Free seminars for nonprofit organizations on the topic of “Anti-Theft and Fraud Prevention” are being held in Carbon and Schuylkill counties. The seminars are sponsored the Mauch Chunk Trust Company.

In Schuylkill County, a session is being held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave., Pottsville.

The speaker is John M. Nonnemacher CPA with Snyder & Clemente Accountants & Consultants, and is hosted by Michael A. O’Pake, Schuylkill County District Attorney and Acting Schuylkill County Controller Sharyn Yackenchick.

In Carbon County, a seminar is being held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, Cafeteria, 150 W. 13th St., Jim Thorpe.

Nonnemacher is speaking at the seminar hosted by Michael S. Greek, Carbon County District Attorney.

“There are over 800 Schuylkill County nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS. These organizations do a tremendous amount of good in the county. Unfortunately, thefts have occurred at some of these organizations. I am committed to prosecuting these thefts to the fullest extent of the law. However, these court cases are costly and time consuming and often do not result in recovery of the stolen funds because the perpetrator has spent them. I organized this seminar in an effort to prevent these thefts from occurring in the future,” said O’Pake.

Yackenchick added, “The work of these Schuylkill County nonprofit organizations play an important part in lessening the burden of government on County taxpayers. I am committed to assisting them protect their funds and fulfilling their mission.”

Nonnemacher said, “The recent news of thefts at some local nonprofit organizations highlights the importance of sound internal controls and fraud prevention. Unfortunately, these thefts erode the public’s confidence in nonprofit organizations as a whole and take away funds intended to help the organizations achieve their mission. This free seminar will inform those attending about simple yet effective internal controls to prevent such thefts.”

“The many nonprofit organizations here in Carbon County are vital to helping those in need. It is unfortunate when they are victims of theft,” said Michael S. Greek. “I’m hosting this seminar because there are simple steps which these organizations can take to prevent them from being victimized.

“I’m committed to prosecuting these theft cases to the fullest extent of the law. However, it is much better to prevent the thefts from occurring in the first place because, very often, recouping monetary losses in a court case can take a good deal of time and effort. In most cases the perpetrator of the theft has spent the funds which were stolen.”

The seminar will also cover certain general nonprofit organization topics.

Seminar Topics Include:

• Basic Antifraud and Theft Prevention Internal Controls

• Federal and Pennsylvania Reporting Requirements

• Organization Officer and Directors Oversight Responsibilities

• Internal Controls Related to Cash Receipts and Disbursements

• Pennsylvania Sales Tax Exemptions for Nonprofit Organizations

• Reporting Fundraising Income and Expenditures

• How to Apply for IRS 501 (c)(3) Tax Exempt Status

• Fraud and Theft Warning Signs and “Red Flags”

• How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in Pennsylvania

To register for this free seminar, please visit www.mct.bank/rsvp or call 570-325-2265.