Forensic

Independent Forensic Reporting

We provide expert accountancy and valuation services on a range of commercial matters and intellectual property disputes.

Our team of forensic accountants has accumulated decades of experience providing expert witness services, ranging from large and complex disputes (with quantum exceeding $100 million) to small-quantum or single-issue matters.

 

What we do

We provide independent and objective testimony in forensic accounting, economic and competition analysis, financial and public policy services, data analytics and modelling.

Our multi-disciplinary team of dedicated forensic accountants specialises in providing high-quality, timely investigative services.

We assist companies and their legal counsel to investigate facts, assess risk, resolve disputes and manage regulatory challenges.

Our team is regularly called on to provide expert reports and oral testimony in senior courts in Australia, New Zealand and around the world.

 

Our forensic services include:
  • Examining accounting issues and forensic investigations
  • Valuations
  • Estimation of loss arising from intellectual property disputes
  • Expert determinations
  • Asset tracing
  • Damage assessments
  • Taxation disputes
  • Acting in class actions
  • Shadow expert advice
  • Litigation support, including assistance in the drafting of pleadings.
Intellectual property

Sapere Forensic has extensive experience in the estimation of loss arising from intellectual property disputes, including:

  • Enquiries as to damages
  • Accounts of profit
  • Undertakings as to damages
  • Determination of reasonable royalty rates
  • Conducting royalty examinations.
Expert determinations

Across our significant experience in expert determinations, we have provided determinations as the independent expert in the financial services sector, the broadcasting sector, compulsory land acquisitions and insurance claims.

Accounting issues and investigations

Sapere Forensic is regularly instructed to investigate accounting records in the context of disputes or alleged irregularities. Our experience includes the provision of expert opinions as to whether:

  • Accounting records have been maintained in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001
  • Accounting is in accordance with GAAP and relevant accounting standards
  • Accounting is in accordance with sale and purchase agreements
  • Accounting is in accordance with other prescriptive requirements, such as Trust Deeds
  • Solvency issues.
Asset tracing

Sapere Forensic has provided independent expert reports and oral evidence on a number of large and complex asset tracing assignments.

Taxation disputes

Our services are regularly sought by solicitors acting for or against the Commissioner of Taxation. These disputes typically involve either technical accounting issues or the value of shares, businesses and/or intangible assets.

From the field

Governance Framework and Regulatory Improvement

Design and delivery advisory for a program to reduce risk for a maritime regulator. Program design was based on development and agreement of a shared risk model between the regulator, port and industry stakeholders.

Implementation of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund

Assisting the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance with the delivery of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund which comprises nearly 100 individual projects aimed at reducing the cost of business and encouraging economic growth.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Local Government Grants Program Governance Review

Review and recommended improvements to governance through the full lifecycle of grant program design, project selection and allocation through to delivery and benefits realisation.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Sapere Good Governance Guide

Based on years of project and program assessment, assurance and delivery, the Sapere Good Governance Guide helps establish the right governance and decision making for major initiatives as a way of maximising success and avoiding common challenges that can lead to project failure.

Sapere leads the way in providing clients with direct access to specialist experts with strong international connectivity.

Key contacts

Tony Samuel

Rebecca Conoulty

Martin Cairns

Sue Friend

Marnus Beylefeld

Erik Backdahl

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