Litigation Support (Forensic Accounting)
Litigation services provide a dynamic and complex environment in which a Forensic Accountant can be of service to attorneys and their clients. A Forensic Accountant must work closely with an attorney to ensure that both professionals understand the needs, concerns and requirements necessary to work together to serve the client.
SSB has developed a very effective forensic accounting team. Our knowledge of the courtroom sets us apart from the typical accountant, and we are highly qualified to perform in the role of expert witness. We prepare extensively by focusing on a large number of legal and accounting issues when presenting testimony. We are constantly expanding our knowledge through research, specialized studies and certification testing to provide you and your client with the most reliable, impartial forensic resources available.
We understand the special needs and time constraints that you face in your practice and can provide you with strong resources to assist you in accumulating in-depth and accurate information to meet project deadlines and/or present an effective case.
What is a Forensic Accountant?
Forensic refers to that which is used by the courts. A Forensic Accountant is an accountant who is engaged in a combination of fraud detection and litigation support, applying accounting, auditing and investigative skills to legal issues. He/she performs an orderly analysis, investigation, inquiry, test or inspection in an attempt to obtain the truth and develop an expert opinion in matters of dispute.
What is a Cr.FA and why should you engage a Cr.FA to present an effective case for your client?
A Certified Forensic Accountant (Cr.FA) credential will provide assurance to the legal community and other interested parties that the designee possesses an exceptional degree of experience and knowledge to provide competent and professional forensic consulting services. A Forensic Accountant possesses financial expertise, fraud knowledge and a strong understanding of business reality and the working of the legal system, qualifying him/her to testify as an expert witness.
For what types of disputes can a Forensic Accountant provide litigation support?
- Business interruption/insurance claims
- Shareholder/partnership disputes
- Divorce—business or marital
- Business economic losses
- Business/employee fraud investigations
- Criminal investigations
- Professional negligence
- Contract disputes
- Personal earnings losses
- Mediation and arbitration
What resources does a Forensic Accountant provide in a fact-finding examination?
- Assistance in preparation of requests for documents
- Systematic approaches to efficiently filter through discovery documents
- Preparation and analysis of insurance and/or loss claims
- Design and review of information systems
- Analytical techniques including fluctuation and trend analysis of financial information
- Modeling techniques to track variances as a management tool
- Assistance in preparation of deposition outlines
- Reliable, impartial opinions needed for expert court testimony