In the majority of legal proceedings, money and finances play a prominent role. 

Even in cases in which the primary objective is to confront a wrongdoer or put an end to a harmful action, most lawsuits will involve some type of monetary compensation. 

When they do, having an experienced CPA on your side is paramount to the successful outcome of your case. 

 

What services can a CPA provide?

Whether you specialize in family law, corporate law, property law, or another field of practice here in the Austin area, the two most common reasons you would seek the help of an experienced CPA are for litigation consulting and to provide expert witness services. 

Litigation consulting

Litigation consulting comprises a broad range of services. They include:

  • Researching and analyzing financial data
  • Calculating lost earnings and other damages
  • Calculating damages from fraud or embezzlement
  • Identifying and determining the value of assets
  • Property tax appeals
  • Tax court proceedings
  • Bankruptcy proceedings
  • Benefit calculations 
  • Preparing documents for discovery
  • Assisting with depositions
  • Negotiating legal settlements

Utilizing their expertise in financial analysis, taxation, and auditing, CPAs are often able to uncover hidden or missing information and provide valuable insight to help you build a stronger case. In many cases, working with a CPA in the early stages can lead to a pretrial settlement. This saves both sides the often significant costs associated with going to trial. 

Expert witness services

A CPA may also provide expert witness services when needed; this is especially important in cases involving complex financial issues or when you are trying to determine the validity of a claim for damages. 

Forensic accounting is essential to identifying irregularities that may indicate financial misconduct or fraud. Working with a credentialed professional adds credibility to your case and ensures the findings are presented in a way that all parties can easily understand. 

 

When should you call a CPA for litigation support?

For any case in which economic damages are involved, adding a certified professional accountant to your litigation team is a smart move—and one that benefits you and your clients. 

Whether by helping to calculate lost profits in large commercial insurance cases or working to identify and allocate assets in divorce proceedings, a qualified CPA saves you both time and resources by analyzing key financial data and providing accurate and impartial findings that can positively impact the outcome of your case. 

The following types of cases often benefit from the help of a forensic accountant: 

  • Breach of contract
  • Criminal investigations
  • Employee theft (embezzlement)
  • Intellectual property disputes
  • Trust and estate disputes
  • Fraud
  • Marital dissolution
  • Personal injury
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Wrongful death

The sooner you make the call, the better. 

Without the right support, it can be all too easy to get bogged down in the financial details of a case. Working with a qualified CPA as early as possible can help you overcome potential roadblocks and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome for your clients. 

As your litigation consulting partner, Mangold Anker Phillips has the expertise needed to thoroughly analyze all financial documents and evaluate complex calculations to uncover any hidden facts or missing information. 

With decades of financial investigative experience combined with key forensic accounting credentials (both CFF and CFE), our litigation consulting experience encompasses a wide range of issues and industries. 

 

Call (512) 327-0909 for a free 30-minute consultation or email us at info@map-cpas.com to learn more about how we can help with your case.