1. Create individual user accounts in your accounting software for each employee. Creating an account for each person allows you to limit an employee’s access to the data to only what they need to do their job. It also allows you to track who makes changes to the database. Make sure employees do not share login information, and require robust passwords that have to be frequently changed.

2. Review user accounts to ensure they don’t have permissions they shouldn’t. When an employee changes duties, remove any unneeded permissions. If they leave the company, have their account closed or removed immediately, especially if they have remote access.

3. Encrypt financial and payroll information. The lack of data encryption is a problem for businesses of all sizes. In 2011, several websites belonging to electronic giant Sony were hacked and the criminals who claimed responsibility gained access to more than a million accounts with unencrypted passwords. Make sure your accounting and payroll software have strong encryption. If the information is not encrypted, anyone with access to the database file can read it.

4. Offer direct deposit. By depositing payroll checks directly into your employees’ bank accounts, your business will write fewer checks. This reduces the risk of checks being lost or having an account number stolen. It also eliminates the problem of dishonest employees making more than one copy of the check and depositing it into different bank accounts.

5. Use electronic or automated clearing house (ACH) payments for vendors and other suppliers instead of mailing checks. Again, this reduces the number of checks your business must handle and prevents fraud.

For over two decades, the financial experts of Alfa One Corporation Accounting Solutions in Tokyo, Japan have provided a one-stop financial-services source in management of business practice, tax and financial planning, accounting, transition, investment counseling and retirement planning consultancy especially for the dental industry in Malaysia, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Since our company started its operations, dentists have relied on our knowhow, expertise, and experience to help them attain their business and personal objectives with excellent results. Our well-trained staff of Certified Public Accountants, Certified Financial Planners, accountants and bookkeepers are ready to provide dentists the assistance they require on a day-to-day arrangement. We aim to enhance all our clients' financial productivity as well as the quality of life.