Accounting Malpractice Lawsuits: The Importance of CPAs Seeking Outside Counsel

Accounting Malpractice

When a national accounting firm was sued for its failure to follow generally accepted auditing standards which would have uncovered a scheme that duped the bankers and the purchaser of a small manufacturing company, FSS was hired to investigate the allegations and testify before an arbitration panel. A private equity fund made a stock purchase […]

The Power of Advanced Data Analytics | Lindsay H. Gill

Lindsay H. Gill, director of forensic technology, explains the benefits advanced data analytics bring to financial investigations Advanced data analytics can provide unparalleled insights when attorneys enlist forensic investigators, helping to ensure vital information does not go undetected.

Analyzing the Variety of Data | Lindsay H. Gill

Lindsay H. Gill, director of forensic technology, discusses the differences between structured data – or “traditional” data – and unstructured data, which investigators use to help fill the holes or see the bigger picture within a case. Lindsay also explains how forensic investigators should use and compare structured and unstructured data.

Speech, Voice and Body Language as a Lie Detector | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how investigators can use vocal tone and body language as a lie detector. Kelly also outlines how statement analysis can help an investigator understand the meaning behind the words, and highlights body language red flags to look for in an interview.

Detecting Deception: Determining the Baseline | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, explains that everyone has a “norm”– a basic pattern of behavior that they exhibit under normal amounts of stress, which is also known as their baseline. In this video, Kelly outlines the steps to take to determine the baseline during an interview. She […]

Myths in Detecting Deception | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses common myths in detecting deception. Contrary to popular belief, detecting deception can be a challenge, as people tend to focus on the wrong signals. Kelly explains misconceptions about the behaviors and body language of someone who is lying, and how to increase […]

Causation in an Active Passive Analysis | Bill Dameworth

William C. Dameworth, managing member and member in charge of valuation services, discusses various components of an active passive analysis, and the jurisdictional differences that can exist. In this video, Bill focuses on  a common theme that runs throughout active passive analyses – causation. He also discusses the allocation of appreciation between the various factors […]

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Effects on Alimony Litigation | Kelly Schmid

Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services, examines how divorces executed after December 31, 2018 will be affected by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Kelly discusses the numerous ways that the Act will affect how alimony is negotiated, as well its possible impact on prior divorce agreements, which should be revisited.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Effects on Business Valuations | Kelly Schmid

Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services, explores how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 might affect businesses valuations. Kelly explains the importance of business appraisers proactively discussing with management the expected utilization of enhanced cash flows from tax savings. Kelly also discusses the need for business appraisers to consider using longer-term discounted cash […]

Using Data to Tell a Story & Find the Answers | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how FSS uses advanced data analytics to ferret out the truth in fraud investigations via data visualization. Kelly explains how electronic evidence and data can be leveraged in forensic investigations, from verifying or challenging a plaintiff’s testimony to identifying trends and patterns […]

Leveraging Technology in Auditing | Ralph Q. Summerford

Ralph Q. Summerford, president, discusses technology’s presence in the world of forensic accounting, focusing on the old – data mining – and the new – artificial intelligence and digital currency, such as bitcoin. He explains how FSS has extensive experience in leveraging these technologies to take their work to the next level, and stresses the […]

The Benefits of Technology in Auditing | Ralph Q. Summerford

Ralph Q. Summerford, president, examines the benefits data mining and artificial intelligence provide to auditors. Ralph discusses the differences between these technologies, and how they help auditors spot trends and unusual transactions. While auditors are beginning to introduce data mining and artificial intelligence into their processes, Ralph stresses that these technologies do not allow auditors […]

Accounting Malpractice Lawsuits: The Importance of CPAs Seeking Outside Counsel | Ralph Q. Summerford

Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the importance and benefits of CPAs hiring outside counsel if they are at the center of an accounting malpractice case. He also discusses confusion that CPAs often have surrounding accounting malpractice insurance.

Accounting Malpractice Lawsuits: The Value a CFE Brings to Attorneys | Ralph Q. Summerford

Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the critical value a certified public accountant (CPA) who is also a certified fraud examiner (CFE) can add to an accounting malpractice case for attorneys, whether the attorney is prosecuting or defending an accountant. One of the greatest values a CFE can add is their ability to translate […]

Depreciation & Capital Expenditures – Business Valuations | Kelly Schmid

Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the process of estimating depreciation expenses and capital expenditures in a cash flow forecast. She also examines how an incorrect estimate can impact a business valuation.

What Are Capital Expenditures & How Do They Depreciate? | Kelly Schmid

Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, explains what capital expenditures are (also known as fixed assets). She also discusses the replacement and depreciation of capital expenditures, as well as the common misconception that depreciation and capital expenditures should always be equal in a normalized cash flow forecast.

Conflicts of Interest: Educational Tools for Employers | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly Todd, managing member at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses how conflicts of interest can arise in the workplace and challenges associated with conflicts of interests that employers often face. She also discusses educating employees on conflicts and how to detect conflicts.

The Common Denominator of Corruption: Conflicts of Interest | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly Todd, managing member at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the close relationship between conflicts of interest and corruption. She also discusses preventative measures that can be taken to minimize opportunities for conflicts of interest to morph into corruption.

Active/Passive Appreciation in Divorce Litigation: Part Two | William C. Dameworth

Active/Passive Appreciation in Divorce Litigation: Part One | William C. Dameworth

Leveraging Social Media in Fraud Investigations – II | Lindsay H. Gill

Lindsay Gill, director of forensic technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, shares insight into the benefits associated with attorneys hiring forensic investigators to uncover evidence on suspects’ social media accounts. She also discusses how to authenticate the evidence gathered and the methods to do so.

Leveraging Social Media in Fraud Investigations – I | Lindsay H. Gill

Lindsay Gill, director of forensic technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses social media and its role as a helpful tool to uncover fraudulent electronic evidence in an investigation. She also describes best practices for forensic investigators to collect, analyze and interpret findings to connect the dots.

What to do When You Suspect Fraud at Your Organization – II | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how to handle the alleged perpetrator, including notifying the perpetrator, conducting an admission-seeking interview and restricting the wrongdoing employee from company access. She also notes the importance of notifying your insurer when you think you might have fraud occurring in your organization.

What to do When You Suspect Fraud at Your Organization – I | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses the prevalence of fraud in businesses and actions one should take when they suspect fraud in their organization, including assembling a team for the fraud investigation and securing potential evidence.

Accounting Malpractice: When CPAs Miss the Fraud | Leslie P. Littrell

Leslie Littrell, forensic analyst at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses accounting malpractice and the recent increase in claims as well as the importance of fraud education. Ms. Parker cites FSS’ work with Auburn University to develop its forensic accounting courses within its Master of Accountancy program as an effort to help expand the knowledge of fraud […]

Data Analytics with a Focus on Technology | Lindsay H. Gill

Lindsay Gill, director of technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, reviews the key areas in which technology has changed the landscape of fraud investigation and how data continues to become a growing risk for businesses.

Business Valuation for Private Companies | William C. Dameworth

Bill Dameworth, member in charge of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the differences between the valuation of privately-held and publicly-held companies and those focused on profit maximization versus tax minimization.

Employee Fraud Awareness Training | Kelly J. Todd

Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, gives fraud prevention tips aligning with the ACFE 2014 Report to the Nations research describing employee fraud awareness training as an extremely effective way to reinforce fraud policies, encourage anonymous tips from whistleblowers and establish compliance.

Fraud in Charitable Non-Profit Organizations | Ralph Q. Summerford

Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, cites recent New York Times statistics to help reveal some reasons for the high frequency of fraud in non-profits, including high turnover, poor management and lack of tax audit enforcement. All of these issues make it increasingly difficult for the IRS and law enforcement to uncover and prosecute […]

How Getting Too Close to Clients Can Lead Accountant Malpractice Claims | Ralph Q. Summerford

Accountant malpractice claims have been a growth industry for litigators for more than two decades, thanks to increasingly strict professional standards for auditors and accountants.   And there’s no letup in sight. In fact, even in 2020, with the coronavirus wreaking havoc with the business community, regulators have continued to crack down on auditors who […]

Accountant Malpractice Claims Are Likely to Rise. Are You Prepared? | Ralph Q. Summerford

CPAs, especially those in smaller accounting practices, usually have close relationships with their clients—and rightfully so. After all, who else is better positioned to understand clients’ finances and businesses than their trusted accountants? That is until they suffer a financial fraud scheme that a CPA has failed to uncover. Then, what I call the “client […]

Brilliance v. Ethics – Which One Wins? | Ralph Q. Summerford

Originally published by ACFE Insights. Smart people commit fraud every day. A recent case gives us a prime example. A federal judge asked Donald Watkins, Sr. to step away from the jury box as Watkins, Sr. made an impassioned plea in his closing argument. Watkins, Sr. was in the personal space of front-row jurors, who were […]

Auditors Who Stole the Exam Are Convicted of Fraud | Ralph Q. Summerford

This failure of duty matters – it violates public trust and costs innocent people their jobs, their pensions and above all – faith in a system. The Wall Street Journal reported on March 11, 2019 that David Middendorf, the former national managing partner for audit quality and professional practice at KPMG, and co-defendant, Jeffrey Wada, […]

Big 4 CPA Firm Knew in Advance Which Audits Would Be Inspected by Government Watchdogs | Ralph Q. Summerford

This is violation of trust, and it matters! Auditors must design their audits to look for fraud, and failure to do so may cause massive losses for stakeholders, investors, creditors and retirees. Neglecting to detect fraud can be truly life-altering — especially for retirees. While teaching a business ethics class in Jackson, Mississippi, I was […]

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.

28th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Nashville — Like a Fine Wine | Ralph Q. Summerford

The premier annual conference for anti-fraud professionals just concluded in Nashville at Music City Center. Nashville has every reason to beat its chest about this new venue — it is just fantastic. It’s as good as, if not better than, any conference center in any major city across the country.

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.

Benefits of Seeking Independent Counsel in an Accounting Malpractice Lawsuit | Ralph Q. Summerford

Most CPAs will never face the underbelly of an accounting malpractice lawsuit. Those who do, however, will say the challenges are something they never want to experience again in their lives.

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.

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.

Accounting Malpractice Is a Growth Industry | Ralph Q. Summerford

CPA’s have close relationships with their clients (especially in smaller accounting practices) and rightfully so. Who else is better to understand their client’s financial and business affairs than their trusted CPA? And the relationship generally remains close…

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]