My boss wants me to lie...?

Question

I just graduated with my degree in accounting and have accepted an entry level accounting position with a corp. My responsibility is to review exports submitted by various executives. These include items such as receipts for taking clients to dinner and hotel receipts for business travel. When I was reviewing these reports, I noticed that my boss has submitted for reimbursement for several items that are clearly outside the established guidelines of the corp. My boss told me not to worry about the items, and just to follow through with processing them. I feel uncomfortable doing so, what steps can I take?!?!?! I appreciate the suggestions!

Answer 1

ask him for an email which gives you permission or authorises the processing of these items/receipts, then if there is a sticky situation you can always dodge responsibility. if he wont send you a mail dont do it!!

Answer 2

Your boss is asking you to become their accomplice in their crime, submitting falsified business expense reports (embezzlement/fraud).

Schedule a meeting with your boss, explain the problem in detail.  If they can prove that these are legitimate business expenses that they are entitled to reimbursement for, process the expenses.  If your boss can not justify reimbursement for these expenses, inform them that you will not assist them in committing fraud against the company.

When the meeting does not resolve the problem, go to your HR representative (and/or Chief Financial Officer) and let them know about the fraudulent expenses.  

The worst case scenario is that you will be terminated from that job, and if the company is willing to allow fraud ... maybe termination is best for your future!

Answer 3

nothing. it's your boss's neck that sticking out. unless you have other job prospects lined up, I suggest you play see no evil here no evil,

Answer 4

I am not experienced in anything like this, but I do know that you might not want to do something that you are uncomfortable with.

Answer 5

It would depend how much he pays you. If he pays you well and you like your job then just look the other way. Since you are just an entry level employee if there is an audit you will not get into serious trouble.

If it really makes you uncomfortable you will have to find another job. If you object to this I'm sure your boss will make your live miserable or find an excuse to fire you.

Answer 6

You could go to the boss that is above your boss and ask if this is acceptable without acting like you are accusing the man.  The boss above might have told him to do this so be careful but if your boss is going against his boss' guidelines then he will have to change what he's doing.

Answer 7

do the right thing!!!!!!

Answer 8

i highly suggest you keep it covered up like he asked

Answer 9

You could be risking your job:

  I suggest making copies, taking calendar dates, and other pertinentant information  Also writte the date you expressed concern.  If there are any back records you should check them also.

  If he has a boss that is higher than him- who is not a friend- you can express concerns there again.  If they are all buddy-buddy, it may be common for them to do this-  I would suggest as a  next step talking to a corprate offfice person...  but don't let them know what's happening.

You are like a "whitleblower"!  I suggest you look up that before telling people what you are doing....

  

Answer 10

Tay!

I like Mankmunk's answer with one exception have him Fax it to signed with his signature. The reason is a Fax is a legal Document a E-Mail is not! Then and only then, do as he ask. If he should ask as to why you want the Fax tell him that you are protecting yourself. It may not hurt to have a whitness or recording devise for proof if the subject comes up!

Answer 11

you could go over his head to his boss but there is a chance it could backfire on you. You need to cover your butt so make sure there is someone else that knows about it. In your field there are a lot of times your job or failing to do it right can land you in jail. If he is an owner or something there isnt anything you can do really. If he is just a supervisor then just go over his head.

Answer 12

Why trade your job to protect him? Do you think he would do that for you?

Don't lie, it'll come back on you sooner or later.

Answer 13

if you just started he might be testing you to see if you would do it and if you do that tells him your not honest!!! but on the other had if hes not then that's not fair to you to have to do that for him i would speak to someone higher up then him and just tell them you want to stay anonymous!!! i sorry thats got to be a sticky situation!! and if you do it you can always say he told me it was fine so you though the company knew about it???  

Answer 14

I think you should stick with your scruples and not do it, i mean he can't really fire you for not lying. i don't know your situation exactly, but maybe try going to someone who has more authority than he does and asking or telling them.....i hope this helped!

Answer 15

do not "sell" your integrity...you will not only be an accomplice...but your boss will lose all respect for you and you also leave yourself open to blackmail.

if you have to choose between lying & quitting...quit

Answer 16

you can try telling him how u feel about the whole situation.

Answer 17

It's never ok to lie. And that fact that he's the Boss shouldn't deter you from doing what's right. If what you're doing doesn't bother your consceience, then that's sad. If you know it's wrong, then you should do something about it.

But I'm just a stranger voicing my thoughts. No one can make you do anything. You've got a choice, and you're old enough to decide. i hope you chose the right one.

Good luck

Answer 18

Hm.. He sounds suspicious to me. To be honest i think whatever you do will end up being the right thing. Good luck.

Answer 19

That's a tough one.

Your boss could be testing you to see if you'll bend under pressure.

Your boss could be a crook.

If it's discovered, your boss will hang you out to dry to cover himself.

I'd say no.  But the possibility exists that he could fire you as a result.

One thing you can do is express your concerns IN WRITING to him and keep a copy.  Ask him to put his order to enter the receipts IN WRITING to you to cover your butt.

He won't be happy with you, but it will likely stop him from pressuring you to do this.

Answer 20

As an Accountant, you have an obligation to uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior whether or not you are Certified yet.  Were I in your shoes, I would advise your boss that his travel reimbursement expenses do not appear to be in order, and that you're not willing to process his report.

If your firm has an Ethics hotline, I urge you to give them a call.

Answer 21

You have to decide which is more important to you; your personal & professional ethics, or working for a lying stinking scumbastard who wants you to cover up his unethical and quite likely illegal activities.

You can't trust someone like that. Go over his head and report him directly to his boss.