The importance of Forensic Accounting has never been more dramatically evident than during the past couple of years. SES, Enron, and Tyco are just a few of the companies that have been hard hit by scandal. To avoid such scandal, shareholders/stakeholders turn to Forensic Accountants to determine whether their investment will fall prey. The CPA (who is certified as a Fraud Examiner), who conducts a Forensic Accounting investigation, does more than just audit books and records. The Forensic Examiner utilizes accounting skills, coupled with auditing and investigative skills, to examine and analyze books and records, inventory, and any other corporate assets. According to the Government's National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), employee theft is one of the most prevalent and costly problems facing business leaders and organizations today. Ghost employees, fake invoices, and conversion of corporate assets for personal use are just some of the techniques and methods used by those who want to defraud your organization. In order to defend yourself, you need to unleash the powers and skills of a Forensic Examiner.

Forensic Examiners possess special training, experience, and investigative skills to ferret out fraud, waste, and abuse. Forensic Accountants are continuously called upon to make assessments and determinations as to asset value and worth. Forensic Investigations involve looking beyond the numbers and bringing to light fraud and attempted cover-ups. Forensic Investigators are frequently called upon to testify in Court regarding their findings. The Whall Group makes it easy, beginning with a confidential consultation tailored to your specific forensic needs.

The recovery of electronic data involves a two-step process. The first phase is to properly acquire the needed electronically stored data. The Computer Forensic Expert must be educated and possess hands-on experience in properly extracting electronic data from whatever form of media encountered. In order to facilitate the discovery process, the Expert must be well versed in the various forms of media, types of data to examine, and possess the knowledge of how to find the evidence to assist with and expedite the discovery process. A well-versed Expert can curtail countless hours of discovery by separating the wheat from the chafe.

A qualified Computer Forensic Expert is trained to comply with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedures and evidence authentication procedures. Unlike other less volatile evidence, electronic data presents an entirely unique and complex matter that the Courts have dealt with in precedent setting cases. The Computer Forensic Expert must comply with various standards and protocols or face challenges as to authenticity. The training, background, and skill set of the Expert must be such that he/she can withstand the rigors of examination under oath. Trial expertise, computer analysis, and knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings are some of the traits an Expert must possess to serve your company's need for a Computer Forensic Expert. In addition, as is the case with most financial analysis, knowing what to look for, as well as where to look, is paramount to success.

Once the data is properly recovered from the media, analysis is the second phase in the recovery of electronic data. Knowing how to properly eliminate operating system files and other such extraneous files is critical in reducing the burden and time needed for examination. The capacity of a 12-gigabyte hard drive is equivalent to a ream of typing paper equaling the height of the Sears Tower in Chicago. Today an average hard drive is approximately 80-gigabytes in size. The shear volume is staggering and must be dealt with efficiently to maximize production, yet minimize investigative time. This success translates into dollars and cents saved.

The first two phases outlined above form two legs of the digital evidence triangle. Knowing what makes a good case is the third leg of the digital evidence triangle. Our highly trained Experts with more than 30 years of Federal Law Enforcement experience is just the start of what The Whall Group offers in experience and knowledge. The Courts, based upon the credentials of our Experts/Directors, as well as presentation of the facts, will evaluate the weight of the testimony. The Whall Group makes it easy, beginning with a confidential consultation tailored to your specific forensic needs. The vast level of experience and professionals on staff will work with key members of your litigation staff to strategize, implement, and report their findings.