Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Fedde.
Hi Carl, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started my career as a CPA, as an auditor, auditing banks, education institutions, and city governments. One day, a Judge, longtime friend, asked for my assistance in determining the loss profits in a contract dispute. I presented my opinion and the Judge asked that I testify to my findings in court. That was the start of my career as a forensic CPA providing litigation support to attorneys seeking financial answers to legal claims by their clients. I took advanced training in business valuations, fraud, and embezzlement, and forensic examinations earning certifications as a Certified Business Valuator (CVA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified in Financial Forensic (CFF). I provide forensic services to Family Law Court (divorce), Probate Court (trust and probate estates), criminal courts (white collar crimes), and Commerical Courts (financial matters over contract disputes, business divorces, fraud, and embezzlement). As a CPA I must be independent (not know the parties in the legal matter), unbiased, and be able to render an opinion that is supported by industry standards and principles. My opinion must be based on the facts and not upon whom I have been retained by. Being retained does not mean you will testify in court. Over 99% of divorce cases settle. In a criminal case there may be a plea agreement. In commercial court, the parties may agree to a settlement and not go to court.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles as a forensic CPA is keeping up with all of the new developments and industry trends. Another struggle is going through reaps and reaps of data trying to determine what really happen. Data discovery has exploded with the use of computers and the internet. A case could have a million pages of documents that need to be reviewed.
Each legal matter is different and requires different approaches and examinations parameters. There are no handbooks available to tell you how to find theft, fraud, dishonesty, and other wrongs. Each case requires condensing down the data into an easy-to-understand conclusion for a Judge and jury. Trying to find what went wrong when and where is not always readily available.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a forensic CPA, I start out with a blank canvass. From my examination of the data, I must create a picture of what happen. How did this scheme get started. Where did the money go, who took the money. how many people were involved and lastly how big was the loss. Like an artist, I start out with small pieces of data looking for a pattern that will provide a road map of the chain of events that occurred. That road map will enable me to complete my canvas painting.
I am most proud when my work provides justice to the aggrieved party. I am most proud when I find how the scheme happen and being able to support the loss.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
I am not a risk taker. As a CPA the numbers must support my conclusion. My world is pretty much black and white. The numbers are the numbers. There may be a risk that I do not find where a loss started but I have been pretty successful following the money when I dig deep enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.focusonforensic.com
- Youtube: @CarlFedde2019
