[etg1991]

Which of the following situations could most likely lead to an embezzlement scheme?

A. The accounts receivable bookkeeper receives a list of payments prepared by the cashier and personally makes entries in the customers’ accounts receivable subsidiary ledger.

B. Each vendor invoice is matched with the related purchase order and receiving report by the vouchers payable bookkeeper who personally approves the voucher for payment.

C. Access to blank checks and signature plates is restricted to the cash disbursements bookkeeper who personally reconciles the monthly bank statement.

D. Vouchers and supporting documentation are examined and then canceled by the treasurer who personally mails the checks to vendors.

The correct answer is C but I do not understand why if the access is already being restricted. This is the explanation given:

Allowing the bookkeeper to have access to the accounting records and to the signature plates, which effectively enables the bookkeeper to initiate unauthorized transactions, while also having responsibility for preparing the monthly bank reconciliations is an improper segregation of duties.

Thanks in advance!