
Red Flags in Finance Department Structure: 8 Pitfalls You Can’t Afford to Ignore
In the U.S., where Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and operational efficiency are non-negotiable, poor finance team structuring isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a legal and financial time bomb. Yet, many companies repeat the same mistakes, from startups mimicking “lean teams” to corporations drowning in bureaucracy. Here’s a breakdown of eight critical missteps, adapted for American business realities, and how to fix them. 1. The “Swiss Army Knife” Finance Team: Multitasking Gone Wrong The Trap:A single employee handles accounts payable, payroll, and tax filings to “cut costs.” Sound familiar? This violates the foundational segregation of duties principle. U.S. Context: Fix: 2. Job Descriptions: Vague as a Horoscope The Trap:“Perform finance-related tasks” is as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Ambiguity invites chaos. U.S. Adaptation: 3. Excel...