Canadian law enforcement and regulatory organizations face considerable challenges in today’s society. I know this firsthand because I’ve recently retired from 26 years at the OPP, where I held several senior positions. The Canadian public’s expectation for law and order is well documented. So too is the concern, through virtually every sector of our society, [...]
When Competitors Work Together
I recently worked as an affiliate for a competitor on a complex international file. One thing that especially impressed me was the ease at which both firms collaborated. I find this to be the norm rather than the exception in the world of investigative and forensic accounting. If there’s a job to do, and it [...]
When do you hire?
It’s a tricky question I imagine many, if not all, professional firms have to face: when is the right time to hire more professional staff? Do you add to your staff before the work comes in? There are many advantages to doing so. Your new hire(s) will likely be more up-to-speed when the new files [...]
New Fraud Provisions Good But Not Enough
In May federal legislators passed Bill C-21 in Parliament, which received Royal Assent just before the federal election. In essence the bill was enacted in response to the soft stance the courts have taken over the years with respect to sentencing regarding fraud and white-collar crime. While I consider the new provisions to be a [...]
LECG On the Ropes
In the spring of 2009 Froese Forensic Partners Ltd. purchased the Canadian assets of LECG, an international expert services company. LECG is now in the process of blowing itself up, facing a cash crisis in trying to fund debt coming due at the end of March. LECG is selling off its most valuable assets and is [...]
In Memory of a Fallen Hero
Today I witnessed more than 10,000 strong come together in solidarity to remember the life of Sgt. Ryan Russell. The streets of Toronto were saturated with law enforcement officers and emergency service personnel from all across North America, marching in perfect cadence, all with a common purpose. They piled into the Toronto Convention Centre, filling [...]
Family Law Troubles
One of the difficulties in family law is actually collecting on judgments or support payments when a spouse fails to make required payments. In Ontario, the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is most effective at collecting from an employed person by garnishing his wages. When someone is self-employed (or employed through another family-owned business), however, it [...]
The High Cost of Conflict
It’s usually interesting to read a story for which you have a personal connection. Especially one that not only makes your blood boil but also makes you think about parallel situations in your work as a forensic accountant. The story in this case was in today’s Globe and Mail. It told of 92-year-old Craig Morrison’s [...]
The Forensic Accounting Marathon
Working some files can be a lot like running a marathon. That thought was bouncing through my mind as I took part in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon recently. To be exact, I did a half-marathon and came close to my goal of two hours, missing it by only three minutes. Our office has been [...]
One Wedding and a Funeral
My oldest daughter Ainslie is getting married today. My family is incredibly happy for her and we all hope she and her husband Reg have a healthy and joyous life together. A marriage, needless to say, is a time to celebrate the present and look ahead to the future with great expectations. In drafting my [...]
