Forensic Accounting Insights & Resources
Explore the world of forensic accounting through clear, timely, and easy-to-understand articles. From uncovering financial fraud to explaining complex investigations, this site provides resources designed to inform and build trust in the field of forensic accounting.
Explore the blog
Forensic Accounting Articles
Detect-a-Fraud: Trust, But Verify Your Accountant
March 17, 2026
An accountant in Utah was recently sentenced after fraudulently obtaining more than $221,000 in Paycheck Protection Program funds. Let that sink in. Over two hundred thousand dollars. This was not a clerical mistake. This was not “rounding up.” This was intentional fraud tied to government relief funds that were meant to help businesses survive. Here
read the article
Shift Left on Fraud: Stop Fraud Before It Happens
March 12, 2026
Why waiting until the payment is signed leaves you blind, tired, and losing money Let’s get real about fraud. Most teams wait until a payment looks suspicious to raise the alarm. They look at the money move and ask Was this transaction bad? But here’s the truth. That moment is the end of the fraud
read the article
Don’t Be the One They Whistle On
March 10, 2026
The Department of the Treasury just made it easier for people to report financial misconduct. They launched a dedicated whistleblower webpage where individuals can submit tips about fraud, money laundering, sanctions violations, and other financial crimes. In certain cases, those whistleblowers can receive financial rewards if their tip leads to enforcement action. Let that sink
read the article
68 Felonies and One Trusted Accountant: What Went Wrong and How to Make Sure Your Real Vendors Get Paid
March 5, 2026
A former accountant is now facing 68 felony charges tied to financial misconduct. Think about that number for a second. Sixty-eight. That is not one mistake. That is not a simple bookkeeping error. That is a breakdown of oversight, internal controls, and trust. Most business owners read stories like this and think, “That would never
read the article
The Case of the Fake Customer: Why Passwords Are Fueling Fraudulent Orders
March 3, 2026
Let’s talk about something most business owners don’t see coming. You get an order.It looks legitimate.The customer has an account.The login checks out.Payment processes. Then a chargeback hits. The real customer says, “That wasn’t me.” Now you’re out the product, the revenue, the shipping, the fees, and possibly your reputation. Here’s the hard truth. In
read the article
When the CFO Is the Fraudster: What Every Business Owner Needs to Learn from the Zadeh Kicks Case
February 26, 2026
Here is the uncomfortable truth.Fraud does not always come from a random hacker in another country. Sometimes it comes from inside the building. Sometimes it comes from the CFO. In the recent Zadeh Kicks case, a CFO received prison time for bank fraud conspiracy tied to an online sneaker resale business. The company took millions
read the article
Indicted at the Top: What Every Business Owner Can Learn from the First Brands Case
February 24, 2026
When you see headlines about a company founder being indicted by federal prosecutors, it is easy to think, “That has nothing to do with me.” Big company. Big money. Big problems. But here is the uncomfortable truth. Fraud at the top rarely starts big. It starts with pressure. It grows with rationalization. And it survives
read the article
When Your Bookkeeper Becomes the Risk: What a Recent Federal Embezzlement Case Teaches Business Owners
February 19, 2026
A North Carolina bookkeeper was recently sentenced to 57 months in federal prison after stealing nearly one million dollars from three small businesses. She handled payroll, bill pay, and taxes. She also created fake vendors and unauthorized wire transfers to hide the theft. By the time it was uncovered, the damage was done. Prison time
read the article
Check Fraud Is Back in the Spotlight and It’s Hitting Businesses Hard
February 17, 2026
Check fraud is no longer a “rare event.” Criminals are targeting mailed checks by stealing them from mailboxes, altering them or creating counterfeit versions, and turning them into real cash before anyone notices. This isn’t small-time theft anymore. Recent reporting shows this trend is accelerating and costing victims billions of dollars a year. The Case
read the article
The Money Was “Paid” but It Never Hit the Bank
February 12, 2026
Why Every Business Must Verify Deposits, Not Just Trust Receipts A recent case out of Michigan is a hard reminder of a simple truth most businesses overlook. A sales manager pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing nearly $900,000 from his employer. Customers paid their bills. Receipts were issued. Everything looked normal. The problem?The money
read the article
“I follow the money, interpret the evidence, and explain it in plain language. That’s how fraud gets found and trust gets rebuilt.”
who is brandy derrick?
Practical articles and financial investigations explained by Brandy Derrick.
Brandy Derrick has over six years of experience in financial investigations, with a proven track record of supporting more than 30 investigations through detailed financial analysis. She has authored 50+ articles and case notes, making complex accounting concepts easy to understand for professionals and the public alike.
Contact Brandy
stay informed
Subscribe to Brandy’s Newsletter
Get the latest forensic accounting articles, fraud insights, and investigation resources delivered straight to your inbox. Stay ahead with clear, timely updates you can trust.
