Final Answer:
The term ""ghost employee"" means that someone who does not work for the company receives a paycheck. Therefore, the correct option is d) someone who does not work for the company receives a paycheck.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "ghost employee" refers to a fraudulent practice where an individual who does not have any association or employment with a company receives a paycheck or financial compensation. This deceptive act can be orchestrated in various ways, including creating false employee records, utilizing the identity of non-existent individuals, or collaborating with external parties to divert funds.
This form of fraud impacts the company's financial integrity by siphoning off money meant for non-existent employees. Perpetrators of this scheme might include dishonest employees, conniving individuals outside the organization, or a collaboration between the two.
Detecting ghost employees is crucial to preventing financial losses and maintaining the accuracy of payroll systems. Companies implement preventive measures such as stringent identity verification procedures, regular audits of employee records, and robust controls over the payroll process to minimize the risk of such fraudulent activities.
By understanding and addressing this fraudulent practice, organizations can safeguard their financial resources, ensure the legitimacy of their workforce, and uphold the integrity of their payroll systems, thus averting potential financial losses due to deceitful activities. Therefore, the correct option is d) someone who does not work for the company receives a paycheck.