Five signs of embezzlement hiding in ordinary books

Embezzlement rarely looks like theft. It looks like ordinary business. These are five patterns we see again and again.

1. One person controls too much. The same person records, approves and reconciles.
2. Vendors that do not quite exist. A payee with a post office box, or a name close to a real supplier.
3. Reconciliations that are late or missing. Unreconciled accounts are where problems hide.
4. Unexplained adjustments. Write-offs, voids and credits without support.
5. A reluctance to take time off. Some schemes only work while the person is present.

None of these proves fraud. Together, they are a reason to look. If you suspect a loss, our fraud investigation team can trace it, and our internal controls consulting and fraud prevention training help stop it from happening again. The fix is usually simple: split duties, review the bank statements yourself, and ask for support.