If executives mix theirs financial with the company’s is bookkeeper/accnt liable?

Question

I started in this company a year ago and most of their financials were pretty mixed up. Some time ago executives loaned some money to the company, by obtaining home equity loans. Now company pays those equity loans directly to the Leander. In addition they have 20 credit cards that used mostly for business but all of them have executives names instead of company's. In case of audit, I am wondering what will happen with all this mess and how it can effect me?

Answer 1

If the company is private, I don't believe there is any liability. If the company is public, you may have responsibility to be a "whistle blower". Since the owners did private direct financing, I doubt its a public company, but weirder things have happened.

First things first. The loan may be an arrangement with the ownership of the company. It is possible for the arrangement to pay the home equity loans is senior to all other debt, and direct payment in this situation would not be unusual. In fact there is more risk if it is not directly paid; if the executive does not make payment liens could be called and there may be some pledge on behalf of the company's assets at risk.

The credit cards are also not unusual. What matters is what they buy with the credit cards and if proper internal controls are adhered to. Every company I have worked for issued CC's directly to employees, in the name of the employee, but they had to provide proper control documentation for all purchases.

My advice, if you are not comfortable with some of the ongoings is to ask your supervisor to explain things. If he refuses, go up the ladder. Be polite in these questions, after all everything may be perfectly normal. If you are still unsatisfied, go to the audit board of your company.