Forensic Accounting Services Los Angeles

See why we’re the first call when financial institutions need to tackle high-stakes risk, performance issues, restructuring challenges and growth opportunities. Rely on Baker Tilly to provide accurate and reliable analysis of claims value made under commercial property, liability and financial lines insurance policies. We have cultivated an accomplished and talented workforce and continually invest in training and development for our team to ensure our clients receive industry-leading service. Our professionals possess the certifications and real-world expertise that provide the ability to examine each assignment from a unique perspective. When critical situations arise, organizations count on Baker Tilly to deliver accurate and reliable financial analysis to help forge a path forward.

Forensic Accounting and Investigations

For over 30 years, we have provided clients with high-level forensic accounting services. Our clients include top law firms, public corporations, and private companies, seeking forensic accounting services on a variety of litigation issues for both plaintiffs and defendants. Forensic accountants are specialists who combine accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to examine and analyze financial records and transactions, often for use in legal proceedings. They are typically involved in cases of financial fraud, disputes, or other irregularities, providing evidence that may be used in court, helping recover assets, and implementing stronger internal controls and practices to prevent future issues. Kara Stearns Sharp co-leads Kaufman Rossin’s forensic, advisory and valuation services practice, where she brings clients more than 25 years of experience in the accounting industry.

Why did you become a forensic accountant? What initially interested you about the field?

It is therefore inevitable that globalisation will create a large number of international disputes. There is no clearer example than through the huge growth of international arbitration over the past 10 years. Here you may often see differences play out between languages, laws, cultures, accounting rules and overlaid with large and volatile commodity price fluctuation. A practical perfect storm, and forensic accountants have played a large part in both investigating and quantifying the impacts.

Services

Being well-rounded and having a solid understanding of accounting concepts is paramount to a forensic accounting career. As we are often “translating” financial evidence for presentation to the courts, it is important for forensic accountants to demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills and simplify the information being set forth. The forensic accounting field welcomes professionals from many pathways, but most accountants hold bachelor’s degrees in accounting, forensic accounting, or other related fields. Advanced degrees, certifications, and professional experience can improve your How Bookkeeping for Law Firms Strengthens Their Finances employment opportunities. Forensic accountant fraud investigators perform in-depth analysis into internal and external financial crimes affecting organizations.

• You can also find training classes and certifications that will build your knowledge and expertise.
• Our clients are companies, boards of directors, creditors, investors and other parties that are potentially impacted by the transactions or issues involved.
• When asked how she defined compliance advisory services, Jan Haugo defines it as bookkeeping, and includes it as part of the other services she offers.
• In addition, the lead attorney may request a forensic accountant for pre-litigation consulting work.
• As such, we cannot control the quality or accuracy of the translated content and certain translated words or phrases can have a different meaning to the intended translation.

It typically takes 4-6 years to become a forensic accountant, including about four years for a bachelor’s degree and two years of gaining experience and completing relevant certifications. What you make as a forensic accountant depends on your education, experience, and location. According to Payscale, the average forensic accountant’s salary was $81,340 in September 2025, which is nearly $20,000 higher than the average annual salary for accountants.

We meld our unique trial and white-collar experience with our accounting and financial background to provide comprehensive representation. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in forensic accounting, accounting, finance or a related field is required for forensic accountants. Many companies encourage obtaining the CFE credential and/or the license for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant (CA).

Best practices and advice from the experts

They also investigate national security threats by tracing the sources of financial support for criminal or terrorist groups. By understanding our clients’ objectives and circumstances, our specialists are able to quantify the impact and potential losses incurred, and design and implement internal accounting and management controls for loss prevention and risk management. Your clients are seeking top quality, efficient strategies to manage increasing litigation.