Property Forensic Investigations
Forensic accounting for disputes involving residential, commercial and development property, led by a Member of the Australian Property Institute and Licensed Real Estate Agent.
Where Property and Money Meet
Property is often the largest asset in a dispute, and one of the hardest money trails to follow. Deposits come from one account, loans are refinanced through another, rents are paid to a third, and ownership may sit with a company, trust or family member.
AuditTrace combines forensic accounting with practical property expertise. Steven P. Rider CA CPA is a Member of the Australian Property Institute and a Licensed Real Estate Agent (LREA), and has decades of experience advising property investors, and AuditTrace sits within the Tenfold Wealth Group alongside Tenfold Property Finance and Tenfold Property Advisory. We understand how property is bought, financed, held and taxed, which is exactly what you need when the facts are disputed.
Our property investigations support family law property settlements, commercial and joint venture disputes and asset tracing matters.
Our Property Forensic Services
Ownership and Funding Tracing
Tracing deposits, loan drawdowns, repayments and sale proceeds to establish who funded a property and how.
Contributions Analysis
Quantifying each party’s financial contributions to acquisition, improvements and mortgage repayments.
Rental Income Review
Analysing rental income, outgoings and depreciation, including undisclosed income from investment properties and short-term rentals.
Development and Joint Venture Disputes
Examining feasibilities, cost allocations and profit distributions in property developments and joint ventures.
Related-Party Transfers
Investigating transfers of property to family members, companies or trusts, including transactions at undervalue.
Capital Gains Tax Analysis
Assessing the CGT consequences of property sales or transfers that affect the net value available to the parties.
Property Valuation Analysis
Reviewing property values and the assumptions behind them, drawing on market experience as a Licensed Real Estate Agent.
Property Expert Reports
Independent reports on property-related financial issues, prepared in accordance with APES 215.
How We Investigate Property Matters
Map the Property History
We build a timeline of each property’s acquisition, financing, improvements, income and any transfers or sales.
Gather the Records
We collect contracts, settlement statements, loan statements, title searches, leases and tax records.
Trace and Quantify
We trace the funds, quantify contributions, income and tax effects, and identify inconsistencies.
Report the Findings
We present clear findings with schedules and timelines suitable for negotiation or court.
Property Matters We Assist With
- Family law settlements involving investment property portfolios
- Disputes over contributions to jointly owned property
- Property development and joint venture disputes
- Estate disputes involving real property
- Undisclosed rental or short-term rental income
- Property transferred to related entities around separation
Why AuditTrace for Property Matters
- Property expertise: Member of the Australian Property Institute and Licensed Real Estate Agent (LREA)
- Property accounting background: years of advising property investors on structures, finance and tax
- Tax insight: Registered Tax Practitioner, so CGT and depreciation are properly considered
- Group depth: part of the Tenfold Wealth Group, with property finance and property advisory expertise
- Forensic experience: investigations conducted since 1999
- Independent: all work performed in accordance with APES 215
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a forensic accountant trace contributions to a property?
Yes. By tracing deposits, loan drawdowns, repayments and the funds used for improvements, we can quantify each party’s financial contributions to a property over time.
Can you identify undisclosed rental income?
Yes. We compare rental records, bank deposits, booking platform information and tax returns to identify income that has not been disclosed.
Can you investigate property transferred to a family trust or company?
Yes. We examine how and when the property was transferred, what consideration was paid, and how the transfer affects the assets available.
How are capital gains tax consequences considered?
We assess the likely CGT and other tax consequences of selling or transferring property, so the net value available to the parties is clear.
What documents do you need?
Typically contracts of sale, settlement statements, loan statements, title searches, leases, rental statements, tax returns and depreciation schedules.
Do you work on property matters outside New South Wales?
Yes. We work Australia-wide, with offices in Sydney and Brisbane and secure digital document handling.
Discuss a Property Matter
Tell us about the properties involved and what is in dispute. We will confirm how we can help and outline a proposed scope.