Forensic Accounting

At Armstrong Watson, we have built a centre of excellence in forensic accounting. The service we provide is expert-led, with the key individuals having years of experience in dispute resolution. The whole team is trained to acknowledge, and embrace the fact, that each case is different, and therefore requires original thinking to provide our clients with the advice they require. Honesty, integrity and passion are central to all that we do. Our standards are high, as is the quality of our work. That is what our clients expect, and why they come back to us.

We receive instructions from solicitors, insurers, prosecuting authorities, companies, insolvency practitioners and private individuals. Whatever the nature of the assignment, we will work with you in a skilled, timely and cost-effective manner, helping you to navigate your way through the numbers. We have years of experience covering most areas of litigation and this means that we offer you technical expertise combined with strategic and commercial awareness.

Our expert team is always on hand throughout the whole process – not just toward the end when things are heating up. Often early input from us can assist you in determining the nature of the evidence required or the relevance of evidence disclosed, provide a strengths and weaknesses overview of the claim, as well as give insight on possible valuation scenarios and strategy. 

Our early involvement often assists in matters settling at an earlier stage and helps to minimise costs. We are happy to agree the nature and cost of any work in advance and do not have a ‘one size fits all’ approach to our work. For example, we can report verbally by telephone/video call, or in writing via a file note, letter, informal advisory report, or formal expert’s report. We recognise that each matter is unique and so our approach and product is tailored to fit you.

Commercial litigation & Dispute Resolution

It is a fact of business that disagreements and disputes arise which require resolution. An independent accountant can be crucial in assessing the financial consequences of a commercial dispute and being able to present relevant, corroborated, and persuasive arguments to the other party. Whether instructed in an expert or advisory capacity, we are able to assist in a wide range of commercial disputes.

Criminal & Civil Investigations

We are frequently instructed by prosecuting authorities and defence lawyers to assist in the financial aspects of criminal investigations. We regularly assist in cases involving fraud, theft, money laundering, Consumer Credit Act offences, sale and production of counterfeit goods and other criminal activities. We also have extensive experience of dealing with confiscations and case seizures.

Insolvency Related Litigation

Fraud by a director, employee or third party can have a devastating impact on a business. We can rapidly assess the nature and extent of the fraud and present the evidence, for say employee disciplinary proceedings, civil litigation or mediation, to minimise the impact for the victim business.

Financial Investigations & Contentious Probate

A person can be appointed as executor, trustee, or power of attorney, whilst having little experience of dealing with the management of significant funds. This can lead to the inadvertent or deliberate mismanagement of funds. We have significant experience of unravelling the often-extensive financial transactions in such cases.

Health & Safety Executive Prosecutions

When sentencing in Health and Safety Executive prosecutions, the guidance stipulates that turnover should be used as a starting point however there may be other factors, both non-financial and financial which the Court will need to consider. We can be instructed by either the prosecution or defence to report on the overall financial position of a business and its ability to pay such a fine.

Services for Insurers

We have extensive experience of quantifying losses in insurance-backed litigation including personal injury and fatal accident claims, professional negligence claims and subrogation/recovery actions in relation to business interruption claims paid out by insurers.

Personal Injury Related Claims

In personal injury related claims, we are often instructed either in an advisory capacity or as an expert where the injured party is self-employed, runs their own business or has a complex structure to their earnings.

Professional Negligence

The consequential losses suffered following an act of professional negligence can often be unclear and difficult to quantify. We are able to help in understanding the quantum evidence and to present the financial losses in a clear and concise manner.

Business Valuation

There is a variety of reasons why it might be necessary to value a business, or a shareholding in a business. Our experts have experience of providing advice in either an advisory capacity or as an expert. We are often instructed in matrimonial matters.

Resources

We are able to utilise specialist software and modelling techniques to convert complex or voluminous information into readily understandable data for those instructing us or the Court.

Call NOW to speak to one of our Forensic Accounting advisers

Call: 0808 144 5575

What our clients say

Key contact

Matthew Geale, Partner, Head of Forensic Accounting

Matthew Geale

Partner, Head of Forensic Accounting

Call: 0113 2211420

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