Featuring Debbie Rosler, Fractional CFO at Burkland
What happens when a startup CEO “borrows” $1.5 million from their own company – and no one notices until the money runs out?
In this eye-opening post, we hear from Debbie Rosler, a seasoned fractional CFO at Burkland, as she walks us through one of the most defining – and alarming – experiences of her career: stepping into a company rocked by internal fraud and helping bring it back from the brink.
Whether you’re scaling a venture-backed startup or advising one, Debbie’s insights on financial discipline, fraud prevention, and practical controls are lessons worth bookmarking.
From Kilimanjaro to the C-Suite: The Power of Going Slow
Before diving into spreadsheets and strategy, Debbie shares a surprising source of wisdom: her climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. The mantra “polepole” – Swahili for “go slowly” – stuck with her.
Even on the trail, it was the slow and steady climbers who reached the summit, not the ultramarathoners who charged ahead. That same mindset – measured progress over reckless speed – has guided her approach to finance and leadership ever since.
How $1.5 Million Went Missing
In the early days of Debbie’s role at a startup, she uncovered a staggering case of internal fraud: the CEO had embezzled over $1.5 million over a two-year period. Even more shocking? The company had a CFO – the CEO’s close friend and co-founder – who was convinced the money was just being “borrowed.”
It wasn’t until the company could no longer make payroll that the truth surfaced.
Key Lessons:
- Consistency is control. Monthly board reports should follow a repeatable format to make red flags easier to spot.
- No oversight = risk. Friendly co-founders are not a substitute for financial safeguards.
- When control fails, rebuild quickly. Recovery is possible – but only with structure, systems, and support.
Financial Controls That Don’t Slow You Down
When Debbie stepped in, her goal was to install robust financial systems – without the overhead of an ERP. Here’s what her early-stage control playbook looks like:
- ✅ Two sets of eyes on every payment, from wires to invoices
- ✅ Approval workflows via tools like Ramp, Bill.com, and Expensify
- ✅ Bank-level access controls to prevent unauthorized payments
- ✅ Monthly reviews of financials vs. forecasts, to flag issues early
Even in SaaS, Purchase Orders Matter
Purchase orders (POs) aren’t just for manufacturers. James Kennedy, CEO of ProcurementExpress.com, shared how POs have saved his SaaS company from expensive surprises – especially with legal and contractor spend.
Debbie agrees: using POs with high-value vendors like lawyers creates accountability, manages expectations, and reduces scope creep. It’s also a smart move for budgeting.
The External Threats Are Getting Smarter
Beyond internal risks, Debbie warns of the rise in phishing scams and AI-generated fraud in 2025. She recalls how the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank triggered a wave of spoofed bank-change requests.
Her golden rule:
Always verify banking changes by phone – using a contact you already know and trust. Don’t rely on details in an email, even if it looks legit.
Who Should Reach Out to Debbie Rosler?
Debbie and her team at Burkland work with startups from seed through Series B, offering fractional CFO, accounting, tax, and HR support. If you’re looking for strategic financial guidance with flexible engagement, she’s a go-to expert.
🌐 Website: burklandassociates.com
BONUS: Run a Free AI Fraud Check on Your QuickBooks
Want to know if there’s anything suspicious in your QuickBooks accounts?
Visit redflag.procurementexpress.com for a free, 30-second AI-powered audit. We’ll scan for:
- Duplicate payments
- Unusual vendors
- Out-of-hours transactions
- Round numbers and end-of-month spikes
No commitment. Just clarity.
Final Thought
Internal controls aren’t just checkboxes – they’re the foundation of trust, transparency, and long-term survival. As Debbie’s story shows, even the most promising startups can veer off course without the right guardrails. But with the right tools and mindset, recovery is not only possible – it can be the beginning of something stronger.
