FORENSIC ACCOUNTING &
EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES

We're a firm of Chartered Accountants with a 125-year history of service to our customers locally, nationally and internationally.

We help our customers in four key ways:

Freedom from financial responsibility.
Control over your business and personal life by enabling you to make the choices you want.
More time to spend on the things that matter to you.
More money by reducing your tax burden and increasing your business growth.

Our forensic accounting department helps both legal representatives and clients by giving you solid, clear, objective and independent advice in language everyone can understand.

The department is headed up by one of our Senior Partners, Richard Stonier and covers all aspects of financial investigation and financial crime including a business valuation specialism. Areas covered include:

Business valuations
Tax reports and remuneration assessments
Loss of profit claims
Forensic data analysis
Financial crime and fraud

Richard is a member of The Academy of Experts and acts as an expert witness on a single joint or party-appointed basis or as a shadow expert. All of our analysis and reports are written in a clear, well-structured court-approved format unique to us.

When you employ us you get a highly professional, experienced team who work to your timescales and can make court appearances as expert witnesses. We even provide technical back-up and support to ensure you are fully supported and briefed prior to court-day.

We are a member of NIFA (Network of Independent Forensic Accountants), whose membership consists of independent accountancy practices throughout the UK who specialise in forensic accountancy, and are able to provide a cost effective alternative to the national firms of accountants. Membership of NIFA provides safeguards to instructing parties because it sets quality standards and monitors them by an annual review of each firm's working files.

OUR TEAM

Deans Forensics with Layers (clear backg

Richard Stonier

BSc (Econ) FCA ATT (Fellow) MAE

Partner

Tel: 01785 258311

Mobile: 07885 686214

I head up the Deans Forensic department and I have been preparing business valuations and forensic and taxation reports for various purposes for over ten years including acting as an expert witness in matrimonial cases, trading standards cases and shareholder dispute cases. I take on engagements as either a single joint expert, a party appointed expert or a shadow expert as required.

I have given evidence in court on a number of cases and although based in the Midlands have acted on cases around the UK. I have acted for clients across all sectors and industries including retail, manufacturing, service sector, property, professional firms, construction, agriculture, leisure, hospitality and tourism and transport to name a few.

A background in audit, accountancy, tax and business advice to individuals, partnerships and corporate businesses has given me a good grounding for forensic work. An eye for detail but with a pragmatic approach. I am conversant in UK tax law as well as UK and International accounting standards.

Outside of work I am a keen nature and landscape photographer with a speciality in wild bird photos. My website www.birdsonline.co.uk showcases my pictures. As you can see this keeps me busy in my spare time!

Download Richard's CV

Rachael Smith

BA (Hons) FCA

Senior Manager

Tel: 01785 258311

Deans_DefiningObjects_RachS-7438 (Person

I entered the world of accountancy back in 2003 and have subsequently qualified as a Chartered Accountant. I have worked in practice ever since, working on limited companies involved in both the preparation of accounts and audit work. I manage a portfolio of clients of various sizes. I take an active role in assisting my clients to improve their accountancy systems and controls. This gives me the knowledge to identify weaknesses in the client’s systems and identify suspected fraudulent transactions. I also specialise in complex group structures and arrangements. I have a thorough approach to all of my work and will persevere to get the answer or resolution to any issue.

When I am not at work I love to exercise, I am a regular runner and visitor to the gym having run several half marathons and participated in a number of charity obstacle courses locally. In addition, I enjoy cycling and am a member of the local ladies cricket club.

Sam King

ACA

Assistant

Tel: 01785 238170

After graduating in 2018 from De Montfort University First Class in Accounting and Finance I began working at Deans and am now qualified as a chartered accountant. I have worked on a range of clients from sole traders to large companies with accounts and audit work. I am driven in my work with a thorough approach to accounting analysis.

Away from work I am a keen cricket watcher and player and enjoy reading and gardening.

Olivia Broadhurst

ACA

Assistant

Tel: 01785 238185

I started with Deans in 2017 straight from school and recently qualified as a chartered accountant. I deal mainly with limited company, partnership and sole trader year end accounts and audit work.

I have a very thorough analytical approach to data and financial analysis.

Outside of work I enjoy countryside walking and gardening.