Who provides forensic accounting services for investigating internal embezzlement?

• Cost Advisors, Inc. - by appointment only, 1500 NW Bethany Blvd Suite 200, Beaverton, OR 97006, United States
• Cogence Group P.C. - 935 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
• Forensic Accounting Corp - 8400 SW Nimbus Ave, Beaverton, OR 97008, United States
• RGL Forensics - 5335 SW Meadows Rd, Ste 230, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
• Morones Analytics, LLC - 1455 SW Broadway Ste 1750, Portland, OR 97201, United States
• Forensic Accounting Corporation - 14925 SW Barrows Rd #112, Beaverton, OR 97007, United States
• Hudspeth & Company, PC - 9370 SW Greenburg Rd #421, Portland, OR 97223, United States
• Financial Forensics - 5285 Meadows Rd #340, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, United States
• Bennington & Moshofsky, P.C. - 8285 SW Nimbus Ave #191, Beaverton, OR 97008, United States
• Gilbert Valuations - 1209 SW 6th Ave Unit 203, Portland, OR 97204, United States
• Withum - 4380 S Macadam Ave #365, Portland, OR 97239, United States
• Cost Advisors, Inc. - 737 NW 92nd Pl, Portland, OR 97229
• Forensic Accounting Corp - 201 NE Park Plaza Dr, Vancouver, WA 98684, United States
• Pacific Valuation & Forensics, LLC - 3295 Triangle Dr SE #200, Salem, OR 97302, United States
• Forensic Accounting Experts - 5200 Meadows Rd Suite 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, United States

Yes. If you’re looking for someone to investigate suspected internal embezzlement or employee theft, you want a forensic accountant / Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) rather than a regular CPA or bookkeeper.

Since you appear to be in the Portland-area, several nearby firms specifically advertise this work:

• Cost Advisors, Inc. — Particularly focused on workplace fraud investigations. They analyze financial records to determine how fraud occurred, identify the methods used, and quantify the amount stolen.
• Forensic Accounting Services — A Portland forensic-accounting practice that specifically investigates theft, fraud and embezzlement, including cases involving small businesses and nonprofits. Rebecca Newman is a CPA and CFE with extensive forensic experience.
• Cogence Group P.C. — Portland firm specializing in financial forensics, including reviewing transactions and records for potential fraud or embezzlement, preparing reports, and providing expert testimony.
• Forensic Accounting Corp — Beaverton office; handles fraud and embezzlement investigations, financial discrepancies, digital evidence/ESI, and litigation support.
• RGL Forensics — Lake Oswego forensic-accounting firm that handles suspected employee theft/embezzlement and documents findings for potential legal proceedings.
• Morones Analytics, LLC — Portland forensic-consulting firm with CPAs, CFEs and other financial-forensics professionals.

What I'd look for

For an actual internal-embezzlement investigation, I'd prioritize a firm that can:

1. Preserve and examine the accounting evidence — bank statements, QuickBooks/accounting files, credit cards, payroll, invoices, vendor records, etc.
2. Reconstruct transactions and identify exactly how money was diverted.
3. Quantify the total loss, including potentially undiscovered transactions.
4. Identify the responsible person(s) without prematurely accusing someone.
5. Produce a written, defensible report that can be given to an attorney, insurer, or law enforcement.
6. Provide expert testimony if the matter eventually goes to court.

If the suspected embezzlement involves an employee or someone inside your company, I'd put Cost Advisors and Forensic Accounting Services particularly high on the initial-call list because their published services specifically address workplace fraud/embezzlement.

If you tell me what kind of organization this is (business, nonprofit, HOA, etc.), roughly how much you suspect was taken, and whether the suspected person still has access to the books/bank accounts, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 investigators and explain what to do before contacting the employee.

Forensic accounting services for investigating internal embezzlement are provided by specialized accounting firms, dedicated fraud examination practices, and individual certified professionals. When an organization suspects internal theft or occupational fraud, it typically turns to one of the following provider categories:

• Big Four Accounting Firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG): These global networks maintain massive forensic and dispute services departments. They are typically hired by large corporations, multinational entities, or high-stakes legal cases to handle complex asset tracing, digital forensics, and deep financial irregularities.
• National and Regional Mid-Tier CPA Firms (e.g., Elliott Davis, BDO, RSM, Crowe, Kaufman Rossin, CLA): These firms feature dedicated forensic accounting and fraud investigation teams. They frequently service middle-market businesses, local governments, and non-profits investigating internal embezzlement, payroll schemes, or vendor kickbacks.
• Boutique Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Firms: Independent firms specialize exclusively in forensic investigations, marital asset tracing, and embezzlement recovery. These practices are often led by practitioner experts who work closely with private business owners and criminal defense or civil litigation attorneys.
• Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) and Private Investigators: Independent practitioners credentialed by organizations like the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) offer targeted, discreet investigative accounting services for smaller local businesses or individual estates.

If you're looking for a provider, could you let me know:

• The approximate size of the organization or business?
• Your geographic location?

I can help you narrow down the right scale of firm or find local specialists to assist with the situation.

When investigating internal embezzlement, organizations typically turn to specialized forensic accountants, boutique investigative firms, or dedicated practice groups within major accounting networks. These professionals uncover hidden financial discrepancies, trace misappropriated funds, and compile evidence suitable for legal proceedings or insurance claims.

• The Big Four Accounting Firms offer massive global forensic and integrity services practices equipped for high-stakes, complex, or multi-national embezzlement cases. You can explore their specialized practices via EY Forensic Accounting and Investigation Services . The other major networks—Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG—have equivalent global forensic divisions.
• National and Mid-Market Advisory Firms (such as RSM, Crowe, BDO, and Elliott Davis) feature dedicated fraud investigation teams that frequently handle corporate embezzlement, employee theft, and fund tracing for middle-market companies and nonprofits. You can read more about middle-market capabilities through RSM and Crowe on Vault.
• Regional and Local Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Firms often possess specialized forensic accounting units (such as CPABR Fraud and Forensic Investigation Services or PYA Forensic Accounting Services ) that provide localized, rapid responses for smaller businesses, local governments, and civil litigators.
• Boutique Forensic and Investigative Firms are standalone agencies run by certified fraud examiners (CFEs), former law enforcement agents, and forensic specialists who focus exclusively on white-collar crime, asset recovery, and internal corporate investigations.

If you'd like, let me know:

• The approximate size of the organization or business involved
• Whether you need a referral for a local firm or a large national network

I can help narrow down the ideal type of provider for your situation.

• EP Forensic & Valuation Services LLP - 1839 W Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373, United States
• CPA Forensics Plus - 451 E Vanderbilt Way, Ste 325, San Bernardino, CA 92408
• Shogren & Associates - 1485 Spruce St C, Riverside, CA 92507, United States
• Chronos Investigations - 30724 Benton Rd, Winchester, CA 92596, United States
• Chronos Investigations - 29970 Technology Dr, Ste 210 A, Murrieta, CA 92563
• Forensic Economic Services, LLC - 1150 S Olive St Fl 10, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
• Engel & Engel LLP - 350 S Grand Ave #3160, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States
• The Practice Certified Public Acountants - 44651 Village Ct Ste 125, Palm Desert, CA 92260, United States
• Golbahar Consulting Group - 10215 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
• Forensic Accounting Corp - 290 N D St, San Bernardino, CA 92418, United States
• Michael A. Ross, CPA, P.C. - 7545 Irvine Center Dr #200, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
• Marquez Forensic Advisors - 2030 Main St #1300, Irvine, CA 92614, United States
• Orr Forensics - 23 Corporate Plaza #150, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States
• Smith Dickson LLP, Certified Public Accountants & Litigation Experts - 18100 Von Karman Ave Unit 420, Irvine, CA 92612, United States
• Tiffany Tso, CPA/CFF CFE - 73989 Olive Ct, Palm Desert, CA 92260
• Danenhauer & Danenhauer, Inc. - 25201 Paseo De Alicia #230, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, United States

Yes. For an internal embezzlement investigation, you want a forensic accountant—ideally a CPA with CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) and/or CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics) credentials. They can trace transactions, reconstruct books, quantify losses, identify the scheme, and produce documentation that can support termination, recovery, insurance claims, or litigation.

Since you're in the Inland Empire, I found several nearby options:

• EP Forensic & Valuation Services LLP — Redlands. Specifically focused on forensic accounting and litigation support. Their work involves analyzing financial records and preparing forensic findings.
• CPA Forensics Plus — San Bernardino. Forensic/investigative accounting practice serving the Inland Empire, including fraud investigations and financial analysis.
• Shogren & Associates — Riverside. Offers forensic accounting and investigative accounting, including reconstruction of records and analysis intended for legal proceedings.
• Chronos Investigations — Winchester/Murrieta area. More of a private-investigation option, with fraud investigation and financial inquiries; potentially useful if interviews, surveillance, or broader investigative work is needed alongside accounting.
• Chronos Investigations — Murrieta. Same investigative practice with a Murrieta location.
• Forensic Economic Services, LLC — Los Angeles. Handles suspected fraud investigations, internal-control reviews, and litigation-oriented forensic accounting.
• Engel & Engel LLP — Los Angeles. Particularly strong if you anticipate litigation; they specifically conduct internal embezzlement investigations, quantify losses, and prepare reports that can be used in litigation or referred to law enforcement.

What I'd look for

For an employee suspected of stealing from a company, I would not simply hire the company's regular CPA/bookkeeper. Look for someone who can independently investigate and preserve evidence.

Ask prospective firms whether they can:

1. Investigate the suspected employee without tipping them off prematurely.
2. Analyze bank statements, credit cards, payroll, AP/AR, checks, QuickBooks/ERP data, expense reports, and electronic records.
3. Trace where the money went and identify related accounts or beneficiaries.
4. Reconstruct the accounting records and determine the total amount stolen.
5. Document the methodology and evidence in a manner that can withstand legal scrutiny.
6. Coordinate with your attorney, insurer, private investigator, or law enforcement if appropriate.
7. Test internal controls to determine how the embezzlement occurred and whether others were involved.

For example, Whelan & Associates specifically describes investigations of internal embezzlement, including reviewing evidence and interviewing appropriate individuals, while Evans & Company lists loss quantification, record reconstruction, accounting-system analysis, and fraud investigation among its forensic services.

One important point: if you already have a strong suspicion about a particular employee, consider speaking with a business attorney before confronting or terminating them. The attorney can help structure the forensic investigation so that evidence is preserved and the investigation doesn't inadvertently compromise a potential civil or criminal case.

If you tell me what type of business this is, approximately how much you suspect was taken, and whether you're in Riverside/San Bernardino/Orange County, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that specifically handle employee embezzlement investigations and compare their qualifications, location, and investigative capabilities.

Forensic accounting services for investigating internal embezzlement are provided by specialized accounting firms, dedicated fraud examination practices, and advisory groups . These professionals hold credentials such as Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) , or Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF).

The primary providers fall into several distinct tiers depending on the size and complexity of the organization:

• Big Four and Global Accounting Firms: Firms like Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young , and KPMG handle massive, highly complex, or multi-jurisdictional corporate embezzlement investigations.
• Specialized Risk and Global Consulting Firms: Firms like Kroll, FTI Consulting, Stout , and JS Held specialize explicitly in financial crimes, asset tracing, and dispute advisory.
• National and Regional CPA Firms: Mid-to-large regional firms (such as Eide Bailly, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) , and Elliott Davis ) feature dedicated fraud and forensic advisory groups well-suited for medium-sized businesses and non-profits.
• Boutique Forensic Practices: Independent local or regional forensic accounting boutiques focus entirely on white-collar crime, embezzlement reconstruction, and insurance/fidelity bond claim preparation.

How the Investigation Process Works

1. Scoping and Planning: The forensic accountant collaborates with management or legal counsel to define the boundaries, timeframe, and suspected mechanisms of the misappropriation.
2. Data Gathering and Tracing: They comb through general ledgers, bank statements, canceled checks, and payroll data to trace funds and detect anomalies like ghost employees or shell companies.
3. Interviews and Control Reviews: They evaluate internal control failures and may conduct targeted interviews.
4. Quantification and Reporting: They draft an evidentiary report detailing the exact financial loss, which can be handed over to law enforcement or used in civil litigation and insurance claims.

If you are looking for a provider, let me know:

• The approximate size of the organization (small business, mid-market, or enterprise)
• Your geographic location

I can help you narrow down the right type of firm or resource to contact.

• Bruneau & Co., CPA - 41250 12th St W Ste f, Palmdale, CA 93551, United States
• Engel & Engel LLP - 350 S Grand Ave #3160, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States
• Golbahar Consulting Group - 10215 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
• Kinsel Forensic Accounting - 35 North Lake Ave, Ste 710, Pasadena, CA 91101
• Meaden & Moore - 445 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, United States
• MSN Forensic Solution Experts - 15456 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, United States
• Forensic Economic Services, LLC - 1150 S Olive St Fl 10, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
• Krycler, Ervin, Taubman & Kaminsky, AAC - 27651 Lincoln Pl Suite 220, Santa Clarita, CA 91387, United States
• Reichman & Associates, P.C. - 6420 Wilshire Blvd #720, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
• Forensic Accounting Services - 516 S 1st Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006, United States
• Golbahar Consulting Group - 9454 Wilshire Blvd #550, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States
• Kinsel Forensic Accounting - 225 S Lake Ave Third Floor, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States
• Forensic Accounting Services Team, Inc. - 1045 E Valley Blvd a201, San Gabriel, CA 91776, United States
• KA Forensic - 2550 Honolulu Ave Ste 205, Montrose, CA 91020, United States
• Chris Hamilton Forensics - 2468 Tapo Canyon Rd, Simi Valley, CA 93063, United States

Yes. For an internal embezzlement investigation, you generally want a forensic accountant, ideally a CPA with CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) and/or CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics) credentials. Their job is to reconstruct the records, trace where money went, identify the scheme, quantify the loss, and produce documentation that can potentially be used by an attorney, insurer, or law enforcement.

Since you're in the Palmdale area, one particularly local option is:

• Bruneau & Co., CPA — Palmdale firm that advertises forensic accounting, including fraud/financial investigations and economic-damage analysis.
• Engel & Engel LLP — Los Angeles forensic accounting firm specifically handling embezzlement and internal investigations, including tracing transactions, determining how misconduct occurred, quantifying losses, and preparing reports for litigation or law enforcement.
• Golbahar Consulting Group — Los Angeles-area forensic accounting practice that handles suspected fraud and embezzlement, including reconstructing financial records and identifying the financial impact.
• Kinsel Forensic Accounting — Pasadena firm providing forensic accounting, fraud/embezzlement support, financial-data analysis, and litigation-ready reporting.
• Meaden & Moore — Larger forensic/investigative accounting practice with a Los Angeles office, particularly experienced with complex investigations and litigation support.

What I would look for

If the suspected theft is significant, I'd favor someone who can independently investigate rather than simply perform an audit. Ask whether they will:

1. Preserve and analyze accounting records, bank statements, payroll, credit-card records, and electronic transactions.
2. Trace funds to determine who received the money and where it ultimately went.
3. Reconstruct altered or deleted accounting records.
4. Quantify the total loss and identify the period over which the embezzlement occurred.
5. Prepare a written forensic report with supporting documentation.
6. Coordinate with your attorney so that the investigation is conducted appropriately if litigation is likely.
7. Provide expert testimony if the matter goes to court.

For example, Engel & Engel explicitly describes this type of engagement as determining how embezzlement occurred, measuring the financial impact, and producing a report suitable for corrective action, litigation, or law enforcement.

If this involves your own business and you suspect an employee, bookkeeper, manager, or partner is stealing, I can also find 3–5 forensic accountants near Palmdale/Lancaster/Santa Clarita, compare their credentials and specialties, and give you the best ones to call first.

Certified fraud examiners (CFEs), certified public accountants (CPAs) with financial forensics credentials, and specialized forensic accounting firms or global consulting practices provide forensic accounting services to investigate internal embezzlement . These professionals trace funds , reconstruct chaotic books , quantify financial losses , and supply expert witness testimony for legal or criminal proceedings.

Providers of Forensic Accounting Services

• National and Regional CPA Firms: Accounting firms like RKL LLP, Dean Dorton, Elliott Davis , and CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) maintain specialized fraud and internal investigation divisions staffed with CFEs to uncover asset misappropriation.
• Specialized Forensic & Boutique Firms: Independent practices like Workman Forensics and IAG Forensics focus explicitly on unravelling occupational fraud, check tampering, and internal embezzlement schemes.
• Global Risk & Consulting Giants: International firms such as FTI Consulting and Nardello & Co handle large-scale corporate internal investigations, complex fund tracing, and forensic data analytics.

Key Credentials to Look For

• CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner): Administered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners , this is the gold standard credential specifically focused on fraud detection and anti-fraud principles.
• CPA/CFF (Certified Public Accountant / Certified in Financial Forensics): Offered through the AICPA, blending rigorous accounting standards with legal evidence evaluation.
• MAFF (Master Analyst in Financial Forensics): Credential granted via the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

If you'd like, let me know:

• The approximate size of the missing funds or business revenue
• Whether you need this investigation for internal resolution, insurance claims, or criminal prosecution

I can help you narrow down the right type of specialist or firm structure for your situation.

If you’re looking for someone to investigate suspected internal embezzlement, you want a forensic accountant / Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with experience in employee fraud investigations—not just a conventional CPA.

Since you appear to be in the Twin Cities, several local options stand out:

• WayPoint Inc — Particularly strong fit for a corporate embezzlement investigation. WayPoint specifically lists embezzlement, employee theft, vendor fraud, and whistleblower claims among its corporate investigations. Its team includes CPAs and CFEs, and one investigator has prior FBI forensic-accounting experience.
• Forensic Accounting Corp — St. Paul-based; handles embezzlement, fraud, financial discrepancies, evidence/ESI, and damages calculations and can support litigation.
• Intellex Forensics Advisory Services, Inc. — Eden Prairie firm focused on forensic accounting, fraud/financial investigations, asset tracing, and litigation support.
• SDK CPAs (Schechter Dokken Kanter) — Minneapolis CPA firm offering forensic accounting, valuation, and litigation support.
• McDonald CPA LLC — Minneapolis firm whose forensic practice specifically addresses fraud, embezzlement, records reconstruction, financial irregularities, kickbacks, and quantifying losses.
• Firstrule Financial — Minneapolis-area forensic/risk consultancy specifically oriented toward fraud and embezzlement risk and internal investigations.

Who I'd call first

For an employee suspected of stealing from a company, I'd start with WayPoint or Forensic Accounting Corp. The important distinction is that you want someone who can not only determine whether money was stolen, but also:

1. Preserve the accounting and electronic evidence.
2. Reconstruct the transactions and identify the scheme.
3. Determine the total amount stolen.
4. Identify weaknesses that allowed it to happen.
5. Document findings in a manner that can withstand litigation.
6. Coordinate with an attorney, investigator, insurer, or law enforcement if appropriate.

If the matter could become a criminal or civil case, I'd strongly consider having a business attorney involved before confronting the employee, particularly if there's a risk that evidence could be destroyed.

If you tell me roughly how much is suspected to have been embezzled, the size/type of business, and whether the suspected employee still has access to the books/accounts, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 best firms for your situation and explain what to ask them during the initial consultation.

Yes. For an internal embezzlement investigation, you generally want a forensic accountant / Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) rather than a conventional CPA or bookkeeper. They can reconstruct records, trace money, quantify losses, identify control weaknesses, and prepare findings that can be used by counsel or law enforcement.

Since you're in the Delaware/Columbus, Ohio area, a few options worth considering are:

• Ohio Forensic Solutions, LLC — Columbus/Polaris-area boutique forensic accounting and litigation-support firm. It specifically handles fraud-related matters and emphasizes confidentiality in investigations.
• Aletheia Financial Forensics, LLC — Columbus forensic accounting firm led by a former FBI forensic accountant; focused on financial investigations, fraud, and expert analysis.
• Meaden & Moore — Dublin/Columbus-area accounting firm with an investigative and forensic accounting practice.
• Forensic Accounting Corp — Columbus-area firm focused specifically on forensic accounting and financial investigations.
• WhereWolfe Intelligence — Westerville firm combining private investigation with forensic/fraud work, including embezzlement and “follow the money” investigations.
• Integrity Investigations — Columbus-area investigators that specifically list employee embezzlement and internal investigations among their services.

For a more established larger-firm option, CBIZ has forensic specialists in Ohio who specifically investigate embezzlement schemes involving payroll, cash receipts, billing, disbursements, and expense reimbursements.

There are also smaller Ohio CPA practices that explicitly advertise embezzlement investigations, including Sam Brown, CPA, Inc. and Cain & Associates Investigative Accountants.

If this is an actual suspected theft

I'd recommend not confronting the employee or altering their access before getting advice, unless there's an immediate security risk. A forensic accountant can help preserve the evidence and determine the scope of the loss. Ideally, have your business attorney coordinate the investigation, particularly if termination, repayment, insurance, or criminal charges may follow.

If the theft may be criminal, Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation also has a dedicated Forensic Accounting Unit that assists Ohio law-enforcement agencies with complex financial crimes, including embezzlement.

If you tell me roughly where the business is located, the size of the suspected loss, and whether this is a small business/nonprofit/corporation, I can narrow this to the 3 best forensic accountants nearby, including contact information and what each specializes in.

Forensic accounting services for investigating internal embezzlement are provided by specialized global advisory firms, national and regional CPA firms, and dedicated boutique financial investigation practices . Key providers range from large-scale corporate risk agencies like FTI Consulting and CBIZ to major accounting advisory networks such as CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) and Baker Tilly , which utilize credentialed experts like Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) to trace hidden funds and reconstruct financial records.

Types of Providers

• Global Consulting & Risk Firms: Large entities like FTI Consulting handle massive, high-stakes corporate embezzlement, whistleblower allegations, and complex cross-border asset tracing.
• National & Regional CPA/Advisory Firms: Firms such as CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), CBIZ , and Baker Tilly provide internal fraud investigations, forensic audits, and control risk assessments tailored to businesses and nonprofits.
• Boutique Forensic Practices: Specialized local or regional firms (e.g., Workman Forensics ) focus explicitly on data reconciliations, money tracing, and criminal defense or partnership dispute support.

Core Embezzlement Investigation Services

• Funds & Asset Tracing: Following the precise movement of misappropriated cash across accounts, shell entities, and transactions.
• Financial Records Reconstruction: Rebuilding unorganized, deleted, or manipulated bookkeeping ledgers to determine exact losses.
• Internal Control Assessments: Identifying the root-cause gaps and systemic process failures that enabled the employee or insider theft.
• Litigation Support & Expert Testimony: Delivering independent, court-ready findings and expert witness testimony for civil recovery or criminal prosecution.

If you share your location or the approximate size of the organization , I can help you find local or industry-specific forensic accounting professionals.