LEADING mid-tier accountancy firm, French Duncan, has launched a forensic accounting department to provide litigation support to lawyers throughout Scotland.
Heading up the new department is well-known partner, Jeff Meek, who, in addition to his many accountancy qualifications, has recently graduated with a law degree.
A member of the Society for Expert Witnesses, Meek has acted on numerous accounting and commercial matters at the Court of Session and Sheriff Courts for a variety of cases, including audit negligence, fraud, proceeds of crime and criminal investigations, business valuations and divorce and commercial disputes.
“Our forensic accounting department has been established in response to a growing demand for litigation support throughout the Central Belt,” he said.
“It has become evident over recent months that there is a demand for a forensic accounting service from a department able to bring the requisite commercial experience and financial expertise to bear on a range of legal cases.
“Litigation support deploys the full range of skills that I can offer as an accountant and auditor with many years commercial experience as a partner overseeing various fundraising initiatives, management buyouts and with extensive dot.com experience.
“And as it’s me who stands before the sheriff or judge in court to answer questions concerning financial matters in legal cases, I am directly involved in the delivery of all forensic work undertaken by the department.”
In addition to its offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, French Duncan’s branch network extends to Falkirk, Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Hamilton, Dundee and Stewarton and Meek anticipates that much of the demand for the firm’s forensic accounting services will come from the more regional locations where local legal practices are less likely to find local accountancy firms with the requisite skills to provide expert litigation support.
Nor are local accountants likely to be in a position to call upon forensic accountancy advice from a Big Four firm due to the potentially significant fees involved.
Graeme Finnie, managing partner at French Duncan, said: “Following our introduction last month of a specialist VAT department, the launch of our forensic accounting department marks the latest stage in our progress towards achieving recognition as Scotland’s premier independent accountancy practice.
“Jeff brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role that enables French Duncan to offer a level of litigation support unrivalled by any other independent practice and more economically and efficiently than many of our larger competitors.
“Clients of our forensic accounting department can expect to receive a more personal service with direct partner involvement than they might receive from a larger accountancy firm.”
Jeff Meek became a partner at French Duncan in 2008, following its merger with respected Edinburgh-based practice McCabes, which he co-founded in 1992.
In addition to heading French Duncan’s new forensic department, he continues to act for a wide range of clients throughout the UK with a particular focus on the creative and technology sectors, including the video games industry.
ENDS
For further information please contact Jeff Meek on tel 0131 225 6366
Issued on behalf of French Duncan by Liquorice Media tel 0141 561 4018 www.liquorice-media.com
Date 17th May 2012.
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