A former chief financial officer for The Dodson Group has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud after admitting to stealing $422,539 from the Indianapolis-based firm.

David Sullivan’s plea agreement was filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana. He could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Judge Larry J. McKinney is set to rule on whether to accept the plea agreement Sept. 24.

According to court documents, Sullivan began accessing the Indianapolis-based company’s payroll accounts in 2005 to transfer funds to his personal bank account.

He used his position as CFO to manipulate the accounting software to hide the unauthorized payments, the court documents said.

The company discovered the fraud in September of last year during a routine analysis of aging unpaid invoices. After owner Jim Dodson asked Sullivan to check it out, his CFO of 11 years failed to show up for work the next morning.

Dodson contacted authorities, triggering an investigation.

The Indianapolis-based Dodson Group helps businesses look for lower prices on office supplies, long-distance phone service and other products. It does most of its business under the brand name SaveItNow!

Sullivan’s attorney, Richard Kammen, could not be reached for comment late this morning.