You said the paperwork is being manipulated, but you don’t say exactly how or when. Is it possible for you to make photocopies of the papers before the time you know they will be manipulated? If you can, you can show both documents to the owner. If it’s ‘electronic’ paperwork, you could make a backup copy somewhere else on the computer so you have another file to compare it with, also if that’s the case you can check to see the last time the file was altered. If it’s being manipulated on financial software such as QuickBooks, and you have the right privlages you can simply turn on the audit trail and that will prove which user changed what data (from what and to what) at what time.
If you have no absolute proof, do nothing.
Until then; document everything. This will lend weight when/if you do get proof and also cover yourself from any counter accusations.
What Is Schwa is at risk here.
-
Why are you playing the gender game? Is he/she a transvestite? I doubt knowing the GM’s gender would significantly color the advice you received. (And, in any event, the “he/she” leads me to assume it’s a she.)
-
I don’t think anyone here has enough information to give you solid advice. Would you be able to obtain proof? What is your relationship with the owner? What is the GM’s relationship with the owner?
All things being equal, of course, you should alert the owner. But if, for example, the owner and GM are friends, and you hardly know the owner, and it really would be your word against the manager’s – then telling the owner would probably do no good, and might put your job in jeopardy.
Yep, I agree. Document everything. Gather as much evidence as you can until there is proof beyond a doubt of your GM’s thievery. As for him being a nice guy who has helped you, I’d say he’s screwing you around psychologically. I bet he knows that if he can get you to think he’s a great guy, you’ll be less likely to rat on him if/when you find out he’s been stealing. My boss isn’t a thief (that I know of), but he’s a multicoloured asshole who’s done just about everything else, and poses as a nice guy so nobody will believe what a jerk he really is.
Good luck in taking him down.
Just chiming in to say I agree with Lsura. Do not confront the GM directly, no good will come of it.
Gather however much evidence you believe will be necessary to convince the owner on top of your observations. Start writing down your observations somewhere in a log - perhaps a notebook in your car or backpack (somewhere outside the office where the GM will not find it.)
The GM’s corruption will not go unchecked. It will probably get worse, not better.
Just wanted to add my voice to the choir of “Don’t go to the GM.” Go straight to the owner, and tell them everything you have seen and suspected. The GM might think they’re awful smart, but accounting practices have been in place to prevent theft for a long time, and with some pretty clever thieves. I’ve worked in a lot of accounting departments, and there are checks on the checks on the checks to prevent exactly this kind of thing.
Actually, your only excuse for not telling the owner is that you’re afraid for your own job - that’s not a really good reason for not doing the right thing. I believe you’re more likely to lose your job if you say nothing - thieves usually get caught, and unless you’re some kind of actor, you will also be implicated.