Employee of The Benevolent Society charged with fraud
A reminder to maintain financial vigilence comes from the charging with fraud of a former employee at Australia's oldest charity, The Benevolent Society.
The 72 year old client account officer, who had left The Benevolent Society last year after eight years with the charity, allegedly pocketed almost $150,000 in cash payments for Meals on Wheels services over more than six years.
The Benevolent Society noticed discrepancies in its bank accounts in September 2014 and private forensic investigators later found discrepancies in the organisations accounts worth $148,984.05, which occurred between December 2007 and August 2014. The matter is next before the court on 3 December 2015, with the accused having pleaded not guilty.
Given that charities, as not-for-profit organisations, depend on funds received for the direct delivery of services, any theft means that those most in need suffer as a result. Tight financial reporting and strict internal controls are vital to the viability of these organisations.
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