Audit of Mt Eliza Junior Football Club’s financial accounts completed

A forensic accountant investigating claims of fraud within the financials of Mt Eliza Junior Football Club has revealed its findings. Here’s what we know.

Mt Eliza Junior Football Club players in action.

An independent investigation into the finances of a Melbourne football club failed to uncover misappropriation or fraud after a tumultuous season involving claims of financial mismanagement.

Mt Eliza Junior Football Club underwent a five-month audit by a forensic accountant.

It followed months of upheaval at the club, including the resignation of committee members in May.

In a letter to club members, Mt Eliza JFC president Mark McCudden said the auditors were unable to establish misappropriation or fraud.

“I am pleased to report that the five-month independent audit of the Mount Eliza Junior Football Club’s (MEJFC) financial accounts is complete,’’ McCudden wrote to club members.

“Forensic accountants Crawford & Company (Australia), appointed by our insurers AIG, has submitted their final report via lawyers Lander & Rogers.

“The report states that based on Crawford & Company’s investigation and analysis it has been ‘unable to establish misappropriation or fraud’. The report also advises that there is ‘unlikely to be any benefit in expanding the scope of the investigation, as any further investigations would likely reach the same outcome’.’’

Mt Eliza Junior Football Club was in a state of flux in May after a handful of its committee resigned.

Frankston and District Junior League ruled the club unconstitutional and moved all games away from Emil Madsen Reserve in Mt Eliza “until further notice’’.

People outside Mt Eliza Community Hall before the club's special general meeting in June.

It led to a special general meeting in June when a new committee was voted in.

Described as the most significant moment in the club’s history, the SGM was attended by almost 200.

There were moments of angst, with some members expressing dissatisfaction of the recent goings on.

McCudden was elected the club’s new president.

In its investigation, Crawfords said it “sought to identify evidence of cash misappropriation, unauthorised payments to third parties, sales skimming and stock and apparel misappropriation’’.

The period under review was October 2019 to July 2024.

McCudden said the MEJFC was asked to provide financial ledgers, invoices, bank statements, minutes from committee meetings, manuals and the club’s constitution for the investigation.

He said while the audit was “a good outcome for our football club’’, it had come at a considerable cost.

“The angst and professional and personal reputational damage to former presidents, committee members and their friends and families has hurt,’’ he wrote.

“It has been unbefitting of the service they gave.’’

McCudden said the Mt Eliza junior club would “like to put the issue behind us and move forward as a united club’’.

“The MEJFC today enjoys a strong financial position and is fortunate to have an inspiring and committed committee that serves to ensure we carry on as a formidable and successful football club for years to come,’’ he said.