Detecting Fraud in Small Businesses

(This is the third of four posts on this topic) By Associate Kimberly Creasey As discussed in part 2 of this article series, tips are the most common way in which fraud is detected. However, additional measures must be taken because it is not sensible to rely on employees or outside individuals to be the … Read more

Preventing Fraud in Small Businesses

(This is the second of three posts on this topic) By Associate Kimberly Creasey All organizations, even the very small, can implement measures to help prevent fraudulent activity from occurring. Here are several items to consider when trying to improve procedures: Implement Internal Controls Many small businesses do not have a comprehensive structure of established … Read more

The Pervasiveness of Fraud in Today’s Business World

(This is one of three posts on this topic) By Associate Kimberly Creasey Each year the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) conducts a global study on occupational fraud and abuse to gain a better understanding of the types of fraud schemes most commonly occurring, how fraud is detected, what types of organizations are victims … Read more

Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) credential by the AICPA

Thanks to the CSI television series, most people have become familiar with the term “forensics” and know that it involves legal situations.  In the financial world, CPA’s may earn the CFF designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the ultimate governing body of accountancy in the United States.   Forensic accounting is a specialization that … Read more

Divorce Fraud and One Million-Dollars of Shoes

Oops!  I Forgot My Shoes! In 2012 a husband sued his wife saying she never mentioned her stockpile of 1,200 pairs of designer shoes in their divorce proceedings. He sued his poker-pro ex-wife for her shoe collection worth about $1 million, which he claims she never told him about when they divorced three years ago. He claims that … Read more

Kardashian-Humphries Divorce Legalities

  Unless you have been living in a cave for the last year, you have seen the Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries marriage and divorce plastered all over the internet.  Kim is a high profile reality show figure and Kris is a professional basketball player.  In what appears to be a publicity stunt by Kim, but unknown … Read more

Fraud – A Nasty Introduction

  Fraud has been around since Adam and Eve.  It pokes its nasty head into almost everything we do including marriage, probate, and other family matters.  Fraud is evil, based upon greed, and will destroy marriages and lives.  Don’t be fooled, fraud touches all of us, everyday, in one form or another. A common definition … Read more

Trusts Complicate Divorces

Retirement Planning and Trusts   Trusts are commonly used by individuals in estate planning, yet they create very uncommon problems in divorce.  Trusts can be extremely complicated and each one will have variations depending upon the family or individual who created them.  It’s important to consider Trusts and how they affect your separate and community property before, … Read more

Marital Dissolution

Matrimonial Actions, Marital Dissolution, Divorce, whatever we call it, the process is not fun and emotions usually run hot.  As a result, divorce litigation can become very sticky and often revolves around money and asset valuations.  Forensic Accountants are becoming more prevalent in these types of cases where large dollars are involved.  They have the … Read more