Who Needs Forensic Accounting?

Do you worry that you or your business might be the victim of fraud?

Do you need to analyze your financial data to uncover potential misconduct?

Are you investigating an entity for possible acquisition and need to ensure the absence of financial irregularities? Maybe you're involved in litigation and require an expert witness to testify on your behalf?

If any of these situations apply, you need our Forensic Accounting services. Forensic accounting - also called financial forensics or forensic auditing - is an area of accounting that investigates actual or anticipated disputes.

Disputes can range from business-related litigation to marital dissolution. We handle both litigation support and investigative accounting.

Litigation Support

This area covers accounting assistance for current or pending litigation.

For a litigation assignment, we:

• assist in obtaining the necessary documentation to support or refute a claim;
• examine the relevant documentation to form an assessment of the case;
• review the damages report by the opposing expert;
• assist with settlement discussions and negotiations; and
• attend trial to hear the testimony of the opposing expert and provide assistance with cross-examination. 

Investigative Accounting

Occasionally, you may need to explore whether fraud or misconduct has occurred, such as employee theft of property or inventory, misappropriation of funds by employees, kickbacks to employees from outside businesses, securities fraud and insurance fraud.

With our investigative accounting services, we bring to bear our accounting knowledge and experience in the field to give you a clear understanding of the situation. When you retain our expertise, we skillfully:

• review the situation and offer suggestions for possible courses of action;
• assist with the protection and recovery of assets;
• coordinate with other experts, including private investigators, forensic document examiners, and consulting engineers; and
• assist with any necessary civil action or criminal prosecution.

Common assignments in forensic accounting:

• Disputes Among Shareholders or Partners: The compensation and benefits given to each of the shareholders or partners is one of the more common issues in these cases.
• Insurance Claims: Because insurance policies vary greatly in their terms and conditions, such engagements require a thorough policy review to determine the appropriate method of figuring the loss. A forensic accountant can assist from either the insured or the insurer's standpoint.
• Business/Employee Fraud Investigations: The investigation of employee fraud often requires a determination of the extent and methodology of the fraud. It may or may not include the identification of a perpetrator.  Many times, such assignments necessitate analysis of the accounting records and related documents.
• Business Economic Losses: These kinds of engagements include contract disputes, construction claims and losses stemming from an alleged breach of a non-compete agreement. 

As a firm with a large auditing department, we understand the audit trail and business operations. We are members of the Certified Fraud Examiners Association and perform forensic activities. Do you suspect theft, abuse or fowl play. It can be damaging to your business or even destroy it. 

If you need assistance, please contact us at 1-855-STROEMER or JamieR@StroemerCPA.com, se habla espanol.