Bookkeeper Arrested in Florida

Charges were filed against a HOA bookkeeper who allegedly used her client’s funds to purchase bra’s and gynecologist visits, in addition to other items from Amazon. According to news story from WPLG, Local Channel 10, of Miami, Peggy Anne West is facing dozens of felony charges in the Florida Keys for unauthorized purchases.

The news story is here. Of course, Ms. West is presumed innocent.

But this is an important lesson: a bookkeeper should not be spending money. And a bookkeeper should not be reconciling books when they do spend money – authorized or not.

Bookkeepers should not be using passwords to access client’s bank or credit card accounts, either. They should be setup as “accountants” where they can only see an account, but cannot make any changes or authorize purchases or payments.