Hello,
Benjamin Sher, a intern working for the Wikimedia Foundation, has created this meta page on how to avoid embezzlement. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Embezzlement_Avoidance_Guide
At this point in the process, I would like feedback, edits, and comments to see if this information is helpful.
This is not a significant issue for the community, based on the information we currently have, but I want to encourage us to address issues, as needed, before they may become a problem.
I look forward to your feedback.
Regards,
Garfield
Hello,
Thanks for sharing. And thanks Benjamin for writing this. I hope this page can help to prevent fraud in organizations by highlighting the risks and good practices with them.
I strongly agree with a lot of what the document is saying. Especially with the verification of expenses and even more with the separation of powers.
I think we can go beyond with this document. Even if internal frauds are the sneakiest, the external frauds are the most common (based on what I can see on the other side of the desk, in my daily job). Some process or good practices about external frauds can be shared in this document too, I assume.
I don't know if you still have the "audit form" to assess the process and governance of internal control. It might be interesting to share it again for organizations which want to know their strengths and weaknesses, and then improve themselves or ask for advices.
Anyway, I will be more than happy to help on that topic.
Best,
Hi Garfield,
Thanks for this initiative.
I would like to suggest that Benjamin document these recommendations as a learning pattern for larger organizations. Smaller orgs could have a separate learning pattern designed for them.
At Cascadia Wikimedians, we've taken a number of steps to ensure the integrity of our finances. For example, we avoid the use of physical cash whenever possible because electronic transactions are easier to track and audit. Additionally, all Board members have read-only access to all of our financial records in our online accounting tool (Xero), and only two people are allowed to disburse funds (our treasurer Brian, and me as Executive Director). I feel that the transparency of our transactions with all board members is a good way to deter problems and catch any that may arise, and limiting disbursements to two people limits the possibilities for accidental or intentional losses.
Thanks again for this initiative. I have a related question that I would like to discuss with you via phone at your convenience; please let me know off-list of days and times that are good for you.
Regards,
Pine On Aug 14, 2015 9:57 AM, "Garfield Byrd" gbyrd@wikimedia.org wrote:
Hello,
Benjamin Sher, a intern working for the Wikimedia Foundation, has created this meta page on how to avoid embezzlement. https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Embezzlement_Avoidance_Guide
At this point in the process, I would like feedback, edits, and comments to see if this information is helpful.
This is not a significant issue for the community, based on the information we currently have, but I want to encourage us to address issues, as needed, before they may become a problem.
I look forward to your feedback.
Regards,
Garfield
-- Garfield Byrd Chief of Finance and Administration Wikimedia Foundation 415.839.6885 ext 6787 415.882.0495 (fax) www.wikimediafoundation.org
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