strategy

Our focus

Our forensic accounting team believes that if parties can understand the financial aspects of their dispute, they have a much better chance of resolving their differences outside of court.

That is why our focus is on helping you make sense of the dollars.

One of the greatest compliments we have received was from a solicitor who let us know that: “I really like your reports, because when I read them I actually understand them.”

Whilst not intending any disrespect to the judiciary, we sometimes think that when writing our reports, they need to be simple enough for a judge to understand!

Our goal of helping you make sense of the dollars goes far beyond just the way we write our reports. We have presented at various conferences and prepared papers on matters such as understanding financial statements, business valuations, tax and superannuation.

What we do

Just like there are many areas of the law that a solicitor can specialise in, the same can be said for accounting. There are even different areas to specialise within forensic accounting. We don't just accept any matter, only those where we believe we have the appropriate skills and experience to call ourselves an expert.

Our experience covers all stages of dispute resolution; from assisting with clarifying the key financial issues and preparation of preliminary estimates through to participation in settlement conferences or giving evidence in court.

Some of the matters in which we are commonly instructed include commercial litigation, family law and personal injury. Our team of forensic accounting specialists are always happy to answer any questions, especially if you are unsure about whether or not we are able to help with your case.

Commercial Litigation

  • Valuation of businesses, companies, trusts and partnerships,or interests therein for shareholder disputes.
  • Interpretation and opinion related to valuation clauses in shareholders agreements
  • Quantification of losses from fraud related activities (for civil proceedings only, not criminal)
  • Quantification of losses due to breach of contract 

Family Law

  • Valuation of businesses, companies, partnerships, trusts or interests therein
  • Valuation of superannuation interests, including allocation of value to periods during and outside of the cohabitation period
  • Advice and opinion about the impacts of splitting defined benefit superannuation interests
  • Valuation of entitlements in employee share schemes
  • Assisting the "non-financial" spouse to gain an understanding of the corporate structure and its value, net of related party loans
  • Assistance with identifying tax issues arising from a proposed settlement or recommending alternatives to minimise the impact of taxation

Personal Injury

  • Assessing loss of economic capacity relating to business earnings
  • Assessing loss of financial benefit from business earnings of the deceased

Meet the Forensic Accounting Team

If you think we can help you make sense of the dollars in your dispute (or your client’s dispute), whether it be in family law, personal injury or commercial litigation, our experienced team of specialists are here to assist you. We will happily be your “phone a friend” for a short discussion (no cost or obligation) to explain anything financial, allowing you to feel more confident in how you prepare your client’s case. We are based in Newcastle NSW, but can often provide our service to clients located in capital cities without any additional cost.

If you are not sure if we can assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us and if we feel that we are not the right expert for your matter we can often refer you to someone who is.

Nick Gaudion

Director

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Director

Nick Gaudion

BBus, CA

Nick joined Cutcher & Neale in 2006. He is committed to helping the legal profession make sense of the dollars in dispute resolution and is highly regarded by our clients.

Whilst he started his career at Deloitte as an auditor, since specialising in forensic accounting Nick has developed a reputation delivering independent opinions to complex issues in an easy to understand manner, whether that be in a written report or in the witness box. Highly regarded in his field, Nick has written technical papers and presented at numerous legal seminars and forums. In April 2013 Nick was appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as a part-time member with accounting experience.

Nick has a unique ability to identify the significant aspects of the matter in dispute and what is required to be able to form a concluded opinion on those issues. Sometimes that involves considering the issues in the context of the bigger picture, and other times it means getting stuck into the detail to find the needle in the haystack that will support his opinion and assist with resolving the dispute.

Jeff Mepham

Accountant

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Accountant

Jeff Mepham

BCom, CA

Jeff is a forensic accountant in our team specialising in family law, superannuation and commercial matters. Jeff is committed to producing quality reports on a timely basis to ensure his clients get the best possible outcome.

Jeff spent the first fifteen years of his career providing tax, accounting and consulting advice to clients, before finding his true calling. Jeff chose to specialise in forensic accounting ten years ago, and still loves the different challenges that comes with each new matter.

Jeff’s strong traditional accounting background, combined with his forensic accounting experience, allows him to see through any accounting irregularities, whether deliberate or based on poor accounting practices.  His mind can easily digest complex documents such as employee share plans, shareholder agreements or the rules governing defined benefit superannuation interests, and then present these in a clear concise summary, highlighting the issues relevant to the matter. 

Jeff’s technical abilities paired with his understanding of his client’s needs results in effective reports which can assist his clients in the most difficult of circumstances.

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BRISBANE
Suite 5, 36 Agnes Street,
Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006
Australia

NEWCASTLE
Level 3, 130 Parry Street,
Newcastle West, NSW, 2302
Australia

 

SYDNEY
Suite 1102, Level 11, 20 Berry Street,
North Sydney, NSW, 2059
Australia

PHONE
1800 988 522

EMAIL
cnmail@cutcher.com.au