Forensic Accounting
Financial investigations, fraud analysis, IRS audit support, and from a degreed forensic accountant.
Forensic accounting services
in Fredericksburg and King George, VA.
Forensic accounting applies accounting principles to legal, investigative, and compliance situations. Fraud investigations, IRS audits, business disputes, divorce proceedings involving business assets, embezzlement, and all require not just accounting knowledge — but the ability to analyze financial records with a skeptical, investigative eye and document findings in a format that holds up to scrutiny.
Lisa Hamlin holds a B.S. in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University — a degree specifically designed to train accountants for investigative and compliance work, not just routine financial reporting. Combined with approximately 3 years as Director of Finance managing government contract audit environments with direct DCAA audit responsibility, Book It Accounting brings genuine forensic accounting capability to situations that require it.
What forensic accounting is and when you need it
The word forensic means suitable for use in a court of law. Forensic accounting findings are documented in a way that can be presented as evidence, used to support legal claims, or submitted in regulatory proceedings.
You may need forensic accounting when: money appears to be missing from your business and you suspect embezzlement; a business partner dispute requires independent financial analysis; you are going through a divorce and business assets need to be valued or income traced; you have received an IRS audit notice; or you are involved in litigation where financial damages need to be quantified.
what the credential was built for.
Most accountants who handle fraud investigations or IRS audit support are general practitioners adding a specialty. Lisa holds a B.S. in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University — a degree program specifically designed for investigative and compliance work, covering financial statement analysis, fraud examination, and evidence documentation. This is not a general accounting background applied to forensic situations. It is the actual training.
Fraud investigation and embezzlement
Asset misappropriation — theft of company funds by an employee, officer, or business partner — frequently goes undetected for months or years because the person committing the fraud is often also responsible for the accounting records. Common forms include check tampering, payroll fraud, expense reimbursement fraud, skimming of cash receipts, and unauthorized transfers.
A forensic investigation begins with securing the financial records, identifying the scope of the irregularity, and tracing transactions to their source. Findings are documented in a format suitable for law enforcement, an attorney, or an insurance company filing a fidelity bond claim. The bookkeeping accuracy foundation that reveals discrepancies, the transaction tracing that documents the loss, and the report preparation that supports legal action are all within the scope of the forensic engagement.
IRS audit support
The IRS conducts three types of audits: correspondence audits (by mail), office audits (at an IRS office), and field audits (at your place of business). The vast majority of small business audits are correspondence audits requesting specific documentation — they do not involve an IRS agent visiting your office.
IRS audit support includes organizing the requested documentation, preparing a written response, and working through the IRS’s requests systematically. The forensic accounting discipline trains an accountant to find irregularities in records — the same discipline trains them to document and defend the accuracy of those records.
involves financial analysis in connection with legal proceedings — business valuation for a buy-sell dispute, lost profits calculation for a breach of contract claim, income analysis for a divorce proceeding, or damage quantification for a fraud case. The financial analysis must be documented in a report an attorney can use and, if needed, presented in
services are available in coordination with your attorney. Government contract accounting experience is particularly relevant for contractors involved in disputes with the government over contract costs, indirect rates, or audit findings.
How a forensic accounting engagement works
Forensic accounting engagements are structured differently from routine accounting work. They begin with a clearly defined scope — what financial period is being examined, what question the investigation is meant to answer, and what format the findings need to be delivered in. The scope and deliverables are established in writing before work begins.
The investigation is conducted on the financial records available — bank statements, accounting records, expense documentation, payroll records, and any other relevant source documents. Findings are documented in a written report that explains what was examined, what was found, and how the conclusions were reached. The report is structured to be understandable to a non-accountant — a business owner, an attorney, or a judge — without sacrificing the technical accuracy that makes it defensible.
Forensic accounting in Fredericksburg and King George, Virginia
Book It Accounting provides forensic accounting services for businesses and individuals throughout the Fredericksburg region — King George County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and Fredericksburg City — as well as nationally through virtual engagement. Virginia does not require a separate forensic accounting license beyond a standard accounting credential, but the B.S. in Forensic Accounting from Franklin University that Lisa holds is a specific educational credential in the investigative discipline — not simply a general accounting degree with a forensic interest.
For attorneys in the Fredericksburg area handling business disputes, divorce proceedings with business assets, or fraud cases, Book It Accounting is available to provide financial analysis and, where appropriate testimony. Initial consultations for forensic matters are conducted confidentially. If the matter involves potential criminal activity, the documentation is structured from the outset to be appropriate for law enforcement referral.
Answers before
you even ask.
A forensic accountant is trained to investigate financial records with the assumption that something may be wrong — looking for irregularities and evidence of fraud or error. A regular accountant assumes the records are generally correct and works to compile or report them.
Start with a consultation. Do not alert the suspected party or change procedures before the investigation is structured. Book It Accounting will review financial records, identify the scope of potential loss, and help document findings in a format suitable for law enforcement or legal proceedings.
Yes. IRS audit support — organizing documentation, preparing responses, and working through audit requests — is a core part of forensic accounting practice. Most audits are correspondence audits resolved with well-organized supporting documentation.
services are available in coordination with your attorney. Report preparation,
Other ways
we can help.
Ready to get your
books in order?
Schedule a free consultation. Lisa will review your situation and give you an honest assessment — no pressure, no obligation.