Over the years, I have received calls from attorneys asking me to be an expert witness on a particular case. After we discuss the issues at hand, if appropriate to the subject matter, I always ask if they have hired a forensic accountant to analyze the transactions relating to the case. I get one of several responses beyond yes:
- “My assistant is good with Excel and is preparing one.”
This is often a trap for the attorney and the case. I have been in these situations before and have found that the attorney-prepared accounting reports frequently lack necessary detail, schedules, accuracy and completeness that makes them unusable in a FINRA hearing. Read more »