BIRMNGHAM, Ala. (June 10, 2013) — Forensic Strategic Solutions, Inc. today announced the addition of an Accounting Malpractice practice area that leverages accounting and auditing knowledge and forensic investigative techniques to bring clarity to malpractice investigations. The practice group is led by Ralph Q. Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, Inc., who is a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner with more than 40 years of field experience in lost profits and damages.

Members of FSS’ Accounting Malpractice group include nine CPAs and Certified Fraud Examiners who serve as faculty for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). They advise clients – both plaintiffs and defendants – in accounting malpractice cases such as failure to follow professional standards or regulatory procedures, fraud schemes not uncovered by CPAs in an audit or review and fraud committed by a CPA.  FSS’ professionals have experience serving as expert witnesses in hundreds of depositions and in the courtroom for plaintiffs and defendants.

“We have performed accounting malpractice investigations for many years,” said Summerford. “The formalization of a practice area is the natural next step for us to evolve our service offerings and enhance our clients’ experiences with our professionals. Our investigative techniques, knowledge and dedication to uncovering fraudulent and negligent activities have resulted in many successes for our clients; we look forward to continuing to serve our clients and helping to position them best for optimal outcomes.”

On June 6, 2013, Summerford served as a presenter at the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants’ annual conference at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center in Birmingham, Ala., where he spoke on “The Underbelly of Accounting Malpractice” and shared case studies and strategies for malpractice detection and examination. He is a faculty member for ACFE, for which he travels the United States and abroad teaching fraud examination courses to auditors, bank examiners, law enforcement, attorneys and financial analysts. Additionally, he is a recipient of the 2010 Cressey Award, ACFE’s highest honor, which recognizes a lifetime of achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud.