The Sneaky Side of Small Business: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

You probably didn’t start your business thinking, “Wow, I hope I get really good at spotting employee theft!” But here we are.

Fraud happens—more often than most small business owners would like to admit. Maybe it starts with a “borrowed” company card or an invoice that doesn’t quite add up. It’s subtle, quiet, and kind of like that odd smell in the break room fridge… easy to ignore until it’s not.

The thing is, when you’re wearing all the hats—owner, manager, marketer, occasional IT support—it’s easy to overlook the finer details of your finances. And that’s exactly where fraud likes to hide.

It’s Not Always Malicious—But It’s Always Costly

Sure, some fraud is flat-out theft. But sometimes it’s just sloppy record-keeping, or a vendor “accidentally” charging twice, or a well-meaning employee making unauthorized decisions. Harmless? Not exactly.

We’ve seen it all—double-billed invoices, ghost employees, and personal expenses camouflaged as “office supplies.” It adds up fast, and if you don’t have clear visibility into your books, these little slip-ups can quietly drain your business dry.

Red Flags: What to Watch For Before You Smell Smoke

Ever get that feeling something’s off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? Trust that instinct. Fraud usually leaves a trail, but you need systems in place to spot it.

Like, are the books constantly off by a little—always in one direction? Is someone overly protective of “their” part of the finances? Are your records a mess of sticky notes and late-night mental math? These are all signals that something might not be right.

That’s where solid bookkeeping comes in. Not the once-a-year, scramble-before-tax-time kind. We’re talking consistent, clear, up-to-date records that shine a light on everything.

This Is Why We Do What We Do

At Mountain Top Bookkeeping, we’re not here to point fingers—we’re here to prevent problems. Think of us like the trail guide who notices the bear tracks before you wander into the woods.

We build clean, accurate systems that give you eyes on your money. We’ll help you set up checks and balances, spot weird patterns, and keep your business as airtight as a fresh jar of peanut butter.

We know that every dollar matters. That trust matters even more. And that your time is better spent building your business than deciphering spreadsheets or chasing down suspicious receipts.

Let’s Keep Your Business One Step Ahead

Don’t wait until you’re knee-deep in missing funds or awkward conversations. Fraud is sneaky, but it’s no match for good bookkeeping. Let Mountain Top Bookkeeping help you set up the systems that protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.

Call us today to get started.

Because “catching it early” is a whole lot better than “cleaning up the mess.”