Forensic accounting
Forensic Accounting.
Independent, evidence-led examination of financial records, where an explanation has to withstand scrutiny — in a dispute, an investigation, or a decision someone will later be asked to justify. This work is carried out by our sister practice, CRG Forensics, which provides a nationwide forensic accounting and expert witness service to solicitors, businesses and individuals across both the civil and criminal arenas.
Two practices, one group
CRG Insolvency and CRG Forensics are sister practices under common ownership. Insolvency work and forensic work overlap constantly — an office holder needs transactions examined, a solicitor needs a quantum figure that will survive cross-examination, a lender needs to understand where money actually went — so it is useful to have both under one roof. Where a matter needs one or the other, or both, we can arrange it without you having to find and brief a second firm.
What CRG Forensics does
A wide range of forensic accounting and investigation services, across six main areas of work.
- Commercial disputes — contractual, fiduciary and related obligations, usually involving complex business issues
- Business valuations — commonly in shareholder and partnership disputes, and in divorce proceedings
- Personal injury and clinical negligence — including business interruption claims
- Criminal work — robust reports across a broad spectrum of criminal cases, including legal aid work
- Insolvency offences — where a report can help the parties reach an agreed position
- Proceeds of Crime Act work — confiscation and related matters
Instructed by solicitors, on any basis
Instructions come from firms ranging from sole practitioners to top-ten firms. CRG Forensics accepts instructions on behalf of one party, on a single joint expert basis, and as a shadow expert reviewing another expert’s work. The service covers attendance at conference, responses to Part 35 questions, preparation of the report, and attendance at trial — so the instruction does not stop at the document.
Forensic accounting reports written to be used
A forensic accountant’s report is only useful if the person reading it can follow it. The work is to establish what the records actually show, distinguish that clearly from what is inferred, and set the findings out in language a court, a board or a lender can follow without an accountancy background. Reports are well researched and identify the relevant facts — including the ones that do not help the instructing party, because those are the ones opposing counsel will find.
Where this sits alongside insolvency work
For office holders and lenders in particular, the two practices work together regularly: tracing funds and asset movements, antecedent transaction reviews, quantifying a loss for a claim or a negotiation, and examining the conduct behind a failure. If you are already dealing with us on an insolvency matter and need forensic input, it is one conversation rather than two.
Where to go next
For a forensic instruction, CRG Forensics is the practice you want, and its own site sets out the service areas, case types and contact details in full. Offices in Grimsby and Borehamwood, with a nationwide service. If you are not sure which practice you need, call either number — we will point you the right way rather than take an instruction that belongs elsewhere.
Tell us the question you need answered and the deadline you are working to. Scope, approach and fee basis are confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Our forensic practice
CRG Forensics — our specialist forensic practice
CRG Forensics is headed by Norman Cowan and takes instructions from solicitors ranging from sole practitioners to top-ten firms, on behalf of one party, on a single joint expert basis, or as a shadow expert. Offices in Grimsby and Borehamwood, serving clients nationwide. The full range of services, case types and contact details are on the CRG Forensics website.
Opens crgforensics.co.uk in a new tab. Telephone 01472 250 001, or 07785 931 944.
Questions
Questions we are asked most
Is CRG Forensics the same firm as CRG Insolvency?
They are sister practices under common ownership rather than the same firm. CRG Insolvency handles corporate and personal insolvency and receivership work; CRG Forensics handles forensic accounting and expert witness work. In practice the two overlap often enough that having both available matters — but a forensic instruction is given to CRG Forensics.
Who leads the forensic practice?
CRG Forensics is headed by Norman Cowan. Its instructions come from solicitors ranging from sole practitioners to top-ten firms, across civil and criminal work.
What kinds of case do you take?
Commercial disputes, business valuations, personal injury and clinical negligence, criminal work, insolvency offences, and Proceeds of Crime Act matters — including confiscation. That covers shareholder and partnership disputes, divorce valuations, business interruption claims, fraud and misfeasance, tax matters and money laundering among others.
Can you act as a single joint expert?
Yes. Instructions are accepted on behalf of one party, on a single joint expert basis, and as a shadow expert reviewing another expert’s report. Which is appropriate depends on the case and on what the parties or the court have agreed.
Does the instruction include attending trial?
Yes — the service covers attendance at conference, responses to questions on the report, preparation of the report itself, and attendance at trial. A report that nobody can speak to is of limited use, so giving evidence is part of the work rather than an extra.
Do you cover the whole country?
Yes. CRG Forensics provides a nationwide service, with offices in Grimsby and Borehamwood.
How do we instruct you, and how are fees agreed?
Tell us the question you need answered and the deadline you are working to. Scope, approach and the fee basis are confirmed in writing before any work starts. Where the matter is legally aided, criminal legal aid work is undertaken.
We are an office holder — can you assist on an insolvency matter?
Yes, and this is common. Tracing funds and asset movements, antecedent transaction reviews, quantifying claims and examining the conduct behind a failure are all regular instructions. If you are already dealing with CRG Insolvency, the forensic side can be brought in without a separate briefing exercise.
Related
Enforcement and realisation of secured property.
Where a forensic review sits alongside an insolvency.
Next step
You do not need to know which procedure applies before you call.
The initial conversation is confidential, free of charge, and commits you to nothing.