Fraud Investigation

Fraud Investigation

“You have integrity. You care. You are organized, thorough and detailed, and calm.”
- Investigation Client

Fraud can be defined as wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Categories of fraud include misrepresentation or concealment of material facts, theft, conflicts of interest and breach of fiduciary duty. Federal legislation includes the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the False Claims Act.

Fraud is law-intensive and investigations of alleged fraud almost always require legal counsel. Aguilera & Associates has worked with attorneys on a wide variety of fraud investigations for over three decades.

The Challenges of Fraud Investigations

When fraud is suspected, it is important to get information and financial estimates and organizations routinely rely on the expertise of Forensic Accountants. There are a myriad of issues around the unexpected business problems that have to be addressed quickly. Initially, is an investigation even necessary or possible? 

Knowing if there is evidence available to evaluate is important.  If evidence is available, the common questions are, where is it and how hard is it going to be to accumulate it?

Aguilera & Associates routinely goes through this challenging process with its clients. After evaluating these challenges, we help the organization make strategic decisions about the scope and approach to an investigation.


The Key Issues for Fraud Investigations

Investigations can face the following challenges:

  • The need for the investigation to be conducted objectively, expediently and thoroughly in a confidential manner that is respectful to all involved and done professionally.

  • Interviews of key individuals that will require a great deal of sensitivity.

  • Results needing to be communicated to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.

  • Complete knowledge of the financial impacts (or at least the range) needed for good decision making under pressure.
     

Why Aguilera & Associates for Fraud Investigations

Aguilera & Associates has extensive experience working with Board Committees, Counsel, CEOs and CFOs on issues that are extremely sensitive and carry potentially significant consequences for the organization. Aguilera & Associates is frequently called upon for help because of its:

  • Unique qualifications in situations where there are many potential risks to the organization.

  • Ability to make good decisions under pressure, usually without enough information to make a perfect decision.

  • Capacity to get to the facts quickly and efficiently.