www.ValuationStLouis.com (314) 541-8163 Fraud Expert St. Louis When Do I Need a Forensic Accountant? Small business owners who suspect fraud should seek an expert for a fraud investigation to verify losses. Hi, my name is Melissa Gragg, I am a valuation expert and certified fraud examiner at Bridge Valuation Partners in St. Louis, MO. Small business owners always have questions about fraud issues: one of the main questions is "if I suspect fraud in my company -- do I need a forensic accountant? How do I find a fraud expert?" Most business owners don't know where to begin when looking for an expert to help them with the business losses resulting from employee theft. First I would discuss this situation with your accountants, attorneys and advisors. They may know some fraud experts in your area and can direct you to the right people. There are times when your insurance may cover the costs of an expert to quantify the losses. Second -- not all fraud investigations are conducted by forensic accountants per se. This is just a widely used term. Many fraud experts have a background in finance or accounting but will usually become accredited in forensic investigations by a 3rd party organization such as the ACFE or the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The certification process involves higher education requirements as well as experience, completing an exam process and high moral standing. Check out resources such as www.acfe.com to find a fraud expert in your area. If ...