Fraud isn’t just a big company problem -- it’s often more damaging, more frequent, and harder to detect in small and mid-size businesses.

In this episode of Open For Business, featuring our guest, accountant and advisor to mid-sized businesses Steve Nicokiris, we unpack the hidden realities of fraud that many business owners overlook. From employee theft and manipulation of financial records to vendor collusion and cultural blind spots, fraud typically operates quietly, often in high trust cultures -- with devastating financial and emotional consequences for the business owner.

Drawing on real-world insights, we explore:

• Why fraud is often called the “silent killer” of mid-sized companies
• How smaller enterprises are disproportionately targeted -- and why
• The critical role of internal controls (and what happens when they’re missing)
• Why trusted, long-tenured employees can pose unexpected risk
• How workplace culture and leadership style influence fraud exposure
• The surprising ways fraud is discovered -- and why it often isn’t
• Practical, actionable steps business owners can take to reduce immediate risk

We also discuss how remote work, lack of owner oversight, and operational gaps have accelerated fraud risks in recent years -- and why many cases never reach law enforcement.

Whether you’re a founder, managing partner, or financial leader, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at one of the most under-discussed threats to business stability -- and how to protect what you’ve built.

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