So you’re being sued, the IRS is on hold on the phone, and you have receipts in a shoebox? Or your dog ate them? No problem.

Forensic accounting is the specialty practice area of accountancy that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation.

"Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work. Forensic accountants, also referred to as forensic auditors or investigative auditors, often have to give expert evidence at the eventual trial. In our experience we have learned that the courts want to be able to understand the basis for a calculation. It takes the combination of experience and presentation to be able to identify numbers in a way that everybody can understand where they came from. This is what we do.

We utilize an understanding of business information and financial reporting systems, accounting and auditing standards and procedures, evidence gathering and investigative techniques, and litigation processes and procedures to perform our work. Forensic accountants are also increasingly playing more proactive risk reduction roles by designing and performing extended procedures as part of the statutory audit, acting as advisers to audit committees, fraud deterrence engagements, and assisting in investment analyst research.

One of our partners, Stephanie Barganz, brings a rare combination of the vocational experience with designations as a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

This combination allows her to assess cases with a variety of wage impacts, calculate and present them in a manner that is suitable for both attorneys and jurors.