Set Ethical Priorities

Aug 31

commonsensecfoCFO, EntreLeadership, Part-time, Virtual , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

A few of the more common areas of business ethics violations are taxes, fraud, and misuse of company assets.

  • Taxes.  Nothing represents a businessperson’s spiritual values more clearly than that person’s attitude toward paying taxes.  Nobody likes to pay taxes, but to actually cheat on income taxes or any other tax is a sin, and sin separates us from God.  Unless you believe that your relationship with God is the most important asset you have in this world, sin can easily ensnare you.
  • Fraud.  Consistently, the most acceptable kind of fraud is practiced against insurance companies.  Take a look at your salespeople and sales practices.  Are you deceiving your customers?  Are customers being charged for service work that was never actually performed?  Clearly, God’s Word says that a deception will always be found out. (1) If a business can’t survive in total honesty, then it’s time to do something else.
  • Misuse of Company Property.  Business owners tend to believe they can treat company assets as their own personal property.  Some of the more common ways company property is misused:
    • Company Vehicles.  Most company-supplied vehicles are also used for personal purposes.
    • Telephone Use.  Many people don’t hesitate to make personal calls on the company telephone.
    • Copy Machines, Pens, Pencils, and Paper.

Business owners and managers need to set their guard against little acts of dishonesty, so that bigger ones won’t end up being a problem later. (2)

Business planning is essential for business prosperity.  Businesses, like people, don’t plan to fail – they fail to plan.  If you would like to learn more about business planning from a biblical perspective or how I can help transform your business using the Bible as our guide, email me at commonsensecfo@yahoo.com or call Kirk at 402-658-7340.

(1) The honest person will live in safety, but the dishonest will be caught. Proverbs 10:9 (NCV)

(2) Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Proverbs 4:14 (NLT)