Checks and balances system is a must

I am very sorry for the American Legion. For small businesses and not-for-profit service organizations, and in fact all businesses, no matter how great the trust and goodwill it’s just a common-sense business practice to separate financial responsibilities and have a checks and balances system.

The same person who writes checks and reconciles the bank account of any non-personal account should not be a check signer or have a debit card or any means to withdraw funds. The person who reconciles a bank account should not be the one who opens the bank statement and initially examines it. This is not a matter of trust but of sound business operation.

In a situation where trust funds are involved, such as in scholarship money and money committed to charity, there should be a joint signature requirement.

I hope the American Legion can pull it together and receive donations to continue its good work in our community and that leaders set up a new account according to standard business practices. I also hope that other fraternal organizations and small mom and pop outfits take note and avoid a heartbreaking disaster such as our Everett Legion has experienced.

Darla Lehman

Everett