1. What is Forensic Accounting ?

The integration of accounting, auditing and investigative skills yields the speciality known as Forensic Accounting. "Forensic", according to the Webster's Dictionary means, "Belonging to, used in or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate." "Forensic Accounting", provides an accounting analysis that is suitable to the court which will form the basis for discussion, debate and ultimately dispute resolution. Forensic Accounting encompasses both Litigation Support and Investigative Accounting. As Forensic Accountants, we utilize accounting, auditing and investigative skills when conducting an investigation. Equally critical is our ability to respond immediately and to communicate financial information clearly and concisely in a courtroom setting. Forensic Accountants are trained to look beyond the numbers and deal with the business reality of the situation. Other Terminology Forensic Investigation The utilization of specialized investigative skills in carrying out an inquiry conducted in such a manner that the outcome will have application to a court of law. A Forensic Investigation may be grounded in accounting, medicine, engineering or some other discipline. Forensic Audit An examination of evidence regarding an assertion to determine its correspondence to established criteria carried out in a manner suitable to the court. An example would be a Forensic Audit of sales records to determine the quantum of rent owing under a lease agreement, which is the subject of litigation. Internal Audit

An audit performed by an employee who examines operational evidence to determine whether prescribed operating procedures have been followed. External Audit An audit performed by an auditor engaged in public practice leading to the expression of a professional opinion which lends credibility to the assertion under examination.

2. What is Litigation Support ? "Litigation Support", provides assistance of an accounting nature in a matter involving existing or pending litigation. It deals primarily with issues related to the quantification of economic damages. A typical litigation support assignment would be calculating the economic loss resulting from a breach of contract 3. What is Investigative Accounting ? "Investigative Accounting", is often associated with investigations of criminal matters. A typical investigative accounting assignment would be an investigation of employee theft. Other examples include securities fraud, insurance fraud, kickbacks and proceeds of crime investigations . What does a Forensic Accountant do? A Forensic Accountant is often retained to analyze, interpret, summarize and present complex financial and business related issues in a manner which is both understandable and properly supported. Forensic Accountants can be engaged in public practice or employed by insurance companies, banks, police forces, government agencies and other organizations. A Forensic Accountant is often involved in the following:

Investigating and analyzing financial evidence;

Developing computerized applications to assist in the analysis and presentation of financial evidence; Communicating their findings in the form of reports, exhibits and collections of documents; and Assisting in legal proceedings, including testifying in court as an expert witness and preparing visual aids to support trial evidence.

In order to properly perform these services a Forensic Accountant must be familiar with legal concepts and procedures. In addition, a Forensic Accountant must be able to identify substance over form when dealing with an issue. 5. How can a Forensic Accountant be of assistance? A Forensic Accountant can be of assistance in various ways, including: Investigative Accounting

Review of the factual situation and provision of suggestions regarding possible courses of action. Assistance with the protection and recovery of assets. Co-ordination of other experts, including:

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Private investigators; Forensic document examiners; Consulting engineers.

Assistance with the recovery of assets by way of civil action or criminal prosecution.

Litigation Support

Assistance in obtaining documentation necessary to support or refute a claim.

Review of the relevant documentation to form an initial assessment of the case and identify areas of loss. Assistance with Examination for Discovery including the formulation of questions to be asked regarding the financial evidence. Attendance at the Examination for Discovery to review the testimony, assist with understanding the financial issues and to formulate additional questions to be asked. Review of the opposing expert's damages report and reporting on both the strengths and weaknesses of the positions taken. Assistance with settlement discussions and negotiations. Attendance at trial to hear the testimony of the opposing expert and to provide assistance with cross-examination.

6. What types of assignments does a Forensic Accountant perform? Forensic Accountants become involved in a wide range of investigations, spanning many different industries. The practical and in-depth analysis that a Forensic Accountant will bring to a case helps uncover trends that bring to light the relevant issues. Detailed below are various areas in which a Forensic Accountant will often become involved. Criminal Investigations Forensic investigations often relate to criminal investigations on behalf of police forces. For example, a Forensic Accountant may be retained by the R.C.M.P., the O.P.P., as well as by regional or local police forces and organizations such as the Law Society. A Forensic Accountant's report is prepared with the objective of presenting evidence in a professional and concise manner. Shareholders' and Partnership Disputes

These assignments often involve a detailed analysis of numerous years accounting records to quantify the issues in dispute. For example, a common issue that often arises is the compensation and benefits received by each of the disputing shareholders or partners. Personal Injury Claims / Motor Vehicle Accidents A Forensic Accountant is often asked to quantify the economic losses resulting from a motor vehicle accident. A Forensic Accountant needs to be familiar with the legislation in place which pertains to motor vehicle accidents. Cases of medical malpractice and wrongful dismissal often involve similar issues in calculating the resulting economic damages. Business Interruption / Other Types of Insurance Claims Insurance policies differ significantly as to their terms and conditions. Accordingly, these assignments involve a detailed review of the policy to investigate coverage issues and the appropriate method of calulating the loss. A Forensic Accountant is often asked to assist from either an insured or insurer's perspective in the settlement of a case. Examples of these types of assignments include; business interruptions, property losses and employee dishonesty (fidelity) claims. Business/Employee Fraud Investigations Business investigations can involve funds tracing, asset identification and recovery, forensic intelligence gathering and due diligence reviews. Employee fraud investigations often involve procedures to determine the existence, nature and extent of fraud and may concern the identification of a perpetrator. These investigations often entail interviews of personnel who had access to the funds and a detailed review of the documentary evidence. Matrimonial Disputes Matrimonial disputes from a Forensic Accounting point-of-view often involve the tracing, locating and evaluation of assets. The assets to be evaluated and valued may be businesses, property or other assets.

Business Economic Losses Examples of assignments involving business economic losses include; contract disputes, construction claims, expropriations, product liability claims, trademark and patent infringements and losses stemming from a breach of a non-competition agreement. Professional Negligence These investigations are often approached from two different but complimentary perspectives, these being:

Technical - has a breach of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Generally Accepted Auditing Standards or other standards of practice occurred; and Loss Quantification.

If the professional in question is an accountant then a Forensic Accountant could be involved with both perspectives. If the matter involves some other profession a Forensic Accountant will normally be retained to perform only a loss quantification. Mediation and Arbitration Because of their familiarity and comfort with legal issues and procedures some Forensic Accountants have sought out special training and become involved in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR services include both mediation and arbitration and are designed to help individuals and businesses resolve disputes with minimal disruption and in a timely fashion.

6. What types of assignments does a Forensic Accountant perform? Forensic Accountants become involved in a wide range of investigations, spanning many different industries. The practical and in-depth analysis that a Forensic Accountant will bring to a case helps uncover trends that bring to light the relevant issues.

Detailed below are various areas in which a Forensic Accountant will often become involved. Criminal Investigations Forensic investigations often relate to criminal investigations on behalf of police forces. For example, a Forensic Accountant may be retained by the R.C.M.P., the O.P.P., as well as by regional or local police forces and organizations such as the Law Society. A Forensic Accountant's report is prepared with the objective of presenting evidence in a professional and concise manner. Shareholders' and Partnership Disputes These assignments often involve a detailed analysis of numerous years accounting records to quantify the issues in dispute. For example, a common issue that often arises is the compensation and benefits received by each of the disputing shareholders or partners. Personal Injury Claims / Motor Vehicle Accidents A Forensic Accountant is often asked to quantify the economic losses resulting from a motor vehicle accident. A Forensic Accountant needs to be familiar with the legislation in place which pertains to motor vehicle accidents. Cases of medical malpractice and wrongful dismissal often involve similar issues in calculating the resulting economic damages. Business Interruption / Other Types of Insurance Claims Insurance policies differ significantly as to their terms and conditions. Accordingly, these assignments involve a detailed review of the policy to investigate coverage issues and the appropriate method of calulating the loss. A Forensic Accountant is often asked to assist from either an insured or insurer's perspective in the settlement of a case. Examples of these types of assignments include; business interruptions, property losses and employee dishonesty (fidelity) claims. Business/Employee Fraud Investigations

Business investigations can involve funds tracing, asset identification and recovery, forensic intelligence gathering and due diligence reviews. Employee fraud investigations often involve procedures to determine the existence, nature and extent of fraud and may concern the identification of a perpetrator. These investigations often entail interviews of personnel who had access to the funds and a detailed review of the documentary evidence. Matrimonial Disputes Matrimonial disputes from a Forensic Accounting point-of-view often involve the tracing, locating and evaluation of assets. The assets to be evaluated and valued may be businesses, property or other assets. Business Economic Losses Examples of assignments involving business economic losses include; contract disputes, construction claims, expropriations, product liability claims, trademark and patent infringements and losses stemming from a breach of a non-competition agreement. Professional Negligence These investigations are often approached from two different but complimentary perspectives, these being:

Technical - has a breach of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Generally Accepted Auditing Standards or other standards of practice occurred; and Loss Quantification.

If the professional in question is an accountant then a Forensic Accountant could be involved with both perspectives. If the matter involves some other profession a Forensic Accountant will normally be retained to perform only a loss quantification. Mediation and Arbitration Because of their familiarity and comfort with legal issues and procedures some Forensic Accountants have sought out special training and become involved in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

ADR services include both mediation and arbitration and are designed to help individuals and businesses resolve disputes with minimal disruption and in a timely fashion.

6. What types of assignments does a Forensic Accountant perform? Forensic Accountants become involved in a wide range of investigations, spanning many different industries. The practical and in-depth analysis that a Forensic Accountant will bring to a case helps uncover trends that bring to light the relevant issues. Detailed below are various areas in which a Forensic Accountant will often become involved. Criminal Investigations Forensic investigations often relate to criminal investigations on behalf of police forces. For example, a Forensic Accountant may be retained by the R.C.M.P., the O.P.P., as well as by regional or local police forces and organizations such as the Law Society. A Forensic Accountant's report is prepared with the objective of presenting evidence in a professional and concise manner. Shareholders' and Partnership Disputes These assignments often involve a detailed analysis of numerous years accounting records to quantify the issues in dispute. For example, a common issue that often arises is the compensation and benefits received by each of the disputing shareholders or partners. Personal Injury Claims / Motor Vehicle Accidents A Forensic Accountant is often asked to quantify the economic losses resulting from a motor vehicle accident. A Forensic Accountant needs to be familiar with the legislation in place which pertains to motor vehicle accidents. Cases of medical malpractice and wrongful dismissal often involve similar issues in calculating the resulting economic damages.

Business Interruption / Other Types of Insurance Claims Insurance policies differ significantly as to their terms and conditions. Accordingly, these assignments involve a detailed review of the policy to investigate coverage issues and the appropriate method of calulating the loss. A Forensic Accountant is often asked to assist from either an insured or insurer's perspective in the settlement of a case. Examples of these types of assignments include; business interruptions, property losses and employee dishonesty (fidelity) claims. Business/Employee Fraud Investigations Business investigations can involve funds tracing, asset identification and recovery, forensic intelligence gathering and due diligence reviews. Employee fraud investigations often involve procedures to determine the existence, nature and extent of fraud and may concern the identification of a perpetrator. These investigations often entail interviews of personnel who had access to the funds and a detailed review of the documentary evidence. Matrimonial Disputes Matrimonial disputes from a Forensic Accounting point-of-view often involve the tracing, locating and evaluation of assets. The assets to be evaluated and valued may be businesses, property or other assets. Business Economic Losses Examples of assignments involving business economic losses include; contract disputes, construction claims, expropriations, product liability claims, trademark and patent infringements and losses stemming from a breach of a non-competition agreement. Professional Negligence These investigations are often approached from two different but complimentary perspectives, these being:

Technical - has a breach of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Generally Accepted Auditing Standards or other standards of practice occurred; and Loss Quantification.

If the professional in question is an accountant then a Forensic Accountant could be involved with both perspectives. If the matter involves some other profession a Forensic Accountant will normally be retained to perform only a loss quantification. Mediation and Arbitration Because of their familiarity and comfort with legal issues and procedures some Forensic Accountants have sought out special training and become involved in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR services include both mediation and arbitration and are designed to help individuals and businesses resolve disputes with minimal disruption and in a timely fashion.

. Who retains a Forensic Accountant? Forensic Accountants are often retained by the following groups:

Lawyers; Police Forces; Insurance Companies; Government Regulatory Bodies and Agencies; Banks; Courts; and Business Community.

. What should I consider when retaining a Forensic Accountant?

The following issues should be considered on retaining a Forensic Accountant:

The experience and qualifications of the Forensic Accountant; A Forensic Accountant should be retained as early as possible in order to obtain maximum benefit. The assistance that a Forensic Accountant can provide early in the process can be significant in reducing the overall cost and maximizing the benefit. If retained early, a Forensic Accountant can assist with the Examination for Discovery, identify additional areas of damages, assist with settlement negotiations and provide a preliminary assessment of the quantum of damages; If a Forensic Accountant is engaged as an expert witness then he or she should be given access to all of the relevant documentation. If restrictions are imposed upon the scope of the investigation there may be an impact upon the acceptance of the findings; and In situations where counsel is involved, the Forensic Accountant should be retained by counsel so that the privilege which exists between the client and counsel will be extended to the work product of the Forensic Accountant

10. What characteristics should a Forensic Accountant possess? A capable Forensic Accountant should have the following characteristics:

curiosity; persistence; creativity; discretion; organization; confidence; and sound professional judgement.

A Forensic Accountant must be open to consider all alternatives, scrutinize the fine details and at the same time see the big picture. In addition, a Forensic

Accountant must be able to listen effectively and communicate clearly and concisely.