Business consultant and full-charge bookkeeper Charlie Montgomery has released a three-book series aimed at helping small and mid-sized business owners protect themselves from theft by their own bookkeepers, a threat she describes as both underreported and devastating. The series includes 36 Ways Your Bookkeeper Steals From You, How To Hire And Manage A Bookkeeper, and Blueprint for a Successful Pickpocket Bookkeeper, all available now.
Montgomery's announcement matters because it brings attention to a crime that often goes unnoticed until significant damage is done. With 45 years of experience consulting with small businesses, she has repeatedly encountered trusted bookkeepers quietly draining cash from the companies that depended on them, sometimes for years before anyone detected the losses. Her first book lays out the specific methods she has uncovered firsthand, from skimming cash to manipulating company financial systems, and explains why such theft so often evades detection. The second book provides practical guidance for owners on vetting candidates, structuring interviews, writing job descriptions, and managing a bookkeeper after hiring, aiming to prevent the problem from starting. The third book breaks down how theft schemes are typically set up and escalated, the warning signs owners should watch for, and what to do once theft is suspected or confirmed, illustrated with real case studies, including several drawn from IRS cases.
The implications for small and mid-sized businesses are significant. Theft by a bookkeeper can be especially devastating for smaller companies that lack the financial cushion to absorb sustained losses. Montgomery notes that the subject is difficult to discuss, yet far more prevalent than most business owners realize or care to admit. Her background extends beyond bookkeeping: she has consulted with more than 100 clients across industries including real estate, construction, retail, and manufacturing, managed large residential and warehouse operations, and helped small business owners navigate PPP loan compliance during the pandemic. That experience shapes all three books into plain-spoken guides rather than academic texts, making the information accessible to owners who may not have formal financial training.
The series arrives at a time when small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to internal financial threats, and Montgomery's work offers a proactive approach. By understanding the methods thieves use and the warning signs to watch for, owners can better safeguard their companies. The books are available for purchase on Amazon.
