When money goes missing, a divorce turns into a dispute over what’s really in the business, or a shareholder disagreement ends up in front of a judge, ordinary accounting isn’t enough, you need someone who can trace, evidence and explain the numbers in a way that holds up under scrutiny. Digitax provides forensic accounting services for solicitors, businesses and individuals across the UK, from fraud investigation and asset tracing through to CPR Part 35 expert witness reports.
Forensic Accounting Support for Legal and Business Disputes
Digitax works with solicitors, business owners and individuals who need financial evidence that stands up, whether that’s for a court case, an HMRC investigation, or a dispute that hasn’t reached litigation yet. We trace assets, reconstruct financial records, value businesses and shareholdings for dispute purposes, and prepare reports written for the audience that has to rely on them: a judge, a solicitor, or a client trying to understand what actually happened to their money.
Forensic Accounting Services We Offer
Every case is different, so we scope our involvement around what the dispute or investigation actually needs, rather than a fixed package. Below are the two areas clients and instructing solicitors ask about most.
Expert Witness Reports & Litigation Support
We prepare CPR Part 35 compliant expert reports for commercial disputes, matrimonial proceedings and professional negligence claims, and can act as a Single Joint Expert where both parties agree to instruct one independent accountant rather than two competing ones.
Fraud Investigation & Asset Tracing
If you suspect an employee, a business partner or a former spouse is hiding or misusing money, we investigate the financial trail, identify what's happened, and set out the evidence clearly enough for you, and if necessary a court, to act on it.
Why Choose Digitax for Forensic Accounting in Colchester?
Forensic accounting work depends on getting the evidence right and explaining it in plain terms, since a report that’s technically correct but impossible to follow doesn’t help a judge, a solicitor or a client make a decision. We work directly with the solicitor or client involved, keep findings confidential, and set out clearly at the start what a case will involve and cost before any work begins. We’re based in Colchester and take instructions from solicitors and businesses across Essex and further afield across the UK.
Need Financial Evidence You Can Rely On?
Whether you’re a solicitor instructing an expert witness, a business owner who suspects fraud, or dealing with a financial dispute in a divorce, get in touch for a confidential initial conversation.
FAQ About Forensic Accounting
What is forensic accounting?
Forensic accounting is the investigation and analysis of financial records for use in a legal, regulatory or dispute context, rather than for routine compliance. It combines accounting skill with the ability to trace money, reconstruct what happened, and present findings clearly enough to be used as evidence.
When would I need a forensic accountant?
Common situations include suspected fraud or theft within a business, a divorce where one party’s finances aren’t fully disclosed, a dispute between business partners or shareholders, a professional negligence claim, or an HMRC investigation into suspected inaccuracies. If money and a disagreement are both involved, it’s worth a conversation.
Can you help if I suspect an employee is stealing from my business?
Yes. We investigate the financial records to establish whether money has gone missing, how, and by how much, and put together findings that can support internal disciplinary action, a police report, or a civil claim to recover the loss.
Can forensic accounting help in a divorce?
Yes. In financially complex divorces, we review the Form E disclosure and underlying records to check whether a party’s declared income, assets or business interests are complete and accurately valued, which matters when a settlement depends on getting the full picture.
What's involved in a business or shareholding valuation for a dispute?
We value the business or shareholding using recognised, court-accepted methods, and explain the basis for that valuation clearly enough to withstand challenge from the other side. This comes up in divorce, shareholder disputes, and partnership disagreements alike.
Can you help with an HMRC tax investigation?
Yes. We support businesses and individuals through Code of Practice 8 investigations, where HMRC hasn’t alleged fraud but is checking a tax position, and Code of Practice 9 cases, where serious fraud is suspected and a Contractual Disclosure Facility is offered. We help prepare the disclosure and represent your position to HMRC.
What is a CPR Part 35 expert witness report?
CPR Part 35 governs how expert evidence is used in civil court proceedings in England and Wales. A compliant report sets out an expert’s independent opinion on the financial issues in a case, follows a specific format, and includes a statement confirming the expert’s duty is to the court rather than to whoever instructed them.
Can you act as a Single Joint Expert?
Yes. In many disputes, particularly smaller matrimonial and commercial cases, both parties instruct one independent expert rather than each bringing their own, which keeps costs down and speeds up the process. We can be instructed jointly where both sides agree.
How much does a forensic accounting report cost?
It depends heavily on the complexity of the case, how much investigation is needed, and whether the matter is heading to court. We’ll give you a clear estimate once we understand the scope, rather than an open-ended hourly arrangement with no visibility on the total.
How long does a forensic accounting investigation take?
Straightforward valuations can take a few weeks. Contested fraud investigations or cases with limited disclosure can take considerably longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe once we’ve seen what’s involved and what records are available.
Is forensic accounting work confidential?
Yes. Everything we’re instructed to review is treated in confidence, whether we’re working directly for a business or individual or instructed by a solicitor on their client’s behalf, and only shared as far as the case requires.
How do I instruct Digitax for an expert witness report?
Get in touch with the details of the case and what’s needed, and we’ll confirm whether it’s something we can take on, discuss timescales and cost, and set out our independence and any conflict checks before formally accepting instruction.
Helpful Resources
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Civil Procedure Rules Part 35
Official rules covering expert evidence, expert witnesses and Single Joint Experts in civil court proceedings. VIEW GUIDE
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HMRC Code of Practice 9
Official HMRC guidance explaining the investigation process when serious tax fraud is suspected. VIEW GUIDE
