Question

Ben Thomas works as a teller for First National Bank. When he arrived at work on Friday, the branch manager, Frank Mills, asked him to get his cash drawer out early because the head teller, Naomi Ray, was conducting a surprise cash count for all of the tellers. Surprise cash counts are usually done four or five times a year by the branch manager or the head teller and once or twice a year by internal auditors.

Ben's drawer was $100 short and his reconciliation tape showed that he was in balance on Thursday night. Naomi asked Ben for an explanation, and Ben immediately took $100 out of his pocket and handed it to her. He went on to explain he needed the cash to buy prescriptions for his son and for groceries and intended to put the $100 back in his cash drawer on Monday, which was pay day. He also told Naomi that this was the first time he had ever “borrowed” money from his cash drawer and that he would never do it again.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) presents these steps in the ethical decision making process:

Recognize issues when they arise.

Gather critical facts.

Identify the stakeholders.

Consider the alternative solutions.

Consider the effects of the decision on the stakeholders.

Consider your comfort level with the alternatives.

Consider the rules, regulations, and laws.

Make the decision.

Document your efforts.

Evaluate the outcome.

Based on the steps please answer the following questions.

1. What are the ethical considerations in this case from both Ben’s and Naomi’s perspectives?

2. Who are the stakeholders who may be impacted by Naomi's decision about how to handle this situation?

3. What options does Naomi have to address the problem?

4. What do you think Naomi should do?

Answer 1

1. From Ben's perspective, it was unethical on his part to withdraw $ 100 from the cash drawer, even though he needed it for just a few days. From Naomi's perspective, she needs to take some action against Ben as he has been caught in an unethical behaviour.

2. The stakeholders who will be impacted from this decision will be : Ben, Naomi and Frank.

3. Options with Naomi:

(a) Inform Frank Mills - The Bank manager regarding the incident and her findings.

(b) Leave the matter - She has the option to leave the matter and warn Ben regarding this incident.

(c) File a formal complaint against Ben to senior management of the Bank.

4. As per me, since the amount involved was not very huge and since Ben's account was reconciled till Thursday night, Naomi should inform this matter to Mr. Frank and they should give a first and final warning to Ben. They should warn that if he is caught in any such unethical activity hence forward, he will be fired from his job and strict disciplinary action will be taken against him.