INTERNAL AUDITS &

SECURITY CONSULTING

Internal Business Theft

Internal audits and investigations have been commonplace for Banking institutions and other companies concerned with their financial security and resolution to employee malfeasance issues.  Aggressive audits, proactive security measures, and investigative follow-up to incidents assist organizations by mitigating the risk of lawsuits and minimizing the exposure of negative public relations issues. LOSS PREVENTION AND SECURITY AWARENESS Heightened security awareness is of benefit to all employees through the reduction of Workers’ Compensation injuries, establishing conformity of policies and procedures, and educating staff to better identify risks and security breakdowns to create a safer work environment.  A more secure work environment will help prevent losses resulting from employee malfeasance, external crime, fire, accident, errors, and inadequate supervision or management. Direct losses are those discovered in a reasonable time period, such as an employee theft of money, inflated expense reimbursements, and shrinkage from customer or employee theft.  Indirect losses are losses which are prolonged and usually hidden, such as timekeeping fraud.  Since each business and situation is unique, approaches to loss prevention are tailor-made to meet the needs of specific security demands.  Some prevention methods may be a deterrent to crime, while other methods of prevention will also address reducing losses through suggested policy and/or procedural changes. The necessary personnel will be brought to the team to most effectively and cost-efficiently meet the needs of the project.  During the process of conducting internal audits, employee training, and security reviews, it is imperative to the success of the project that audit and security team members are integrated with company personnel in order to produce the most effective results.

INTERNAL INVESTIGATION

If you feel there is a possibility that your employees or business partners might be stealing, consider the following questions to help establish if theft has occurred:

• Have your inventory records and physical counts been differing?

• Have your accounting records been inaccurate?

• Have there been mistakes in the shipping and receiving of goods?

• Has there been an increasing amount of raw materials, which are needed to produce a specific quantity of goods?

• Has there been missing merchandise from boxes (e.g. every pallet of twenty boxes of finished goods has at least two boxes that are short a few items)?

• Are there products at inappropriate locations (e.g. finished goods hidden near exits)?

• Have the security devices been found to be damaged or inoperable?

• Are the windows or doors unlocked when they should be locked?

• Are people (e.g. employees, truck drivers, repair personnel) in unauthorized areas?

• Are employees coming in early and/or leaving late?

• Are employees eating lunch at their desks and refusing to take vacations?

• Are you receiving complaints by customers about not having their previous payments credited to their accounts?

• Do you have customers whom absolutely have to be served by a particular employee?

• Is there an unsupervised, after-hours cleaning crew with their own keys?

• Are there employees who are sensitive about routine questions concerning their jobs?

• Do you have an employee who is living beyond his or her income level?

If you answered "yes" to two or more of these questions it is possible that embezzlement activities might be occurring. To prevent further loss and to more closely scrutinize these questions contact On The QT for a consultation.

Internal Investigations consist of:

• Thorough examination of documents and activities relating to the suspected loss

• Fact-finding interviews of personnel and/or witnesses

• Admission-seeking interview

• Complete report of findings

• Law Enforcement filing report, if applicable

• Closing consultation and review of recommendations

SECURITY CONSULTATION

Security begins with Loss Prevention, accomplished thorough security audit of the company or premises to establish possible security breakdowns or threats.   A risk assessment is conducted to determine the level of security necessary to meet the needs of your business, property, or unique situation.  Security recommendations are provided, based on this research, to reduce the risk of security incidents.   Security Audit includes: 

• Review of financial/monetary company risk factors

• Observation of premises exterior access and risk areas

• Risk Assessment of surrounding geographical area based on
  • Gang activity history

  • Criminal activity reported to police

  • Criminal trends relative to specific business type

• Review of existing physical security measures in place at premises

• Review of existing loss prevention / incident response procedures at business

• Recommendations / enhancements to security as appropriate

• Training in loss prevention if applicable

Based on the needs of individual clients, security recommendations could consist of:

 ·       Separation of duties

·        Revised opening and/or closing procedures

·        Dual-custody entry system

·        Revised cash handling procedures

·        Re-keying to establish accountability

·        Enhanced lighting

·        CCTV monitoring

·        Tracking devices

·        Controlled access systems

·        Alarm systems

·        Installation of Security Guard

·        Revised vacation schedules

  * All security tools can be provided or recommended by On The QT.  Ongoing services of incident response and annual risk audits are available.

Our Investigators and Security Consultants Possess years of experience in the investigation on theft and complex white collar crimes.  Through our consulting arrangements with other firms across the nation, an entire network of experienced personnel can be assigned to quickly develop the information and/or evidence you need to successfully resolve your case.