While Reviewing Some Client Files - I came across a number of instances that showcased a special group of people that we like to go out of our way to replace...Bad Bookkeepers!
First A Plumbing Contractor - He and his wife operate a successful plumbing service and repair company.
They Are Good Solid "Salt of The Earth" Contractors - We consulted with them using our Strategy System they decided the construction market best suited for them was plumbing, with the subset of residential and light commercial, and the sub-sub set of service and repair with on-call 24 hour nights and weekends services.
In The Early Years - They thought it would be a good idea to operate the business out of their home to save money. We advised against it; however, they decided to go for it. Our job is to offer the best advice possible given our extensive skills in Business Process Management, construction company ownership experience, and Construction Accounting expertise and then to support our clients in whatever decisions they make as best we can.
Everything Went Well - For the first few months and the one thing we strongly insisted upon them doing was ignored as it seemed to strange. We said always, always, lock your bedroom doors and make certain everyone could get out from the inside easily, without a key in an emergency.
After A Number Of Employees - The Bad Bookkeeper being the worst offender, had walked in on the couple while they were sleeping to ask a question or express a concern it finally made sense why we said lock the door. Unfortunately it was too late, the pattern or habit was firmly engrained and if the door was locked the employees would bang on it and yell loudly.
Second An Electrical Contractor - He and his wife operate a very successful electrical construction company specializing in working with residential remodel contractors.
There Were Similar Issues - With a twist. They had a detached shop / garage however since there was no kitchen or restroom the employees would come into the contractor's family living space including the bedrooms. It got ridiculous when the Bad Bookkeeper played Goldilocks and decide to take a quick nap on one of the beds.
Third A Residential Remodel Contractor - He operates a successful residential remodel construction company specializing upper end homes and modestly sized estates.
Familiarity breeds contempt - The bookkeeper spent the entire workday alone in the contractor's home and whenever the contractor was gone and nobody else was home this person would take several coffee breaks and open every drawer, closet, room, nook and cranny looking and taking a mental inventory of what this contractor had accumulated over many, many years of blood, sweat and tears in the construction industry. You see the construction company owner understood The Truth About The Construction Industry.
The Bad Bookkeeper Decided The Contractor Was A Member Of The 1% - And it was the Bad Bookkeeper to redistribute the wealth. It was suspected, but as far as I know never proven, the Bad Bookkeeper may have had something to do with the fact that while the contractor was on a much needed and deserved vacation that his house was stripped clean by some guys and a rental truck designed for moving.
The House Was Secluded And Surrounded By Trees - Long driveway, no neighbors to notice anything unusual. Since it took place over a weekend who could blame the bookkeeper?
The Bookkeeper Quit The Following Monday - Before reporting to work. A message left on the answering machine said something about an inheriting some cash and better opportunity that suddenly appeared in another city more than a thousand miles away.
Bookkeeper Theft - From what we have seen, experienced and read appears to be treated as a victimless crime; especially if the thief can present a big enough sob story about how they needed the money to do a good deed.
It Appears The Local Law Enforcement - Does not want to invest resources to investigate bookkeeper theft and the prosecutors are not usually interested in going after the Bad Bookkeeper unless the amount in question is extremely high. If it is high enough to put a contractor out of business that appears to be O.K.
Quite A Few Contractors - Have visited our office and brought a copy of their QuickBooks for Contractors company file for us to review. In more cases than I care to think about I was able to spot signs of potential, possible, just maybe Bookkeeper Theft.
Bookkeeper Theft- Is very serious and not something you want to tackle alone. Even though the local law enforcement may or may not see the theft as a crime you can bet your bottom dollar in most cases they will come after you with full force. In most cases it is better to learn your lesson and find ways to outsource your construction bookkeeping and accounting services to someone like us who NEVER, EVER has access to your funds.
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