Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigations

VERTEX provides valuable expertise in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, and financial litigation support services.

VERTEX professionals apply their technical accounting and forensic expertise to assist our clients in internal investigations, white-collar defense, and litigation matters. Our professionals include Certified Public Accountants, Certified Fraud Examiners, former auditors, financial analysts, and other specialists skilled in forensic fact-finding and analysis. Some of our professionals have SEC and DOJ criminal and civil enforcement experience. We are trusted by clients for our expertise, wealth of technical and industry knowledge, and our ability to understand, analyze, and communicate complex information regarding accounting and financial issues.

Our Professionals:

VERTEX consultants hold a wide variety of professional certifications that allow us to assess forensic accounting and fraud issues. These professional certifications include the following:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)
Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF)

Our Expertise in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Investigations

VERTEX forensic accounting professionals have extensive experience in a variety of areas including the following:

• Internal Investigations
• Whistleblower Allegations
• Money Laundering
• Funds Tracing
• Financial Statement Fraud Analysis
• Restatement and Reconstruction of Books and Records
• SEC and DOJ Enforcement Defense Support
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption (FCPA) Investigations
• Veil Piercing
• Independent Monitor Support
• Embezzlement and Asset Misappropriation Investigations
• Audit Malpractice
• Profit Disgorgement and Ability to Pay Analysis
• eDiscovery and Data Analytics
• Internal Controls Assessment and Remediation
• Witness Testimony Preparation
• Accounting and Financial Reporting Research
• Evaluation of Insider Transactions
• Compliance and Policies Analysis

Representative Forensic Accounting & Fraud Investigation Experience

VERTEX professionals bring decades of experience working with law firms, companies, and government agencies. Select engagement examples include:

• Retained by the developer of a hotel to perform a forensic accounting and funds tracing analysis of several bank and credit card accounts related to allegations of embezzlement by the construction manager during construction. The team analyzed over 2,500 financial transactions. We issued two expert reports and testified at a federal jury trial where our client was awarded approximately $26 million by the jury.
• Retained by counsel to conduct an internal investigation on behalf of the audit committee of a publicly traded government contractor. Our analysis discovered that the Chief Executive Officer used millions of dollars of company funds for personal use. Our findings were provided to the SEC and U.S. Attorney’s office.
• Retained by the owner of an electric vehicle charging station company in California who received a grant to install charging stations throughout the state. Our team analyzed hundreds of pages of invoices submitted by the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractor and its subcontractors to determine the reasonableness of the invoiced items and amounts. During our analysis, we identified instances of improper billings for equipment, labor, and general conditions.
• On behalf of the DOJ, assisted counsel in a False Claims Act case brought against a large publicly traded defense contractor involving valuation and treatment of stock options. Assisted counsel in understanding DCAA’s findings, identifying discovery needs, and assessing the litigation risks and potential damages in the matter.
• Retained by counsel for a national bank to trace funds between several accounts held by owners of a suspected shell company suspected of fraudulent transfers. Analyzed bank statements and QuickBooks reports. Evaluated the solvency of the company at various points in time. Issued an expert report and testified at deposition.
• Worked with counsel on an internal investigation of potential improper payments by a publicly traded electric utility company. The investigation required the review of several terabytes of accounting data covering a four-year period and was performed within a 60-day time frame to meet SEC filing deadlines.
• Retained by counsel on behalf of a nonprofit entity responsible for developing a continued care residence in Florida. The dispute related to project funds being depleted twice during construction. We analyzed financial records including bond fund statements, accounting reports, and draw requests to identify issues with the project accounting.
• Assisted counsel on a corporate fraud investigation in Puerto Rico involving high level executives of one of the largest beer companies in the U.S. Among the allegations were misappropriation of funds, false representations, and inappropriate cash disbursements. Our team researched supporting documentation related to cash disbursements and payments made, interviewed corporate executives, and prepared final reports with findings on fraudulent activity. Based on the team’s findings, defendants repaid $1.5 million and ultimately served prison time.
• Performed an assessment of the appropriateness and magnitude of recorded contingent liabilities such as loan loss reserves, environmental remediation reserves and product warranties.
• Assisted management of a Korea-based technology company in connection with an SEC investigation of various accounting and disclosure issues. Shared results of the analysis with the SEC and the investigation was closed.
• Assisted outside counsel in an FCPA investigation initiated by whistleblower allegations involving the Latin American subsidiaries of a global pharmaceuticals manufacturer. The work involved interviews of company personnel, and securing and reviewing electronic data from the subsidiary in Mexico and Chile.
• Assisted a global money services business with an ability-to-pay analysis as part of a deferred prosecution agreement, which resulted in reduced payments by the company.
• Developed a corporate compliance function while serving as the interim Chief Compliance Officer of a global manufacturing company facing a DOJ FCPA investigation. The work included developing corporate compliance policies and conducting training on compliance and FCPA issues to over 400 employees in more than eight countries including China, India, Korea, and Japan.
• Assisted counsel in a board investigation related to a multi-year financial restatement of a Middle East based oil and gas company. Our work required site visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
• Assisted the Independent Monitor in the review and assessment of the compliance function of a global high-tech manufacturing company as part of an FCPA deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ and the SEC.
• Led a forensic investigation with outside legal counsel for an international contractor related to a construction project on a highway in North Carolina. Our team conducted an investigation into the financial practices of the contractor and identify potential issues related to the contractor’s contract with a state agency. The work included reviewing subcontractor payments, review of internal company emails, and other analytical work to support the investigation. The results of the investigation were reported to the Board of Directors and to the state agency.
• Conducted a forensic accounting investigation in connection with a $1.2 million employee embezzlement scheme. Our services included in-depth review of bank statements, wire detail, accounting data, and open-source research. The team conducted interviews with witnesses and prepared a substantial investigative report that was utilized by the company’s board of directors, outside counsel, and produced to federal law enforcement.