NELSON Rivera's first job after earning a TAFE accountancy diploma in 2006 was as a part-time reconciliation clerk for a Victorian company that managed 20 pharmacies. But the teenager had misgivings about his suitability.

''Do you really place a 19-year-old in charge of millions of dollars?'' he asked his boss, who, Rivera said, replied: ''Well, Nelson, we trust you. You haven't given any other reason for us not to trust you.''

Nelson Rivera leaves the County Court yesterday where he was convicted of stealing more than $500,000 from his employer. Credit:Justin McManus

By early 2008, Rivera was Prime Pharmacy Group's treasury accountant and a promotion was later offered, but by October he fell ill and was often absent.

When he was next seen, in good health and gambling in Crown Casino at Christmas, the company's chief financial officer cancelled Rivera's access and privileges to its accounts.