I work in a small office with only myself and my boss. I am in charge of simple bookkeeping and management tasks. When he was first hired I saw what appeared to be personal expenses on the company card. When approached about it my boss told me they were purchases the board asked him to make. I thought it was weird, but I didn't think there was much I could do. If I went to the board and my boss had been telling the truth, it could make life really awkward for me. He also was not turning in receipts or explanations for the expenses. He was simply listing the category the expense should go under in quickbooks. I contacted our accounting firm and asked if they would be willing to explain the importance of expense reports. This didn't help.

It came out last week that he lied to me and the board did not approve the purchases. The board knows I was lied to so I am not getting in trouble. However, I was expecting them to let him go, but it appears they simply told him to pay the company back. I am so frustrated, and am wondering if I should quit? I went back over the first six months of credit card statements and I believe he owes the company at least 3,000 dollars just from the first six months. What should I do? I am going to school for accounting and value my integrity.

Your boss is dishonest, a liar, a thief, not to mention being guilty of tax fraud. He's intentionally involving you in his illegal activities. What could go wrong?

With regard to the IRS there is something called a "responsible person" penalty. That means if any payroll taxes are due, you could be named as a "responsible person" even though you don't have any ownership interest. Being named a responsible person has wrecked lots of lives.

I know it's easy for someone to say when they're not in your shoes, but holy smokes. I don't see any way you can trust this person. You can bet if there's any way for your boss to point a finger of blame at you to deflect what's going on in his miserable life he's going to do it. I'd get the heck out of there like yesterday. It's also possible you could collect unemployment even though you quit under these circumstances.

Take your findings to the board. Since it is already known that your boss lied you once, you are more than justified in completing an audit. Just prepare a list of the items you believe are suspicious, with dollar amounts and a total, and send it to the board for review. Do NOT suggest what actions they should take, just give them the information and let them make their own decision.

If you are not comfortable with that decision then yes, you should find another job that doesn't make you question your integrity.

Study up on the, "Whistle Blower," laws and point out any suspicious accounting to the board without hesitation.

After A Hunch's nonsense comment:

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits employers from discriminating against their employees for exercising their rights under the OSH Act. These rights include filing an OSHA complaint, participating in an inspection or talking to an inspector, seeking access to employer exposure and injury records, reporting an injury, and raising a safety or health complaint with the employer. If workers have been retaliated or discriminated against for exercising their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days of the alleged adverse action.

Please point out where it says "federal employees," or "federal agencies." The OSH Act the excerpt refers to:

The Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary federal law which governs occupational health and safety in the PRIVATE SECTOR [Emphasis mine] and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970.

If it has been solved, then drop it unless your boss starts doing it again.

Try to keep in contact with one of the board members, so you can let him know as soon as you review the books. Boosts trust with the company, you get to keep your integrity, and feel good about 1 upping your boss