Forensic accounting support for CPA firms, law firms, and businesses investigating financial irregularities, fraud, or litigation-relevant financial matters. Delivered through senior offshore accountants with forensic training, under direction of US-based forensic CPAs. Hourly engagement $55–$110/hour depending on seniority.
Forensic accounting is fundamentally a US-based, CPA-directed discipline. Forensic CPAs hold specific credentials (CFE, CrFA, CFF) and typically testify in US courts. Offshore accountants don't replace forensic CPAs; they provide support capacity for the labor-intensive analysis that typically accompanies forensic engagements.
In this structure, offshore capacity handles the high-volume analytical work that would otherwise require US-based junior forensic staff at 2–3x the cost. US staff retain responsibility for judgment, client communication, and testimony.
Forensic engagements have specific compliance considerations beyond standard accounting:
Forensic investigations are highly confidential. Engagement paperwork includes enhanced NDA language. Individual offshore analysts sign engagement-specific confidentiality agreements beyond standard NDAs.
Forensic engagements often involve highly sensitive data (ongoing fraud investigations, employee personnel records, customer PII). Enhanced security protocols: isolated work environments, additional encryption, restricted access, detailed audit logs of who accessed what when.
Where forensic work may lead to litigation, evidence handling standards apply: chain of custody documentation, metadata preservation, no alteration of source materials, forensic copies of digital evidence. Offshore analysts work from forensic copies; originals stay with the US-based forensic CPA and counsel.
When forensic engagement happens under attorney-client privilege (Kovel engagement), all work product is protected. Offshore analysts follow attorney instructions on communication, document handling, and reporting to maintain privilege.
Forensic accounting engagements typically bill hourly due to scope variability:
| Role | Hourly rate (offshore) | Hourly rate (US equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic analyst (3–6 years experience) | $55–$85 | $175–$285 |
| Senior forensic analyst (6–12 years) | $75–$110 | $285–$450 |
| Forensic manager (for internal review) | $110–$165 | $450–$650 |
Cost reduction typically 60–75% vs US-only forensic staff for equivalent scope. For litigation engagements where offshore hours can run 200–800 hours of analytical work, the cost difference is meaningful ($80k–$300k+ savings per engagement).
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