Detecting Deception: Gathering Evidence and Seeking Admission

Detecting Deception: Gathering Evidence and Seeking Admission | Kelly J. Todd

OPEN is a key word to remember when detecting deception. Open body language – and an open mind – are your best friends when looking for the truth. An open mind is going to help keep you in the “information-gathering” mode, which usually proves to be more effective than the gruff interrogation techniques you’ve seen […]

Detecting Deception: Body Language | Kelly J. Todd

Now that we’ve peeked behind the curtain of speech and facial expressions, it’s time to move on to body language. But before we focus on our subject’s nonverbal cues, let’s shine the light on our own body language. Remember: when detecting deception, we aren’t looking for the lie – we are looking for the truth. […]

Detecting Deception: Facial Expressions | Kelly J. Todd

THE FACIAL FAUX PAS Now that you have gathered your intel – you have your subject’s baseline squared away and you’ve peeked behind their words – it’s time to focus on the facial faux pas. There are many facial signs that are likely indicators of deceptive hot spots. When your subject’s expressions and gestures don’t […]

Detecting Deception: Speech and Voice as a Lie Detector | Kelly Todd

Once we’ve established the baseline, it’s time to drill down to expose the meaning behind the words. While body language has long been the focus of detecting deception, research has shown that the analysis of a person’s speech may be much more accurate than merely observing non-verbal behavior. No matter the lie, there will always […]

Detecting Deception: Calculating the Baseline | Kelly J. Todd

In my previous blog post, I noted that when assessing whether someone is lying, you must first consider the person’s baseline – their typical behavior. A LIAR IS CAUGHT… OR IS HE? Body language helps us identify a person’s stress signals of deception. The key word here is “helps” – body language is far from […]

Detecting Deception: Common Myths | Kelly J. Todd

THE MASTER OF DECEPTION Bernie Madoff infamously stole $65 billion reflecting 4,900 client accounts in a Ponzi scheme. All told, his investors lost approximately $20 billion of real principal. How was he able to look hundreds of people in the eye without arousing suspicion, all the while knowing he was robbing them blind? This man […]

Active Passive Appreciation – Active Efforts of Individuals | William C. Dameworth

As discussed previously, once it has been determined that a separate business interest appreciated in value during a marriage, learned treatises and case law often delineate the active passive analysis into the following elements: Identifying and quantifying market forces that caused the separate property appreciation. Identifying and quantifying the separate property appreciation caused by the […]

Active Passive Appreciation – Market Forces | William C. Dameworth

As discussed previously, once it has been determined that a separate business interest appreciated in value during a marriage, learned treatises and case law often delineate the active passive analysis into the following elements: Identifying and quantifying market forces that caused the separate property appreciation. Identifying and quantifying the separate property appreciation caused by the […]

Active Passive Appreciation – Causation | William C. Dameworth

The business appraiser performing an active passive appreciation analysis looks to their engaging legal counsel to define and interpret state law in the particular jurisdiction. An active passive analysis is performed when state divorce law requires a determination of whether, and under what circumstances, appreciation in otherwise separate property is classified as a divisible marital […]

Working Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast– Part III | Kelly Schmid

Part II of my working capital blog identified methods often used by business appraisers when forecasting working capital. In this installment, I will present some additional thoughts regarding this topic. Depending on the facts and circumstances, it is typically appropriate to consider the company’s historical working capital ratios and industry working capital metrics at the composite level (e.g. total working capital), as well as each separate component of working capital (e.g. accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, etc.).

Working Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast– Part II | Kelly Schmid

Part I of my working capital related blog addressed the impact on free cash flow of changes in current assets and changes in current liabilities, which are the two components that comprise working capital (calculated as current assets minus current liabilities). The combined impact of changes in current assets and changes in current liabilities equals the impact of changes in working capital on free cash flow. Part II of this blog identifies methods often used by business appraisers when forecasting working capital.

Working Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast – Part I | Kelly Schmid

In a business valuation income approach, the income stream being capitalized (in a capitalized income method) or discounted (in a discounted income method) is often the free cash flow generated by the entity being valued. Free cash flow is typically calculated on an after-tax basis, and represents the cash available to a company’s owners after […]

The Value of Advanced Data Analytics | Kelly J. Todd

A picture says a thousand words – and nothing tells a story better than electronic data. FSS has successfully used advanced data analytics for years to ferret out the truth and bring a story to life through data visualization, from supporting or challenging a plaintiff’s testimony to identifying the patterns and relationships that help uncover […]

Capital Expenditures, Depreciation and Amortization in a Cash Flow Forecast | Kelly Schmid

When valuing a private operating company, an appraiser is likely to use an income approach, either as the main valuation method or in conjunction with another method. Whether the appraiser capitalizes cash flows in a capitalized cash flow (“CCF”) model or uses forecasts of future cash flows in a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model, they have incorporated both explicit and implicit assumptions into the cash flows used in their model.

25 Years of FSS: Looking into the Past, Present and Future | Ralph Q. Summerford

25 years ago, a dream came true – Forensic Strategic Solutions (FSS) came to life! In October of 1992, FSS was created as the product of a plan to specialize in investigative financial services. We narrowed our scope to the specific field of fraud investigation, while also serving as expert witnesses on complicated financial matters. Many people thought such a niche practice would not be successful, but today, the industry continues to flourish. In fact, back in 1992, few people – especially in the general public – had even heard of forensic accounting. Most folks thought forensic accounting was providing accounting services to dead people!

Trust Your Employees, but Verify Their Actions | Kelly J. Todd

Our team recently wrapped up another sizeable fraud examination for a small business whose trusted bookkeeper embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars. While the names and the faces of fraud change, the story remains the same: the employee you least expect, the most trusted of them all, takes advantage of their position – and you […]

Technology is Changing Auditing | Ralph Q. Summerford

Or… has technology already changed auditing?

The accounting and auditing world is buzzing with talk of how automation and other technologies will reshape the accounting profession. Oh, how slow this world catches on! The reshape should have already taken place as both technology and automation have far surpassed the capabilities and knowledge of most auditors.

Analyzing Assumptions in a Cash Flow Forecast | Kelly Schmid

Forecasts of future cash flows within the income approach to business valuation are loaded with assumptions. During my nearly two decades of business valuation experience, I have reviewed hundreds of valuation reports prepared by other experts that serve as a constant reminder that mathematical accuracy does not always equate to a reasonable value. I have seen erroneous assumptions made by business appraisers that range from illogical disconnects within the valuation to outright errors or unsubstantiated speculation. 

Best Practices for Employers: Conflicts of Interest | Kelly J. Todd

In my last blog, I discussed why corruption in the workplace always requires a conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest arise when employees have interests that may make it difficult to maintain one’s duty of loyalty to their company in an objective and effective manner. Quashing all conflicts of interest within businesses would be difficult to conduct; therefore, it is important to know how to reduce the risks inherent in conflicts of interest.

Why Corruption Always Requires a Conflict of Interest | Kelly J. Todd

When it comes to corruption, there is almost always a common denominator: a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists when an individual or corporation has the opportunity – real or perceived – to exploit their position for personal or corporate benefit. Corruption occurs when the individual or corporation takes advantage of that opportunity and indeed abuses their position for private gain.

The Give and the Take in Charitable Giving | Ralph Q. Summerford

Charitable giving, while good with intent, is not always received as expected. Let’s say you and I give to a seemingly worthwhile charity. You may be surprised at who really takes from the charity – frequently, it’s the fundraisers and executives. Oftentimes the fundraisers and executives are one in the same, since many founders will leave the charity to start a consulting and fundraising business to contract with the charity. This is really where it begins to get out of hand.

Fraud Suspected in the Workplace? Employers, You Better Read This – Part Two | Kelly J. Todd

When you think of fraud within an organization, a newer employee may be top-of-mind, but according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), seven percent of perpetrators committed fraud during their first year and more than 53 percent had been with their organization for more than five years.

Fraud Suspected in the Workplace? Employers, You Better Read This – Part One | Kelly J. Todd

There’s no way around it—according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, an estimated five percent of annual revenues are lost to financial crime. What do these numbers mean for you? Big or small, public or private – with statistics like these, there’s a good chance your business is more likely than not to fall victim to internal fraud.

A Lesson on Investigating Fraud from A Fictional Investigator | Ralph Q. Summerford

As a frequent speaker on the subject of fraud, people often ask me, “How do you investigate fraud?” My answer is always the same: You look for the anomaly. To me, it sounds so simple until I step back and realize that most people cannot see the anomaly, although it is usually right in front of them.

Identifying Fraud Symptoms: What Really Goes on Between the Balance Sheets? Part II | Kelly J. Todd

Identifying fraud symptoms in financial statements requires observation and recognition. If you don’t look, you’re unlikely to find it. Worse yet, if you do look, are you sure you will recognize the symptoms of fraud?

Identifying Fraud Symptoms: What Really Goes on Between the Balance Sheets? | Kelly J. Todd

Fraud, unlike acts of terror, murder, or bank robbery, is rarely observed. Instead, only symptoms or indicators, most often exhibited through changes in the financial statements, are present.

Careful Out There – Ponzi Schemes are Alive and Well | Ralph Q. Summerford

With all of the publicity that surrounded the Bernard Madoff, Scott Rothstein, ZeekRewards and Allen Stanford Ponzi schemes, among many others, you would think that people would have by now received the message about Ponzi Schemes; how they work and how those investors lose their money.

When Crowdfunding Becomes Crowdfrauding | Leslie P. Littrell

Crowdfunding is the relatively new process of using social media to receive small contributions from many different individual investors.

Know Your ABCs – Serving on Nonprofit Boards | Forensic Strategic Solutions

As professionals, many of us have had or will have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit organization. This can be a rewarding experience and a way to maintain civic involvement and a connection to the community. But what if the nonprofit organization is defrauded by an employee, or worse yet, by the CEO? This event can have serious ramifications, especially if the organization receives government grants, not to mention the effects on those whom the nonprofit benefits.

When Should You Start Looking for Fraud? | Kelly J. Todd

Larger organizations are more likely to experience fraud by an employee’s misuse of influence in a business transaction in order to gain a direct or indirect benefit. Small organizations, however, typically fall victim to the rogue employee who directly steals the organization’s assets or misuses its resources.

Look for the anomaly to find fraud | Ralph Q. Summerford

Events may happen in a person’s life that can lead to an act of desperation. And desperate people may take irrational actions. I am talking about bad economic times, the failure of a business, the loss of a job, divorce, a family member on drugs, disease, children in trouble, criminal acts by a family member […]

Time off to discover fraud | Lindsay H. Gill

Regardless of the time of year, employees will always have reasons to come and go in the office. Vacations, conferences and meetings are a regular part of most employees’ daily schedules.  So rather than worrying about the empty chair they leave behind, take advantage of the time they take off to measure efficiency and expose […]

Preventing fraud during the holidays | Lindsay H. Gill

As we discussed in last week’s blog post, there can be more fraud during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. A few quick steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability to fraud include: Be present – The perception of detection is often one of the strongest controls against fraud.  Business owners need […]

Why is there more fraud during the holidays? | Lindsay H. Gill

Fraud happens all the time, but the holiday season provides situations that people may try to take advantage of. The “fraud triangle” has three points to it: Need or Greed Opportunity Rationalization During the holidays, we often see changes in two of these points: increased need or greed and increased opportunity. People want to be […]

Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud: Defensive Measures | Ralph Q. Summerford

Now that you’ve gained valuable information from the first and second parts of our educational series, Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud, we offer insight into defensive measures. It is extremely important to understand the necessity of an adequately controlled investigation.  The moment embezzlement or fraud is suspected,steps should be taken to mitigate the company’s damages while assuring […]

Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud: What Can Go Wrong? | Ralph Q. Summerford

Welcome to the second installment of our three-part educational series on Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud. Catch up on part one, Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud: Developing An Action Plan. Simply adopting an action plan doesn’t necessarily eliminate the risk altogether. What can go wrong? Many varied problems. The reason unexpected situations arise is because they are unexpected. […]

Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud: Developing An Action Plan | Ralph Q. Summerford

We’d like to introduce our three-part educational series on Guarding Against Embezzlement Fraud. In this first installment, we will discuss preventive measures you can take. The second part will explain how embezzlement cases can bring about unexpected problems, and the third and final part of our series will discuss defensive measures. It’s not something business […]