FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
Kaufman & Company P.A. provides litigation support and forensic accounting services throughout South Florida. Corporate disputes, misappropriation of assets, and fraud are all a part of our current business environment. Companies lose massive amounts to fraud every year. Our expert witness services are available to assist legal counsel and business owners with the investigation, analysis, and interpretation of financial data to accurately quantify and substantiate economic damages or fraud in legal proceedings.
Not only is the accurate quantification of economic damages vital to the success of most legal cases, the presentation and transparency of financial information is equally important and helps juries and judges understand complex financial issues so they can make informed decisions. Kaufman & Company’s commitment to thorough preparation, in-depth analysis, and quality has earned us a sterling reputation for effective and credible expert witness testimony. Our litigation support and forensic accounting team consists of credentialed professionals who are Juris Doctor (JD), Certified Public Accountants (CPA’s), Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA) Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).
We assist legal counsel and business owners in the following litigation support and forensic accounting services.
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Owner Disputes and Resolutions
Business owners agree upon the manner and method of running their business when they first open shop. However, sometimes, the relationship sours and the owners are forced into a situation where the business relationship must end. The compensation and benefits given to each of the owners is one of the more common issues in these cases.
Marital Dissolution
Often times the most contested parts of a divorce come down to dollars and cents. Let our experienced team make sure you end up with the proper calculations. At Kaufman & Company we understand the tax consequences of the division of assets. Not all assets are the same. Expert advice is critical in marital dissolutions.
Business Economic Losses, Damages and Lost Profits
These kinds of engagements include contract disputes, construction claims, expropriations, product liability claims, trademark and patent infringements, and losses stemming from an alleged breach of a non-compete agreement.
Forensic Accounting
By definition, fraud litigation demands an understanding of the methods individuals or companies use to hide or steal assets. We have the experience you need to uncover these situations.
Investigative Accounting
Occasionally, you may need to explore whether fraud or misconduct has occurred, such as employee theft of property or inventory, misappropriation of funds by employees, kickbacks to employees from outside businesses, securities fraud, and insurance fraud.
With our investigative accounting services, we bring to bear our extensive accounting knowledge and experience in the field to give you a clear understanding of the situation. When you retain our expertise, we:
- review the situation and offer suggestions for possible courses of action;
- assist with the protection and recovery of assets;
- coordinate with other experts, including private investigators, forensic document examiners, and consulting engineers; and
- assist with any necessary civil action or criminal prosecution.
Fraud Investigations
The investigation of employee fraud often requires a determination of the extent of the fraud. The identity of the perpetrator is sometimes known. At other times, it may be necessary to conduct the investigation to identify the source of the fraud. Staff interviews can be effective in identifying the internal control points where potential diversion of business assets could occur
Criminal and Civil Tax Cases
Because of our extensive experience representing clients before the IRS and state taxing authorities, we have a unique perspective on criminal investigations. We understand that a criminal investigation could result in loss of personal liberty or fines, serious sanctions or some combination of consequences.
We understand the methods used in criminal investigations. Determining the appropriate course of action during the investigation can significantly reduce the possibility of a negative outcome.
Litigation Consulting
We understand that business litigation can all come down to the numbers. Let us help you by taking the numbers out of your hands. You can work on other matters while we make the calculations you need for your case.
- assist in obtaining the necessary documentation to support or refute a claim;
- examine the relevant documentation to form an assessment of the case;
- review the damages report by the opposing expert;
- assist with settlement discussions and negotiations; and
- attend trial to hear the testimony of the opposing expert and provide assistance with cross-examination.
Expert Witness Testimony
The culmination of a successful forensic accounting assignment is communicating the results to the judge and jury. Based on our extensive experience and technical skills, we have developed methods and procedures for clearly presenting the results of our analyses in understandable charts and graphs which will assist the audience in understanding the essential elements of our work. Allow us to share our skill for your benefit.
Business Valuations
Contract damages may be based on the diminution of business value or the total loss of the value of a business as a result of bad acts. In situations requiring business valuation expertise, our Certified Valuation Analysts and CPAs Accredited in Business Valuation by the AICPA are ready to undertake the assignment. In addition, we handle business valuation engagements in situations other than litigation such as:
- IRS business valuation for estate or gift tax reporting for IRS forms 706 and 709
- partner buyout
- business purchase or sale consulting
- asset and goodwill valuation for financial reporting purposes
- asset allocation and goodwill calculations for business acquisitions
- professional practice valuations
- privately held business valuations
- IRC 409A valuations
