- Embezzlement is a white-collar crime in which an employee steals money or assets from their employer.
- Common embezzlement actions include falsifying expense reports, misappropriating company funds, overbilling, and skimming.
- Several warning signs can indicate embezzlement, such as unexplained losses or discrepancies in accounting records, an employee living beyond their means, etc.
- Business owners can prevent embezzlement by conducting background checks and internal audits and having clear financial policies.
- If you think that someone has committed embezzlement in your company, it is crucial to take fast action.
As a business owner, employee theft is one of the biggest threats you face. Embezzlement is a form of employee theft that can devastate business owners because it often goes undetected for months or even years, resulting in significant losses for the company. This blog post will explore embezzlement, how it occurs, and what you can do to prevent it from happening in your business.
What is embezzlement?
Embezzlement is a white-collar crime in which an employee steals money or assets from their employer. The theft can occur in various ways, such as stealing cash, manipulating accounting records, or diverting company funds to their accounts. Embezzlement can occur in any business, regardless of its size or industry.
It is also important to note that embezzlement is different from theft. Whereas theft involves taking physical property, embezzlement involves stealing money or assets from the business by manipulating records or finances.
How does embezzlement occur?
Embezzlement is often committed by trusted employees with access to company funds or assets. They typically exploit their positions of trust to steal from their employers. Some common ways embezzlement occurs include:
a. Falsifying expense reports
When an employee falsifies their expense report, they steal company funds by submitting false or inflated expenses for reimbursement. They may also submit receipts for personal purchases and pocket the reimbursement money.
b. Misappropriating company funds
This involves diverting company funds to their accounts or using company funds for personal reasons. This could include writing checks from the company accounts or transferring funds to their own accounts.
c. Overbilling
Some employees may inflate invoices or bills to their company to pocket the difference. They may also create false invoices or statements for services never rendered.
d. Skimming
This involves stealing cash from the company by not recording transactions or pocketing change from customer payments. Some employees may also steal inventory or products from the company and sell them for personal gain.
What are the signs of embezzlement?
Embezzlement can be challenging to detect, but there are some signs that business owners should look out for. Some of these signs include:
- Unexplained losses or discrepancies in accounting records
- An employee who is living beyond their means
- An employee who is reluctant to take a vacation or allow anyone else to handle their duties
- An employee who has financial problems or a history of money troubles
If you notice any of these signs, it is essential to investigate further to determine whether embezzlement has occurred. But note that these signs can also indicate other issues, and it is vital to conduct a thorough investigation before taking action. Don’t jump to conclusions or accuse an employee without proof.
How can business owners prevent embezzlement?
Preventing embezzlement requires a mix of proactive measures and internal controls. Some steps that business owners can take to prevent embezzlement include:
a. Background checks on new hires
You want to ensure that any new hires you bring on board have a clean criminal record and no history of financial misdeeds. This is especially important for positions that involve handling money or financial records.
b. Internal audits
Regular internal audits can help uncover discrepancies in accounting records or suspicious financial activity.
c. Clear financial policies
Having clear and concise policies on handling money and company assets can help reduce the risk of employee theft. Use a combination of physical and digital controls to ensure that policies are followed. A whistleblower system can also help employees feel safe reporting suspicious activity.
What should you do if you suspect embezzlement?
If you suspect embezzlement has occurred in your business, it is essential to act quickly. Engage the services of an experienced forensic accountant or a white-collar crime attorney who can help investigate the matter further. Depending on the severity of the theft, criminal charges may need to be filed against the employee.
If an employee is accused of embezzlement, handling the situation with discretion is important. Treat the employee with respect and give them the benefit of the doubt until all the facts are known. They can hire a criminal defense attorney to assist them in the legal proceedings and prove their innocence. This can help prevent the employee from being unnecessarily punished for a crime they may not have committed.
Embezzlement is a serious problem that can devastate a business’s finances and reputation. You can protect your business from this type of crime by understanding the signs of embezzlement, implementing internal control measures, and taking action quickly if you suspect theft. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and vigilance is key to keeping your business secure from embezzlement.
