Insights on forensic accounting and financial investigation

Numbers don't pick sides or get nervous on the stand. A forensic accountant on why third-party financial records are the honest foundation of every case.

When a small business is involved in a divorce, the financial landscape becomes much more complex -- and the opportunities for manipulation are significant.

Divorce can be a tumultuous and emotionally charged time. The task of dividing assets can lead some individuals to hide money -- but why?

No single governing body owns the title 'forensic accountant.' Learn which credentials actually matter, and how opposing counsel uses courtroom tactics to discredit expert witnesses.

More often than not, embezzlers are trusted individuals within an organization -- those you'd least suspect. Understanding their common profiles helps businesses identify red flags.

Four situations in family law cases where a forensic accountant's expertise can make all the difference: small businesses, lifestyle discrepancies, missing discovery documents, and gut instinct.

A client's husband maliciously changed his business EIN, leaving her on the hook with the IRS for $380,000 in income she never received -- a real case illustrating how fraud can devastate a family.

At its core, forensic accounting is accounting with a detective twist -- it delves into financial records to detect discrepancies, trace hidden assets, and uncover potential fraud.

Credit card statements frequently disclose expenditures that are personal but paid through the business account -- a critical area of discovery in divorce proceedings.

Criminologist Donald Cressey identified three key elements that combine to create a high risk of fraud: pressure, opportunity, and rationalization.

When the numbers don't add up in a family law case, there's always a reason. Forensic accounting is the key to bridging the gap between what's reported and what's real.

The most effective fraud prevention mechanism is not complex software or stringent rules, but rather the perception of detection.

Anyone can put anything on a tax return. Here is how family law attorneys and individuals can spot income discrepancies and know when to dig deeper.

Unlike tax fraud, underreporting income in family law proceedings often leads to minimal consequences -- typically just a corrected calculation, and only if the discrepancy is caught.

Three real-world cases demonstrate how dramatically actual income can differ from reported income -- and what the difference means for child support and spousal maintenance.

PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App are regulated like financial institutions -- and their records are critical in divorce proceedings. Don't overlook them in discovery.

Two weeks into my role as an IRS Special Agent in St. Louis, I got an assignment that was radically different from what I'd expected.

Maggie Marriott has been selected as a participant in the prestigious Maryville Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Maryville program for 2024.

Krista Shelton, President of Focused Forensic Solutions, receives the Fred Von Behren Good Citizen Award from the Maryville Chamber of Commerce.

An open letter from a former IRS Special Agent to federal employees considering a new direction -- and how their skills can serve the victims who need them most.

Nothing evokes stronger feelings of anger and frustration than baseless allegations of fraud. Focused Forensic Solutions helps clients fight back.

While most people are honest and upfront about their financial situation, some will do anything to hide their assets during a divorce.

Many states -- including Missouri -- exclude depreciation when calculating income for child support, a fact that can dramatically change financial outcomes in cases involving small business owners.

There is a better alternative to traditional hourly billing for forensic accounting that gives clients clarity and answers without the daunting uncertainty of unpredictable costs.

Fraud doesn't take a day off. A snapshot of three real cases -- a business betrayal, hidden credit card debt, and vanishing income -- that illustrate the daily work of a forensic accountant.