Free Church Fund Misappropriation and Investigation Essay Sample

Critical thinking refers to the process of determining possible explanations for findings in a given problem or situation.

Scenario: Church Accountant Allegedly Accused of Misappropriating Church Money

In this scenario, I learned that a church accountant at our local church has been purportedly accused of misappropriating church funds. The accountant was taking advantage of the trust that the church members have laid on him. When he was asked about the same issue, he refuted.

 
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In my view, it is biblically wrong to steal. At the same time, there were no solid evidence that the accountant embezzled the church funds. I had to evaluate the allegation and their basis before I could take any action. An interview with close colleagues to the accountant proved that there was mismanagement of funds at the church. However, as a critical thinker, I had to investigate further to verify these allegations and findings before any action could be taken.

First and foremost, I decided to discuss the issue with the church’s management committee to verify the truth of the matter. In my opinion, it would be advisable for the church to seek services of an external auditor who has high expertise and experience in auditing to determine whether or not any of the funds have been misappropriated.

I also recommended that the accountant should be temporarily demoted to enable further investigations. This would prevent him from influencing the work of the investigators or external auditors. Similarly, it was advisable that no two related persons should be allowed to hold positions in the church at the same time, especially in the more sensitive finance department. I had to evaluate and weigh the burden the accountant would bear incase he was dismissed. If he was rendered jobless, what economic and financial impacts would this have in his life and that of his family? Will he be able to continue meeting the basic needs of his family such as food? I and the church’s management had to decide on whether to take the matter to the police or deal with it internally, and what are the impacts of such action, for instance, would it unnecessarily defame the accountant?

In my view, he should have been warned against his misconduct. As a professional accountant, he should not have taken advantage over lack of accounting knowledge amongst church members by misappropriating their funds. As Smith puts across, we should act according to our religious values, virtues and beliefs.

In order to fortify the integrity of the investigative process, it was proposed that the external auditor selected should not have any prior affiliations with the church or the accused accountant. This precautionary measure aimed to eliminate any perceived bias that could compromise the thoroughness of the audit.

Recognizing the sensitivity of financial matters, a suggestion was put forth to implement stringent checks and balances within the church's financial management structure. This involved periodic reviews and audits conducted independently to ensure transparency and accountability, reducing the likelihood of future financial improprieties.

As part of the preventative measures, it was recommended that the church invest in ongoing training for its financial personnel. This proactive approach aimed to enhance the financial literacy of staff, reducing the vulnerability of the church to potential financial misconduct due to ignorance or lack of understanding.

Considering the emotional toll on the congregation, it was suggested that a transparent communication strategy be implemented. This involved keeping the church members informed about the progress of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken. Open communication fosters trust and demonstrates the commitment of the church leadership to address issues with transparency and accountability.

In contemplating the potential economic repercussions for the accused accountant, discussions extended beyond immediate needs to explore possibilities for rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. This included exploring avenues for professional counseling or mentorship to address the root causes of the misconduct and facilitate personal growth.

Additionally, it was proposed that the church develop a code of conduct specifically addressing the ethical responsibilities of its financial personnel. This code would serve as a guide, outlining expectations and consequences for breaches, thereby establishing a clear framework for ethical behavior within the church's financial operations.

In alignment with principles of restorative justice, the idea of a reconciliation process involving the accountant and affected parties was considered. This approach aimed to heal the social fabric within the church community, fostering forgiveness and rebuilding trust after the resolution of the financial misconduct issue.

 

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