Do you question the loyalty of a few of your employees? Are you concerned that someone may be stealing from your business? You can have confidence in forensic accounting services or obtain solid proof of theft. Since more than 70 years ago, forensic accounting practices have been used to hold employees accountable and aid firms in the detection and recovery of stolen goods.
The Best Way to Find a Forensic Accountant
Someone who has never dealt with fraud before could feel overwhelmed when looking for forensic accounting services. Here are some easy pointers to assist:
- Search for a company, not a person. Agencies offer more consistent service quality than individuals since they need to maintain a good reputation to continue in business.
- Call the forensic accountant and share your concerns with them. Based on the facts you submit, a competent forensic accountant can provide you with advice on the likelihood of fraud.
- Request the credentials of the forensic accountant. They ought to have knowledge of accounting practices for businesses like yours (i.e., not-for-profit, manufacturing).
- Before you move further, ask about the schedule and scope. The starting scope of the inquiry should be specified, even though forensic accounting investigations might grow into substantial enterprises.
What Are the Steps in the Forensic Accounting Process?
Unlike higher-level financial audits, which only look at statement correctness, forensic accounting services methods show or disprove theft by looking at specific transactions. So, compared to audits, forensic accounting is more precise and focused. The following three processes should be anticipated if you use forensic accounting services:
Step 1-Investigation: Your forensic accountant will look into any claims of fraud or theft by looking over the books of the business and speaking with employees. By unraveling transactions and paper traces, even the most sophisticated fraud can be found with enough time and inquiry.
Step 2-Reporting: Forensic accountants will create a document that includes clear identification, collection, and justification of fraud evidence.
The appropriate manager or business owner receives this report and a consultation to clarify the problem.
Step 3-Recovery and testimony: The third and last step in the forensic accounting process is to assist you with recovering lost cash. This may involve confronting the employee, arranging a repayment plan, or filing a criminal complaint. The forensic accountant will serve as an expert witness in a criminal indictment to provide testimony on your behalf.