FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT AND EXPERT WITNESS ACCREDITATION

A BENCHMARK FOR THE PROFESSION

ABOUT THE ACCREDITATION

A benchmark for the profession

The Forensic Accountant and Expert Witness Accreditation has been designed as the benchmark for aspiring and experienced forensic accountants, and those who act as an expert witness (in accountancy). It has been developed by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to meet instructing clients and lawyers need for a specialist online register that is an independent and reliable source of specialist forensic accountants with recent and relevant experience. The ICAEW accreditation register allows accredited individuals to be recognised as the highest quality specialists in their eld. It helps instil condence in clients and instructing lawyers that they have access to the very best advisers. It sets the standard for excellence and commitment a benchmark for the profession.

Recognition by a leading independent body

Accreditation is not restricted to ICAEW members it is also open to qualied accountants of other professional bodies. Successful accreditation is based on experience and quality rather than allegiance to a specic membership body. This means that those who are successfully accredited are on a highly visible specialist register that is provided by a leading internationally recognised independent body.

As the world of commerce becomes increasingly complex the need to nd the expert with true subject matter expertise becomes increasingly important, so I am sure the ICAEWs initiative will be welcomed across the litigation community. Having a trusted sounding board against which to test the suitability of individuals will be invaluable.
Tim Hardy, Partner, Head of Commercial Litigation, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP

Proven skills
To become an ICAEW accredited forensic accountant you will need to prove your expertise in forensic techniques, commercial understanding, managerial and communication skills as well as an understanding of the relevant ethical, legal and regulatory issues. Additionally, to become an ICAEW accredited expert witness (in accountancy) you must also demonstrate your understanding of, and competence in, the role of an expert for example; drafting of reports, meetings with experts and attending Court to give expert evidence.

An examination, but in your own time

You do not need to take any classes or formal exams in exam halls. You do, however, need to complete an Examination of Experience to demonstrate your knowledge and practical experience. You can complete this in your own time allowing you to t it in with your business needs and work schedules.

IN BRIEF

Benchmark for the profession. Specialist accreditation. For aspiring and qualied forensic accountants and expert witnesses. Prominent and publicly available register. Examination of Experience. Suggested minimum of ve years experience. Delivered by an Independent body. Unique.

BENEFITS OF THE ICAEW ACCREDITATION

Why is it unique?
The scheme is specically designed for forensic accountants and expert witnesses (in accountancy) irrespective of whether you are an ICAEW member or not. This is not a general accreditation scheme for all professions. Rather than a course or qualication, successful accreditation is gained through an assessment that is based on evidence of your experience and expertise, and can be completed in your own time. It is the only accreditation register underpinned by the ICAEWs reputation, robust technical rigour and quality assurance processes as well as professional sector expertise. The resulting ICAEW accreditation register therefore offers a dedicated, trusted and independent resource where clients and instructing lawyers can access relevant specialists to meet their needs.

Demonstrates your expertise

Channel to show your accreditation through a prominent and accessible register provides credibility and tangible proof of your specialist skills, commitment and experience both inside and outside the Courtroom. Positions you as a specialist and raises your prole within the profession increases your visibility to existing and potential clients. Association with the ICAEW: a world leader in the nance and accountancy profession helps to provide you with a competitive advantage. Raises the forensic and expert witness prole of your team and organisation serves as a team goal and a point of differential advantage for organisations where whole teams have demonstrated their experience and commitment. Personal development as part of your career structure, it helps to enhance your career opportunities, increase your contacts within the eld and helps you establish a robust reputation. Unique networking opportunities (events, seminars) with fellow professionals and full support from the ICAEWs Forensic Special Interest Group helps keep you ahead of your peers.

Assurance for clients, instructing lawyers and Court

Access to highly-qualied, reputable, specialist advisers sets the benchmark for experience, quality and professionalism. Recognised, independent register helps maintain the credibility of those who appear. Rigorous assessment by the ICAEW gives assurance and condence that the people on the register are professionally validated as specialists in their eld. It also ensures that a high standard of competence as a forensic accountant or expert witness has been met. The schemes CPD requirements, yearly renewal and disciplinary dimension discourages the inexperienced and provides effective sanction helps to guarantee that the register is always up to date and only contains the names of credible individuals with relevant and recent experience. This helps provide an online register of value to clients.

SUPPORT FROM THE ICAEW

As an accredited professional, you will also gain access to a wealth of support, products and services from the ICAEW and its Forensic Special Interest Group to help keep you at the forefront of the profession and in prime position for your career. The support of the Forensic Special Interest Group also gives you the unique opportunity to network with a wide group of similarly dedicated and highly-experienced professionals. It allows you to share ideas, increase your knowledge and further develop your business and social contacts.

THE EXAMINATION OF EXPERIENCE

Examination of Experience
To complete the Examination of Experience you will need to reect on your experience and achievements over the past ve years. You must answer a series of questions with specic examples that clearly demonstrate your relevant professional skills and experience. Expert witnesses (in accountancy) must also provide clear examples to demonstrate their experience in Court, expert reports and expert meetings.

Professional validation
To ensure the highest standards of excellence and integrity of the scheme, all applications will need to be endorsed by a professional reference. Your submission will be assessed and validated through a formal process of evaluation and marked by experienced examiners and forensic specialists.

Ongoing commitment
For the online register to remain a reliable and highly-valued source for clients and instructing lawyers needing experienced professionals, you will need to comply with the schemes CPD requirements which include a yearly CPD declaration. This helps guarantee the rigour of the register and in turn demonstrates that you are a professional with the highest levels of excellence and commitment.

Entry requirements for the Examination of Experience

Accreditation is open to current qualied members of the ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, CICA (Canada), ICAA (Australia), ICANZ (New Zealand), SAICA (South Africa), ICAZ (Zimbabwe), ICAI (India), ICAP (Pakistan), MICPA (Malaysia), CICPA (China) and HKICPA (Hong Kong). You should supply a letter of good standing from your existing professional body and you must have gained membership of your professional body through the normal examination and training route (rather than through any mutual recognition, reciprocity agreements etc).

NEXT STEPS

How to apply
To become an ICAEW accredited forensic accountant
To apply to become an ICAEW accredited forensic accountant, you will need to complete questions 18 of the Examination of Experience, include a current curriculum vitae/career resum and include a professional reference with your application.

For all information please visit our website at www.icaew.com/forensicaccreditation You can also contact us on +44 (0)1908 248 040 or email forensicaccreditation@icaew.com

To become an ICAEW accredited expert witness (in accountancy)

To apply to become an ICAEW accredited expert witness (in accountancy) you will need to send us all of the above as well as a recent representative expert witness report from a case (in the UK within the last three years). You will also need to complete two further questions as part of the Examination of Experience and provide a reference from an instructing client. You can nd more information online including the full eligibility criteria and how to apply at www.icaew.com/forensicaccreditation or in the application pack.

The ICAEW Forensic Accountant and Expert Witness Accreditation is a welcome development in the sector. The scheme ensures that appropriately qualied professionals are acknowledged for their expertise through the successful completion of the Examination of Experience. Ultimately, it sets a benchmark within the sector to which existing and future experts may aspire.
Rodger J Pannone, Consultant, Pannone LLP

About the Forensic Special Interest Group (FSIG)

Being part of the Forensic Special Interest Group allows you to stay at the forefront of your eld and provides the following benets:

network with fellow professionals subscriber only access to our e-library with its tailor-made sector-specic information including online journals, articles, market research reports and useful links discounted rates at our events, seminars and training programmes technical support including emailing your technical queries to our panel of experts.

keep up to date with our helpsheets and quarterly newsletters containing vital sector news, legal updates, technical advice and industry comments specialist conferences which provide insights into the latest developments, legislation changes and best practice helping to contribute to your CPD requirements

www.icaew.com/forensic

Other specialist qualications and development programmes offered by the ICAEW

ACA the qualication for business leaders worldwide. Business Sustainability Programme an informative and practical e-learning tool. Certicate in Finance, Accounting and Business provides essential knowledge for todays business environment. CF the internationally recognised Corporate Finance qualication. Diploma in Charity Accounting the specialist qualication for the charity sector in partnership with Cass Business School. IFRS certicated online learning and assessment programme for international nancial reporting. Pathways to Membership the Examination of Experience route to ICAEW membership for ACCA, CIMA and CIPFA qualied members. Undergraduate Partnership Programme collaboration between the ICAEW and three of the most prestigious UK universities Cardiff Business School, Manchester Business School and Warwick Business School. Integrates academic and professional study, leading to the ACA. For more information on the suite of qualications and development programmes from the ICAEW, visit www.icaew.com/learning or call: UK EU Hong Kong Malaysia China Russia Singapore T +44 (0)1908 248 040 T +32 (0)2 230 3272 T +852 2287 7277 T +6 (03)2171 6022 T +86 10 8518 8622 T +44 (0)20 7920 8782 T +65 6407 1554

As a world-class professional accountancy body, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) provides leadership and practical support to over 132,000 members in more than 160 countries, working with governments, regulators and industry to maintain the highest standards. Our members provide nancial knowledge and guidance based on the highest technical and ethical standards. They are trained to challenge people and organisations to think and act differently, to provide clarity and rigour, and so help create and sustain prosperity. The ICAEW ensures these skills are constantly developed, recognised and valued. Because of us, people can do business with condence. The ICAEW is a founder member of the Global Accounting Alliance, which represents around 775,000 of the worlds leading professional accountants in over 165 countries around the globe, to promote quality services, share information and collaborate on important international issues.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Chartered Accountants Hall One Moorgate Place London EC2R 6EA UK
T +44 (0)1908 248 040 E forensicaccreditation@icaew.com

www.icaew.com
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