The Problem with Monitoring
Something that I get asked regularly is whether we offer a "monitoring" service where we can provide a monthly check-up on a practice. I'd like to explain why we do not offer this service.
When people ask us for "monitoring,"they do so for one of two reasons; either they have current embezzlement concerns, or they don't but are seeking long-term protection against employee theft.
For someone with current concerns, monitoring's weakness is its superficiality.
Conceptually, monthly monitoring is like a "mini-audit." The price point for this kind of work supports a couple of hours of investigation work, which in our expert opinion simply isn't sufficient cover the full spectrum of embezzlement methodologies that should be reviewed. When Prosperident performs an investigation, we normally look at a
period of at least one year, and our review is quite broad and
intensive.
For those seeking enduring protection, there is a conceptual appeal to monitoring, with the offer of protection at an affordable monthly cost. However, the best protection against embezzlement comes from having proper systems in place, which monitoring does not address. Furthermore, the overblown perception of protection provided by monitoring may encourage some laxity about systems, which may ultimately be dangerous.
There are some technology-based monitoring approaches on the horizon that we expect will deliver the elusive combination of affordability and effectiveness, but they are still several years away.
For providing enduring protection from embezzlement, a better (and in the long term, less expensive) solution than monthly monitoring is Prosperident's Owner Proactive Strategies (OPS). OPS is the industry’s most comprehensive review of your practice’s policies and procedures, including staff compliance. You can read more about OPS HERE.
So if the concept of monthly monitoring is something that you find appealing, I encourage you to reflect on whether the allure is based on addressing current concerns or the desire for long-term protection. For either situation, we have an offering that provides a much better fit and value.
Thanks for reading.
