Blog

Thoughts from a fraud examination expert. For businesses seeking to understand the fraud and embezzlement schemes that can restrict growth and damage trust.

Just Say NO to QuickBooks Online

May 7, 2018

Intuit is doing everything they can in their marketing endeavors to push all accounting software users to QuickBooks Online. While installing QuickBooks Desktop 2018, I was amazed at the blatant pop up offering three free months if I converted to the online version. Let me be clear, I get it. After all, QuickBooks Online looks […]

Caring For Those You Leave Behind

April 30, 2018

No one ever envisions a sudden death happening to them. Consequently, drafting up a will tends to be the furthest thing from the mind. However, if you are part of the family left behind, dealing with emotional loss is just the beginning of a long, difficult and challenging road ahead. I know this because I […]

Merchant Services 101: Part II

April 16, 2018

PCI COMPLIANCE: WHAT IS IT AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? By Guest Blogger: Cheryl Donahue Whenever a merchant processes, stores or transmits cardholder data, they are claiming responsibility for protecting that information. Failure to properly secure sensitive information can result in costly fines, audit costs, restrictions or worse should an actual breach occur. To ensure […]

Data Mining, Breaches, Privacy – Oh No!

April 11, 2018

In a news clip on CBS This Morning, three Silicon Valley CEOs agreed that data was the most valuable resource on the planet. In the clip, the speakers talk about surveillance capitalism: gathering as much information as possible of every user on the internet, which is “being used to not only watch people, but influence them, predict […]

Another Data Breach

April 2, 2018

5 Million Credit and Debit Cards Are For Sale. The average internet consumer will not participate in this sale, but if you shop on the dark web, you could. This data breach, sponsored by Saks and Lord & Taylor customers, is a result of a mafia hacker group known as Joker’s Stash. The group was […]

Step Away From the Intensity of Caregiving

March 26, 2018

On March 21st, 9-1-1, a new show on FOX, aired the latest episode, “A Whole New You.” There has been a compelling story line into the trials and tribulations of family caregiving. In fact, that is the story line that drew me into the show. Abby, one of the show’s protagonists, is a caregiver for her […]

Collection Agencies 101

March 19, 2018

By Guest Blogger: Andy Cleveland Selecting a collection agency is like purchasing a hand piece, a car or a toothbrush: not all are created equal. Depending on the customer and circumstance, factors to consider are cost, risk versus reward, patient relationships, staffing scenario and brand coherence. Lately, there have been a noticeable amount of social […]

March 14, 2008 Atlanta, GA

March 14, 2018

Ten years ago, at 9:15pm, I made a decision that saved my life. Two blocks away, the Kentucky Wildcats were up next to play in the Georgia dome and I was determined to watch at least a little of the game. Having presented for a day and a half beforehand, and with another speaking day […]

Merchant Services 101: Part 1

March 6, 2018

Introduction To A (Mostly) Unregulated Industry By Guest Blogger: Cheryl Donahue Editor’s Note: Dealing with merchant card service providers in business can be costly. That’s why I invited Cheryl Donahue to guest blog and provide insight to help save us some $$$$. This is part one of her three part series. Behind the system that allows […]

Valentine’s: A Day of Remembrance

February 13, 2018

Warning.  This is not my normal blog today because my heart is broken for a friend. She lost the love of her life this past week and life for her will be drastically different than she has known.  I have had a few friends travel down this road the past few years. I am always especially heartbroken […]