Forensic Accounting for Law Firms
Independent forensic accounting, expert witness reports and litigation support for Australian solicitors and barristers.
Specialist Forensic Accountants Supporting Australian Law Firms
When a matter turns on financial evidence, your client’s position depends on how clearly that evidence is analysed and explained. AuditTrace Forensic Accountants works with law firms on commercial litigation, family law property matters, fraud investigations and estate disputes, providing independent financial analysis that stands up to scrutiny.
Led by a Chartered Accountant and CPA with more than 25 years in professional practice, we help legal teams interpret complex financial records, trace funds, quantify loss and present findings in a clear, structured format, whether at the early-advice stage, during discovery and negotiation, or in a formal expert report for court.
We also support matters involving commercial disputes and family law property settlements.
How We Support Law Firms
Expert Witness Reports
Independent expert reports prepared in accordance with APES 215 and the applicable expert evidence rules, including single and joint expert appointments.
Financial Record Analysis
Detailed review of financial statements, general ledgers, bank records and supporting documents to identify relevant information and inconsistencies.
Asset Tracing and Fund Flow Analysis
Tracing the movement of funds across accounts and entities to clarify financial arrangements, including in support of freezing (Mareva) orders.
Loss and Damages Quantification
Quantifying economic loss, loss of profits and damages arising from contractual, commercial and professional negligence claims.
Review of Opposing Expert Reports
Critical analysis of the other side’s expert accounting evidence to identify errors, unsupported assumptions and alternative conclusions.
Subpoena and Discovery Analysis
Reviewing subpoenaed and discovered financial material, identifying gaps and helping frame targeted requests for further documents.
Fraud and Misappropriation Investigation
Investigating suspected fraud, embezzlement and misappropriation, and quantifying the amounts involved for recovery or prosecution.
Early Case Assessment
Preliminary review of the financial issues to help you advise your client on merits, strategy and whether a formal expert report is needed.
Our Approach
Understand the Matter
We discuss the background, legal context, key financial questions, and available documentation.
Examine the Evidence
We review relevant financial records and transactions to identify material findings and areas requiring further analysis.
Analyse and Quantify
Where appropriate, we assess financial movements, losses, discrepancies, or other issues relevant to the matter.
Present the Findings
We communicate our findings in a clear, organised format suited to the agreed scope of work.
Matters We Assist Law Firms With
Our forensic accounting services are regularly relevant to:
- Commercial and contractual disputes
- Shareholder, partnership and joint venture disputes
- Family law property settlements involving businesses, trusts or hidden income
- Fraud, embezzlement and breach of fiduciary duty claims
- Estate and family provision disputes
- Professional negligence and loss of profits claims
- Insurance claims and loss assessments
- Asset tracing and freezing order applications
Why Law Firms Engage AuditTrace
- Qualified and experienced: Chartered Accountant and CPA-qualified principal with over 25 years in practice
- Independent: our duty is to the court, and our work complies with APES 215 Forensic Accounting Services
- Clear reporting: findings explained in plain language, with schedules and fund-flow charts where they help
- Responsive: we understand court timetables and work to your deadlines
- Defined scope: a written scope and fee estimate before work begins
- Australia-wide: secure video meetings and digital document handling for matters in any state
Read more about our evidentiary standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a law firm engage a forensic accountant?
As early as possible. Early involvement helps you identify the key financial issues, request the right documents through discovery or subpoena, and assess the merits before significant costs are incurred.
Can you act as an expert witness in court?
Yes. Where we are engaged as an expert, we prepare reports in accordance with APES 215 and the relevant expert evidence rules, such as the Federal Court Expert Evidence Practice Note and the expert witness codes of conduct, and can give oral evidence, including in joint expert conferences.
Do you act for plaintiffs or defendants?
Both. Our role is independent, and our overriding duty is to the court rather than to the party that engages us. We complete conflict checks before accepting any matter.
Can you be appointed as a single expert in family law matters?
Yes. We can act as a single expert witness or as an adversarial expert in family law property matters, subject to conflict checks and the requirements of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia rules.
What information do you need to get started?
A brief outline of the matter, the parties involved (for conflict checks), the questions you need answered and any key deadlines. We will then confirm scope, timing and fees in a letter of engagement.
Do you work with law firms outside Sydney?
Yes. We work with law firms across Australia using secure video meetings and digital document handling.
Discuss Your Matter with a Forensic Accountant
Tell us about the financial questions in your matter. We will confirm whether we can assist, complete conflict checks and outline a proposed scope, all in confidence.