A forensic accounting expert’s work can have far-reaching impacts, from upholding financial integrity to shaping corporate governance and accountability. But how do these experts accomplish their tasks?
Having a background in securities, trading and derivatives, this expert has provided research reports and Court evidence in a broad range of litigation/arbitration cases, including complex synthetic products, client/bank disputes and market misconduct.
Expertise in the Area
A finance expert witness can help with legal proceedings involving financial trades and retirement planning matters. This type of expert can also support fraud investigations involving forensic accounting.
To select the best finance expert witness for a case, attorneys should conduct thorough research and review their qualifications and experience to ensure that their expertise aligns with the specific needs of the litigation. Attorneys can also schedule initial consultations with potential candidates to evaluate the candidate’s fit for the case and determine if they have the proper communication skills needed for effective collaboration.
A forensic accountant can support cases involving mortgage fraud, bank and loan operations, stock market misconduct, corporate bankruptcy, derivatives, and client/bank disputes. Their knowledge can be beneficial in assisting lawyers with litigation consulting, deposition testimony, research and preparing expert reports and opinions, arbitration, and trial. This expert has extensive experience analyzing losses, performing lost profit calculations, conducting financial analysis, and providing deposition testimony in courtrooms around the US.
Expertise in the Documents
Forensic accounting expert witnesses are adept at examining and interpreting financial documents to uncover fraud or other inconsistencies. This includes evaluating the accuracy and completeness of records, tracking transactions, analyzing trends and patterns, calculating business valuations, and determining economic damages in litigation cases.
These experts also have strong communication skills that enable them to convey complex information in a digestible way for attorneys and the court. They also assist attorneys with discovery and evidence gathering. They prepare comprehensive reports and exhibits that detail their findings, interpretations, and conclusions.
Any legal case requiring a sensitive financial investigation should involve an experienced finance expert witness who works with plaintiff and defense attorneys to help them through each stage of the litigation process in diverse jurisdictions.
Expertise in the Case
Expert witnesses often provide litigation support in business, finance, credit, banking, and bankruptcy cases. In cases where the subject matter requires knowledge or background the judge does not possess, experts are critical in explaining these complex details and developing a case theory and strategy.
An expert witness must be able to answer questions about the case in a way that makes sense to a jury, even though they may need to be more accustomed to hearing expert testimony. That is why thorough vetting of an expert witness is crucial to the case’s success.
This expert began their career as an expert witness by successfully defending a bank in a multi-million dollar lawsuit involving posting procedure, kitting, check processing, and float management. Moreover, their occupation as mortgage and lending consultants keeps them updated on the latest techniques, products and technology used in financial institutions. They know the role and responsibilities of the borrower, loan originator, processor, appraiser, underwriter, document drawer, funder and escrow officer. They are also experienced in performing lost profit calculations, business valuations and reasonable royalty analyses.
Expertise in Testimony
The expert’s testimony is where the rubber hits the road. The expert’s expertise in this area is tested during cross-examination by the opposing party’s counsel and the judge or jury. The expert should be able to withstand the challenge.
During their testimony, the experts should be able to communicate complicated matters clearly and concisely. They should be able to answer questions from the fact-finder and provide supporting documentation for their statements. They should also be able to explain technical terms and concepts to a non-technical audience.
A finance expert witness’s work could include:
- Forensic accounting investigations.
- Economic damages calculations.
- Litigation support services.
- Research and writing reports.
- Deposition and trial testimony.
- Arbitration and mediation.
This expert has a background in litigation consulting and has performed numerous economic analyses for plaintiffs and defendants. His experience includes commercial disputes, shareholder and bank/client dispute cases, valuation, disgorgement/unjust enrichment, tracing and fraud investigation issues.
