffered the most with a median loss of $200,000. The most common of these small business fraud schemes were check tampering and fraudulent billing, according to Jones. Shoplifting makes up for the smallest amount of theft in a business, he added.
BookKeeping Express' certified bookkeepers have picked up on employee theft from their bird's eye view as an outsourced aid, and were then part of the discovery and recuperation process on behalf of their clients.
Bob Stocker, president and Chief Operating Officer of BookKeeping Express offered small business owners advice and examples of signs that might indicate an employee is stealing.
In the case that inventory has increased or decreased yet sales have remained the same, it is likely that someone is being deceitful. Furthermore, "a change in a standard operating procedure when it comes to bookkeeping reporting is always a cause for concern," he said. "As a certified, outsourced service, we have picked up on theft when there were suddenly new routines involving fewer formalities."
"We always advise businesses to assign more than one person to keep track of bookkeeping," Stocker added. "Theft is more likely if there is only one set of eyes on the books. We [at BookKeeping Express] have three levels of people looking at the books to protect ourselves from theft."
Business owners can also cover their bases by requesting backup documents to accompany unsigned checks and unapproved expense reports, Stocker said. The largest percentage of fraud was related to billing schemes where an employer "unknowingly issued a payment" by submitting invoices for fictitious goods or services, inflated invoices or invoices for personal purchases, misuse of the company credit card and check tampering.
In addition to requesting backup documents, Jones said that business owners can take even further precautions and have their credit card and bank statements sent directly to their homes. They should initial all items so that the bookkeeper sees the owner has seen and approved them, he said.
Finally, he advised that, "outsourcing your bookkeeping duties is a safeguard to theft. Outside providers are usually credible and less likely to be dissatisfied with your business." In the case that something looks wrong, he said that bookkeepers should alert their supervisor as soon as possible. If it is the supervisor they suspect is behaving dishonestly, they should alert another superior they feel they can trust.
Bookkeeping Express Provides Opportunity for Entrepreneurs to Fill Massive Void with Rapidly Expanding Franchise
Bookkeeping Express is an affordable franchise opportunity tailored for today's transitioning professional. As, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, the franchise represents an opportunity to fill a massive void in the United States small business community.
"During my years as a small business owner and after launching several new businesses, I have seen owners and managers flail with inefficient bookkeeping services," Jones added. "Bookkeeping Express is bringing to market a small business savior."
With more than 28 million small businesses around the United States, Bookkeeping Express offers a much-needed service to companies that are not equipped or do not wish to handle accounting responsibilities such as setting up charts of accounts and general ledgers, monthly data entry, processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, producing monthly reports and tax reporting. Plus, Bookkeeping Express utilizes a Custom Flex Pricing Model that is based on the clients' needs instead of a one fits all, hourly billing approach.
As part of the Bookkeeping Express franchise model, all locations will offer the BKE Connect system, which allows businesses access to all bookkeeping files remotely through an outside server, as well as a dashboard that clearly and visually 'sums' up the business' operations for thorough analysis. Two options available to Bookkeeping Express investors include Master or Area Development territories that can be operated out of home-based or commercial space locations; per territory start-up fees run under $50,000
About Bookkeeping Express
Bookkeeping Express, a national company focused on providing professional bookkeeping practices to small businesses, was founded in 1984 in California and grew to over 150 locations through licensing agreements. In 2007, Greg Jones, along with Bob Stocker and Merritt Green, purchased the company and launched the new business model in McLean, Virginia in January of 2008. Currently, there are 16 franchise units and two corporate offices in operation in 10 states, covering 121 territories. Bookkeeping Express is currently registered to franchise in 41 states.
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