Forensic Accountancy

There are times businesses unfortunately experience misappropriation of funds or fraudulent activity.

We are very experienced in discreet and confidential investigations, having successfully dealt with cases in both the private and public domain.

Most cases are dealt with and resolved internally without having to be resolved through UK courts. With our proven experience, we are able to prepare expert witness statements and present them to courts as appropriate.

The founder of Bagborough Accountancy, Michael also has over 10 years’ specialist skills and experience in forensic accountancy, having been involved the investigation of over 20 cases, both in the private and public sectors.

Financial misappropriations and fraud is now one the fastest growing crimes in the UK and has reached a level of over £1billion per annum.

We have the skills and experience to help you through these distressing times and to find resolutions and recompense, with the minimum of disruption to you and your business.

Michael has gained considerable experience as a Forensic Accountant through in- depth investigations in both the private and public sectors.

As a Forensic Accountant with over 10 years’ experience working for the Metropolitan Police,SC&O7 (Specialist and Economic Crime Command), New Scotland Yard as a Special Constable - Forensic Accountant. (2005 to 2015), his service with the Metropolitan Police amounted to over 2,000 hours of work. Michael was appointed as the Forensic Accountant for over 20 criminal investigations for the Metropolitan Police, with assignments ranging from 3 to 15 months.  

He then spent 6 months as a Forensic Accountant working on a contract basis, for the SFO, in the Bribery & Corruption division investigating a FTSE 100 global Plc.  

He enjoys the challenges and variety of forensic accounting, and apply an analytical and interpretive approach, summarising and communicating clearly.

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Forensic Accounting experience and skills include:

• Confidentiality
• Discretion
• Seeking, substantiating and interpreting evidence
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Thoroughness and attention to detail, whilst maintaining the bigger picture view
• Reporting and communicating effectively within the organisation as well as externally
• Planning with Financial Investigation Units approaches to financial investigations
• Analysing, interpreting and summarising complex bank accounts structures for businesses and individuals.  Tracing flows of cash between accounts, analysing trends and investigating exceptional payments and receipts, particularly for Money Laundering cases
• Reviewing and analysing business and company accounts and preparing summary reports
• Presenting summaries in ‘Jury Friendly’ clear graphical and clear tabular formats with key summary points
• Preparing Concealed Income Analyses
• Preparing Summaries of Benefits from Criminal activities
• Experience of using Altia programme optically reading bank statements and converting into Excel spread sheets
• Conducting Interviews of suspects with investigating officers under PACE
• Writing financial witness statements for presentation to court
• Preparing reports in responses to the defending Accountant’s reports
• Presenting evidence for the County Courts leading to a confiscation order under POCA and conviction
• Giving evidence at Magistrate Courts, leading to a confiscation order under POCA and conviction
• Involved with the search of premises and the identification and review of accounting records
• Involved with Inter Agency meetings, presenting the understanding of basic company accounts  
• Practical knowledge of relevant criminal law and procedures

Commendations and Awards

• 2007: Metropolitan Police - Haringey Borough Commander’s Commendation for interpretation and presentation of financial evidence, leading to the conviction of a drug dealer for Money Laundering.
• 2011: Metropolitan Police - Chief Officer’s Commendation for performing police duties in an exemplary manner and significantly contributing to the promotion of the specialist skills and resources of the MSC (Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary).
• 2014: Metropolitan Police - Long Service Award, presented by Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe

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Private Business investigations and Civil proceedings:

Michael was appointed as an Investigative Forensic Accountant, investigating a fraud carried out by the MD a fraud carried out by the MD of a business involving misappropriated funds over £ 1m.

This led to civil proceeding for the recovery of assets. He was contracted for 9 months and subsequently headed the financial restructuring and establishing of the financial internal controls of the new business.

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Internal Investigations:

As Financial Director, Michael has been involved in carrying out a number of internal investigations and recovery of assets.

In each case looking for proactive preventative solutions to safeguard the businesses against further future losses and disruptions and being responsible for development of new internal financial controls

Call us to see how we can help