Forensic Accounting

Forensic Accounting, Financial Investigation, and Expert Witness Services
Annette Hamilton, Forensic Accountant and Enrolled Agent
Compass Accounting & Business Solutions

Financial disputes and complex business matters require structured analysis, documentation integrity, and experienced financial judgment. Forensic accounting involves examining financial records to determine accuracy, trace funds, evaluate reporting reliability, and present findings in a clear and supportable manner.

With decades of corporate finance and investigative experience, Annette Hamilton provides forensic accounting services and expert witness support in matters involving divorce, business disputes, fiduciary concerns, and regulatory review.

Expert Witness Services

Annette Hamilton serves as an expert witness in matters requiring financial analysis, accounting reconstruction, and evaluation of reporting integrity.

Services may include:

• Preparation of written expert reports
• Financial schedules and supporting exhibits
• Rebuttal analysis
• Assistance to legal counsel in understanding complex financial data
• Courtroom testimony, when required

Engagement scope is defined in writing and structured according to the needs of the matter.

Divorces Involving Businesses

When a closely held business is involved in a marital dissolution, financial complexity increases significantly. Determining accurate income, source of funds, and financial position requires disciplined review of both the Profit and Loss statement and the Balance Sheet.

Services may include:

• Analysis of business income and cash flow
• Review of shareholder distributions and retained earnings
• Asset tracing and source of funds analysis
• Identification of personal expenses paid through the business
• Reconstruction of incomplete or inaccurate accounting records
• Financial normalization for valuation purposes
• Preparation of detailed schedules for mediation or court proceedings
• Support for legal counsel in understanding complex financial records

Financial Reporting Reliability and Forensic Review

In certain matters, the central issue is not valuation, but whether the underlying financial records can be relied upon.

We perform structured forensic reviews of accounting systems and financial reporting where questions arise regarding accuracy, completeness, or integrity of the books and records.

Engagements may include:

• Detailed review of accounting system data, general ledger activity, and supporting financial documentation
• Evaluation of internal consistency between financial statements, bank records, and tax filings
• Identification of unsupported asset and liability balances
• Analysis of equity accounts, retained earnings, and distributions
• Review of reconciliation failures or systemic reporting deficiencies
• Preparation of comprehensive written forensic reports with supporting schedules and exhibits

In recent engagements, our work has included preparation of extensive forensic reports documenting systemic accounting deficiencies and outlining why reported financial statements were not reliable for litigation, negotiation, or valuation purposes.

Where financial statements lack adequate support or reconciliation, conclusions regarding income, equity, or business value may be materially distorted. Our work focuses on objective financial analysis and documentation integrity.

Asset Tracing and Financial Investigations

Tracing funds through complex financial records requires careful examination of accounting data, bank statements, transfers, and related documentation.

We provide:

• Asset tracing and transaction flow analysis
• Identification of misappropriation or financial waste
• Review of irregular financial activity
• Source and use of funds analysis
• Reconstruction of financial activity across multiple years

Trust and Fiduciary Accounting Review

Trust and fiduciary matters require precise accounting and documentation. We review financial activity to determine whether reporting aligns with fiduciary obligations and governing documents.

Regulatory and Government Audit Support

We provide financial analysis and documentation support in matters involving:

• Tax audits
• Labor and Industries audits
• Washington State unemployment audits
• HOA financial review

Engagement Scope

Forensic and expert witness engagements are structured and defined in writing based on the specific financial questions at issue. Work may include transaction tracing, balance sheet analysis, financial reconstruction, preparation of written reports, and testimony where required.

Our approach emphasizes objectivity, defensible methodology, and analytical integrity.