Fraud Investigation
A financial investigation begins with a concrete suspicion: payments made with no corresponding service, suppliers with no real operations, results that do not add up, or funds that never reach their intended destination.
Context in which the service applies
The work has to be conducted discreetly, with the origin of every document preserved and close attention paid to how the findings will ultimately be used — whether in internal measures, civil proceedings, criminal proceedings or reports to oversight bodies.
When this analysis is needed
- Internal reports concerning payments, purchases or reimbursements.
- Indications that officers or employees have diverted funds.
- Manipulation of financial statements or performance indicators.
- Undisclosed related-party transactions.
- Inquiries requested by boards, committees or shareholders.
Questions typically analyzed
- Investigation of financial and accounting fraud.
- Tracing of financial flows and identification of beneficiaries.
- Review of accounting records and entries.
- Analysis of suppliers, contracts and atypical payments.
- Identification of accounting inconsistencies.
- Quantification of the amounts involved in the irregularities.
How SGEx Approaches This
SGEx defines the hypothesis under review, sets the data universe, tests entries and payments, cross-references independent sources, and documents every finding with its supporting evidence. The report states what has been confirmed, what remains open, and which limitations affected the work.
Possible Work and Deliverables
The format is defined according to the case, the proceeding and the purpose of the work.
- Financial investigation report
- Map of transactions and beneficiaries
- Quantification of amounts involved
- Expert opinion for use in proceedings
- Recommendations for control improvements
Related Experience
Other SGEx Solutions
Services, specialties, contexts and industries connected to this topic under SGEx's relationship matrix.
Related Services
- Forensic AccountingReconstruction and examination of accounting records and financial flows for evidentiary purposes, in contexts of suspected wrongdoing, conflict or inquiry.
- Financial and Operational AuditExamination of financial statements, processes and controls, focused on the reliability of information and adherence to defined criteria.
- Criminal Forensic AccountingAccounting and financial examination of facts under investigation in criminal and administrative sanctioning proceedings, for those who accuse and those who defend.
Related Specialties
- Forensic Accounting and AuditAccounting reconstruction, tracing of financial flows, analysis of financial statements, contingencies and fraud investigation.
- Financial Crime and Money LaunderingAccounting and financial examination of fraud, diversion and misappropriation, and of the path funds took to conceal their origin.
Related Areas of Practice
- Corporate Criminal MattersCriminal proceedings involving companies and their officers in which the evidence turns on accounting and financial analysis.
- Corporate and Shareholder DisputesDisputes among shareholders, partners and officers, corporate dissolutions, buyout claims and disagreements over financial results.
- Courts of Audit and Oversight BodiesProceedings before Courts of Audit, internal-control bodies and other oversight bodies that examine the use of public funds.
Related Industries
- Public Administration and GovernmentPublic contracts, cooperation agreements, concessions and oversight proceedings involving public funds.
- Financial and Capital MarketsFinancial institutions, investment funds, investors and publicly listed companies involved in disputes, valuations and financial reviews.
- Associations, Foundations and Nonprofit SectorAssociations, foundations and nonprofit organizations facing accountability duties, tax-immunity requirements and financial reviews.
- Cryptocurrency and Digital AssetsCustody, movement and recordkeeping of crypto-assets in investigations, disputes and asset-tracing engagements.
- Condominiums and Residential AssociationsCondominiums, gated communities and residents’ associations in account audits, accounts of property managers and disputes over works and cost sharing.
Request an Analysis
Describe the technical question, the context in which it arose, and the documents available. This information lets SGEx assess the scope of the work before any proposal.