Forensic Accounting

Forensic Accounting Services and Advice

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.

Meet our team

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

Download our Standard Forensic Business Terms July 2020

What our clients say

Matthew was a critical part of the Defence team and his comprehensive report, which followed detailed research into the Renewable Heating Initiative and forensic analysis of the available business accounts, lent considerable weight to the argument that the Claimant and his business had in fact suffered no loss whatsoever as a result of the accident in respect of which compensation was claimed.

Anthony Bushell, Plexus

I can be quite honest in saying that the joint statement between Matthew and Kate Hart was the most persuasive piece of evidence we had, and it certainly tipped the balance in our favour – so thanks to you and Matthew for your hard work on this case, it really paid off.

Michelle Gallagher, Horwich Farrelly

I recently instructed Matthew Geale and Lindsay Tarrant as expert witness in a hard fought High Court case where my client was on the receiving end of an £11 million loss of profit counterclaim. By the time the date of trial arrived, Matthew and Lindsay had successfully persuaded the opponent’s expert witness that his client’s claim was, at best, worth less than a tenth of that amount and in fact the opponents caved in on the first day. Matthew and Lindsay presented as a highly skilled and experienced team. They worked very hard indeed on the case, were responsive and available and, above all, injection a good deal of fun into the litigation. I’d not hesitate to instruct them again.

Geraint Pinches, Gunnercooke

Of Matthew, “…you managed to make a dry subject and what followed in court quite entertaining whilst remaining measured and professional throughout, which is more than I can say for some experts I have used in the past. I will not hesitate instructing Matthew and Lindsay in the future”.

Richard Payne, Irwin Mitchell

The Operation name is Operation Pironi and is concerned with allegations of theft and misuse of funds in a children’s cancer charity based in Chesterfield, by those who ran it. Liesel Annible of Armstrong Watson, Leeds, was appointed following your [NCA’s] recommendation. She had previous experience of a similar investigation with Hampshire Police and that experience shone through during our meetings with her and in her advice. The location of her office was also considered appropriate.

Liesel made herself and her staff available to the investigating officers from the moment of her appointment. She makes use of Altia software and has examined and analysed charity accounting records over a period of several years from 2012 to 2017. The records are poor quality with a large number of items missing. We have now received a draft report of 68 pages which is crammed with information extracted from the various records she has examined. In my view it is extremely well put together in a sensible, readable format, although its contents will clearly need some checking before a final version is presented. This lady knows her stuff. It has been a delight to work with her and I have no hesitation in recommending her to other investigations.

Investigating officer, Derbyshire Police

Having sought the expertise of Paul Black at Armstrong Watson to provide valuations of a number of complex business interests and shareholdings for court proceedings, I cannot praise Paul and his team highly enough. The knowledge and advice provided was exceptional and played a significant part in reaching a positive outcome for the client. Paul went above and beyond what could have been expected of him and his calm, confident manner was much appreciated. The service provided was outstanding.

Carolyn Paton of Elizabeth Welsh Family Law

Matthew and team helped us with an urgent commercial dispute that required a turnaround in a matter of days. They leapt to work immediately, debated issues with us in real time, responded positively as new information arose, and thereby delivered a good expert report, on schedule.

Paul Widger, Clyde & Co

I'm pleased to say that your report directly led to the successful settlement of this case, and that we were very pleased with the quality and delivery of your report – thanks to you and Lindsay!

Victoria Wilson, Mischcon de Reya LLP

Case studies

Forensic Accounting