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Put an End to Pilfering

A bookkeeper hooked on lottery tickets pleaded guilty to embezzling $2.3 million from a medical office. She was able to help herself to her bosses’ money for more than three years because she was the sole keeper of the books.

It’s not uncommon for a single person to handle key operations at small businesses. That’s why they’re easy prey for in-house thieves. The owners are often too trusting or too busy running their businesses to give anti-theft measures a priority. While most employees are honest, it’s paramount you make sure your business isn’t vulnerable to those who aren’t.

The U.S Small Business Administration suggests a few simple measures: Divide key tasks such as inventory and bookkeeping among several staff members. Establish an employee-awareness program to help your employees help you detect theft, and formulate a clear policy about the crime and the punishment.

Whatever measures you take, consider them as mere supplements to good-old fashioned vigilance.