How we can help with your
Forensic Accounting requirements

Identifying the most suitable Forensic Accountant for each case

The IDR network has a wide range of providers in this area, ensuring we can match the most suitable provider to you and your client. We can assist with simple tasks such as checking the legitimacy of bank statements to more substantive tasks such as business structures and cryptocurrency accounts.

Service provision

Below is an example of some of the more specialist services our professional forensic accountants can provide:

Shareholder Disputes:

Disputes arise where minority shareholders consider they are being unfairly treated in respect of the management of the company and/or the dividends paid out by the company.

IDR can advise on the particular circumstances giving rise to the unfair prejudice of individual shareholders. It is important this is sought at an early stage so that the proper perspective can be brought to a case. Sometimes actions which appear to be unfair can be perfectly reasonable when viewed from a different angle.

The Companies Act 2006 includes specific provisions to deal with such situations although litigation can be a difficult matter. We have previously advised both the company and the minority shareholders in such cases typically reviewing the issues which give rise to the “unfair prejudice” and assessing the valuation of minority interests.

Overseas Jurisdictions:

• Ascertain the value of assets held within those overseas jurisdictions
• Methodology will vary depending on type of asset e.g. holiday home/investment in commercial property/bank accounts/ shareholdings/other assets
• Understand and unravel offshore company structures to identify ultimate beneficial ownership
• Overseas valuation experts resident in those specific jurisdictions may be required on occasions

 Cryptocurrencies:

• Ascertain if the spouse owned cryptocurrency
• Determine if they bought and sold on an exchange or received cryptocurrency for goods & services
• Establish how they transacted in cryptocurrency
• Investigate whether they used cryptocurrency within their business
• Find out if the client can access the spouse’s records e.g. computers/phones/electronic devices
• Gather information from other financial records to ascertain any evidence of cryptocurrency ownership

Trusts:

• Engage with the trustees to establish who the beneficiaries of the trust are
• If the beneficiary is identified, then establish what assets are held in the trust, their value and the beneficiary’s entitlement
• For offshore trusts, establish if co-operation can be secured within the overseas jurisdiction to information gather

SPVs & Complex Business Structures:

• Establish shareholding/ equity interest in SPVs and valuation from the assets and liabilities held within it
• Investigate the existence of potential shadow directorships
• Understand shareholding values and value of debts potentially owed by the company to the individual

Property & Real Estate:

• Utilise HM Land Registry data to test valuations on UK property
• Examination of potential capital gains tax liabilities for parties that have left the marital home
• Calculating HMRC capital gains tax liability where appropriate on other property and real estate to be disposed of in settlement