What are the prerequisites for a person to be a expert witness in court? I was under the impression that it is usually a degree. In the case of a forensic accountant, would this be Chartered status? As we know chartered is above BA level. I know the role in itself is a minefield, so I'm not asking for how to do the job - just a query as such. Thanks
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
Hi Joanne. Indeed!! I have seen, on various business websites, various accountants offering their expertise. I have seen one or two AAT and CIMA members offering the service. Now, I don't know how far they can go, in terms of actually seeing out the entire process, as we imagine an experienced ACCA / ACA can. It is definitely an interesting area, especially when you factor in such like as the POCA.
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
Hi Johnny, I have a brochure from Mercia who are doing a course in London in May entitled @Getting Started in Forensic Accounting'. I can't find a link on their website to post but the sub headings on the brochure are:
Overview
Report Writing
The Expert and the Lawyer
Expert Evidence in the Spotlight
Hear from The Network of Independent Forensic Accountants (NIFA)
Share and Business Valuations
Widening Your Appeal
Johnny, not sure if you have seen the NIFA website, it mentions careers in Forensic Accounting which then points you to the ICAEW website or Sheffield Hallam Uni who do the Masters courses.
Hi Johnny, I have a brochure from Mercia who are doing a course in London in May entitled @Getting Started in Forensic Accounting'. I can't find a link on their website to post but the sub headings on the brochure are:
Overview Report Writing The Expert and the Lawyer Expert Evidence in the Spotlight Hear from The Network of Independent Forensic Accountants (NIFA) Share and Business Valuations Widening Your Appeal
There's a different speaker for each section.
£305 for the day!
Hi Rob,
That sounds to me as though they are going to be charging you £305 for a career sales pitch for those thinking of entering this field.
With ACCA Forensic accounting comes under advanced Audit (P7) and emphasis is very much upon the expert witness needs to be credible to the court (FCA or FCCA) and that evidence presented by the expert witness must be beyond reproach.
Even though Forensics comes under the remit of Audit I do not believe that the role of expert witness is defined in statute but one is entering an arena designed to challenge credibility of both the evidence and the person giving it.
I think that the court would be looking for witnesses of the level of those to the right hand side on your link Rob (I think that Mr Kelleway's short write up is a good example of what makes a witness credible to the court).
The above said, the expert witness needs a good team of investigators behind them... I'm asuming though that such teams are full of those who have done the MSc in Forensic accounting and who are working towards or have already achieved ACCA (including advanced Audit option) or ACA.
I do not think that this is an arena that people will find it easy to enter but I wish the best of luck to anyone who tries as.
And I agree, it does sound a very, very interesting area of the profession that I would love to be involved with (the investigations, not the presenting evidence in court).
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks guys. As a side note, CIMA offer 6 hours of forensic cpd for 600!!! I think it doesn't help when our profession isn't protected, in trying to find the answer to this. An expert medical witness, would obviously be experienced, and qualified. Same with a psychologist, engineer etc. I'm sure I remember reading, or watching, (could have been US relevant) whereby it was said that the late Steve Jobs would not have been able to be an expert witness as he held no degree in the subject. I know opinions differ on the guy, yet it is fair to say, he knew his stuff!! I'm sure learning to think like a forensic accountant would surely show it's own benefits in your own businesses. Thanks
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Johnny - Owner of an overly-active keyboard.
A man who can read, yet doesn't, is in no way wiser than a man who can't.
Forensic accounting is part of that syllabus but more importantly doing old paper P7 questions instills professional skepticism and dare I say cynicism which are important aspects of investigation (and posting on this site, lol).
You can pick up old Kaplan paper P7 study texts and question banks for pennies (plus £2.80 p&p). The forensic accounting part is quite small but if you read the text and do the questions you will end up seeing things that eluded yopu previously.
Spending under £10 on that book is a damn site cheaper than £600 CPD but it will take you a lot longer than six hours to work through it.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
professional skepticism and dare I say cynicism which are important aspects of investigation (and posting on this site, lol).
Oh I have that both in bucketloads, working in corporate finance does that to you. That and having an ex hubby who tried to hide cash and left paper trails like belisha beacons - now that was hilarious when I gave that evidence in court (shame that cant count towards expert testimony giving!)
Worth a look at the old question banks I reckon.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
