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Forensic accounting

Disputes, investigations, and litigation often involve complex financial issues. Differing views and unknown outcomes can create lots of uncertainty for those involved.


Forensic accounting brings together financial expertise and investigative thinking to help you see through complexity. We can help by providing objective and expertise-driven explanations and opinion, helping you move forward with comfort and clarity.

Forensic accounting

Our focus is on helping you make sense of the dollars.

We help legal professionals and their clients make sense of the dollars—delivered in a way that allows clients, lawyers, and the courts to make informed decisions. We help you to:

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Understand what's really going on
In some matters, it's not always clear exactly what has happened. We uncover and explain the financial story behind a dispute, giving you a clearer picture of what has occured—and what it means for you and your matter.

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Gain a clearer picture
We provide a detailed understanding of financial structures, entitlements, and transactions—especially important in Family Law matters where parties may not share the same financial knowledge or access to information.

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Identify the financial issues dispute
We listen to the background of the matter and the differences between the parties, review accounting and financial records, and we work with you to determine what questions and financial issues are in dispute. We then consider how to provide an expert opinion that addresses those issues.

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Simplify the complex
We communicate complex financial matters clearly and simply—helping legal teams, clients, and the courts understand the real issues at hand.

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See things from an objective point of view
Our opinions are always expertise-driven and objective. Sometimes, that means we need to deliver news that clients may not wish to hear. By being transparent, we can provide you with a realistic understanding of the possible outcomes for your dispute.

Analysis

Make informed decisions
By having a greater understanding of the issues in dispute and having an expert opinion that addresses the complex issues in a simple and understandable format, you will be better placed to make informed decisions.

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Specialised expertise. Where it counts.

Forensic accounting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Like the law, it covers a range of specialties, and we only take on matters where we believe we have the right experience and expertise.
Family Law

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
Commercial Litigation

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
Personal Injury

Personal injury

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

What you get with Cutcher & Neale finance:

  • Access to up to 85% loan-to-value ratio (LVR) for owner-occupied and investment loans with no Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
  • Up to 90% loan-to-value ratio (LVR) available for lawyers and accountants, both owner-occupied and investment
  • Specialised credit policies tailored for medical, dental, legal and accounting professionals.
  • Discounted variable and fixed rates not always offered through standard channels.
  • Up to 10 interest offset accounts to better manage cash flow and repayments.
  • A broad, trusted lending panel to match your specific goals and circumstances
  • Ongoing banking relationship management through select finance partners
  • Regular finance reviews to ensure your lending continues to support your bigger picture 

Let's built your
success together.

Get in touch to talk through your options clearly, calmly, and with your best interests in mind.

Book A Consultation

Get it super right:

  • Make informed decisions that grow your retirement savings
  • Understand fees, performance, insurance and contributions
  • Align your super strategy with your overall financial goals
  • Minimise tax on contributions and investment earnings
  • Choose the right fund or structure based on your needs
  • Stay compliant and confident with regulatory requirements
  • Use super as a wealth-building tool, not just a savings account
  • Maximise contribution opportunities while staying within limits
  • Plan for retirement on your terms

Our superannuation specialists help you understand what you have, what’s possible, and what changes will make the most impact.

Meet our forensic expert

Meet the head of the finance department:

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dean.menzies@cutcher.com.au

1800 988 522

Partner

Dean Menzies

BBus, Dip FP, Cert IV Finance Broking, MFAA Full Member

Dean specialises in providing finance solutions for our clients, including home loans, investment loans, refinance, commercial loans and specialised lending for certain professions.

Dean’s background in financial services includes around twelve years in private banking in Sydney and Newcastle which involved managing the lending & wealth requirements of high net worth individuals & families.

Dean’s experience enables Cutcher & Neale Finance to establish an independent, dedicated and specialist approach to our clients ongoing finance requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Forensic accounting can be broadly described as analysing the financial aspects of a dispute. Where a dispute relates to a value or an amount of money, it can be useful to have an independent person review the information and provide an opinion on the financial aspects. This can help the parties understand whether their views are reasonable, whether they should try to settle the matter or if they unable to settle, the opinions that could be before a court.
Yes. Our team has experience preparing reports and giving expert evidence in courts, tribunals and arbitrations.
The time it takes to complete a report can vary greatly depending on the nature of the instructions. Most reports can be completed within two to four months assuming we receive timely responses to requests for information. However, if we experience delays in being provided with the information requested, there can be delays to completion of the report.
This can vary greatly depending on the issues in the matter and the nature of the responses provided. In many matters we would provide between two and four requests for information, but we will continue to request information until we have a proper understanding of all of the relevant matters.
This can also vary greatly depending on the issue on which we are asked to provide an opinion. Some of the key documents we ask for include the financial statements, tax returns and access to other accounting records. But it is not just about the documents. We also request explanations about the background of the business or the issues that led to the dispute. This helps to ensure  we have a detailed understanding of the issues and the opinion being provided is appropriate given the nature of the dispute.
Yes. We generally prefer to work with clients’ lawyers. The financial issues are just one aspect of a dispute. We regularly collaborate with legal professionals to identify the financial issues and cost effective ways in which we can provide an opinion to help provide clarity to the parties and the courts.

Contact Us

Let’s talk. Your next step starts here.

1800 988 522

Sydney
Suite 1.03, Level 1, 100 Pacific Highway,
North Sydney 2060, Australia

Melbourne
Level 8, 60 Albert Road,
South Melbourne, VIC 3205, Australia

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

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

Ready to take the next step? We’re here to help you move forward with comfort and clarity.

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