Cendrowski Corporate Advisors (CCA) has been delivering trusted forensic accounting services in Chicago for decades. As a multidisciplinary advisory firm,we are not just another accounting firm. We’re the team attorneys call first when facing high-stakes financial disputes, the group private equity firms consult before major transactions, and the advisors family offices trust with confidential investigations. Our experience spans industries, jurisdictions, and billions in transactional value.
Here’s how CCA works—and why Chicago businesses continue to rely on CCA’s forensic expertise.
What Are Forensic Accounting Services?
Forensic accounting services involve the use of accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to analyze financial data and present findings in a clear, legally defensible format. These services are typically used in litigation, fraud investigations, shareholder disputes, or regulatory enforcement actions.
In simple terms? Forensic accountants look at the numbers and find the story behind them—especially when something doesn’t add up.
At CCA, our forensic accountants don’t stop at surface-level analysis. We examine transaction trails, control breakdowns, potential intentional misstatements, and patterns others might overlook.
Why Choose Forensic Accounting Services in Chicago?
Chicago is a major financial hub—and with that comes complexity. Businesses in the region operate in highly regulated industries, fast-paced private markets, and often under intense scrutiny. When financial disputes arise, precision matters.
Our Chicago team has handled:
- Internal investigations for publicly traded companies
- Economic damage calculations in multi-million-dollar disputes
- Fraud risk assessments for investment firms
- Bankruptcy and insolvency litigation support
Our independence, attention to detail, and courtroom-ready reporting make us a preferred partner across sectors.
Key Areas of Forensic Accounting Expertise
Financial Fraud Investigations
Whether it's embezzlement, vendor kickbacks, or accounting manipulation, CCA uncovers misconduct with precision. Our work often serves as the foundation for civil or criminal proceedings.
Litigation Support and Expert Witness Services
CCA’s forensic accountants in Chicago serve as both consultants and expert witnesses. We help build the financial aspects of a case—then clearly communicate findings to attorneys, judges, and juries.
Valuation Disputes
Partnership breakups. Marital dissolutions. Shareholder oppression claims. These situations often hinge on accurate, defensible valuations. CCA’s forensic approach ensures credibility in court.
Damages Calculations
In commercial litigation, accurately measuring economic harm is key. CCA builds comprehensive damages models based on facts, documentation, and established methodologies.
Bankruptcy and Insolvency Analysis
Our advisors assess solvency, investigate preferences and fraudulent conveyances, and support counsel throughout the Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 process.
What Sets CCA Apart?
Deep Expertise, Not Just Data
Some firms rely heavily on software or rigid checklists. CCA takes a different approach. We combine data analysis with seasoned judgment, drawing on decades of investigative experience.
Multidisciplinary Teams
CCA's forensic accounting teams include CPAs, MBAs, valuation professionals, fraud examiners, and litigation consultants. This depth allows them to address every angle—financial, operational, and legal.
Tailored Solutions, Not Templates
No two investigations are the same. CCA customizes each engagement based on the unique facts and stakeholders involved. Our reports are clear, concise, and built to withstand scrutiny.
Cendrowski Corporate Advisors' Approach to Forensic Accounting
Customized Forensic Analysis
At Cendrowski Corporate Advisors, we understand that each entity possesses a distinctive financial profile. To tailor our forensic analysis to our client's specific needs, we meticulously examine each of these unique characteristics.
Through our hands-on approach, we're able to delve deeply into the intricacies of financial data to ensure a comprehensive understanding of possible problems.
Financial and Legal Insight
With an intimate knowledge of Chicago's financial ecosystem, our experts are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of financial investigations. This understanding allows us to pinpoint irregularities efficiently.
We seamlessly integrate our financial expertise with a thorough understanding of Chicago's legal framework. This integration ensures that our forensic accounting services are not only accurate but also compliant.
In legal matters, time is of the essence. Our team ensures swift and efficient handling of forensic accounting for legal proceedings, providing timely support to clients involved in litigation.
Industries Served
While forensic accounting services in Chicago are used across all industries, CCA has deep experience in:
- Financial services and investment firms
- Healthcare systems and physician groups
- Manufacturing and distribution companies
- Family offices and privately held businesses
- Nonprofits and foundations
We understand the pressures—and risks—unique to each environment.
Specialized Forensic Accounting for Chicago
Accounting Forensics and Our Investigations
When irregularities are suspected, our team engages immediately in a detailed financial examination, leaving no stone unturned.
As part of our forensic accounting investigations, we present our clients with detailed reports outlining our findings and recommendations. We adhere rigorously to Chicago's market dynamics and legal requirements, ensuring our forensic accounting investigations conform to local professional standards.
Fraud Detection and Prevention
Our forensic analysis involves a comprehensive examination of financial transactions, identifying patterns indicative of fraud.
How We Can Help You Prevent Fraud
To prevent future irregularities, we implement robust financial controls based on our findings and recommendations. Our proactive approach extends to providing actionable recommendations for preventing future financial irregularities.
Litigation Support
In legal proceedings, our team conducts a thorough analysis of financial data, providing crucial support for litigation.
Our experts are prepared to act as expert witnesses in legal proceedings, sharing their insights and expertise to support the case. We ensure strict compliance with legal standards and regulations, delivering forensic accounting services that stand up to scrutiny.
When to Engage a Forensic Accountant in Chicago
Timing is everything. Early involvement can reduce costs, preserve evidence, and shape legal strategy. Consider reaching out when:
- You suspect internal fraud or theft
- A contract dispute involves financial misstatements
- Your company is facing regulatory scrutiny
- You're heading into litigation where money is at stake
- A business partner becomes uncooperative or untrustworthy
Contact Cendrowski Corporate Advisors for Tailored Forensic Accounting Solutions
If your organization is facing financial irregularities or requires expert forensic accountants in Chicago, contact our experts at Cendrowski Corporate Advisors. If you need professional advice tailored to your situation, we're ready to help.
Our expert guidance and thorough financial analysis ensure your organization will get the best forensic accounting services available. CCA offers confidential consultations and we work in tandem with your legal counsel. Contact us today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are forensic accounting services?
Forensic accounting services involve investigating, analyzing, and interpreting financial data to uncover fraud, misconduct, or economic damages etc, for use in legal proceedings.
How do forensic accountants in Chicago support legal cases?
Forensic accountants in Chicago support legal cases by preparing detailed financial analyses, offering expert witness testimony, and helping attorneys understand the financial side of complex disputes.
When should I hire a forensic accountant?
You should hire a forensic accountant as soon as you suspect financial irregularities, fraud, or face litigation that involves disputed financial information. Early engagement helps preserve evidence and improve case outcomes.
Are forensic accountants different from traditional accountants?
Yes. Forensic accountants focus on investigations, litigation support, and fraud detection, whereas traditional accountants focus on compliance, financial reporting, and tax filings.
What does a forensic accountant look for in fraud investigations?
A forensic accountant looks for inconsistencies in records, unauthorized transactions, altered documents, unusual spending patterns, and internal control weaknesses that suggest potential fraud.
If you need answers—and need them to hold up in court—you want the team that’s built their reputation on clarity, credibility, and results.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Advisory Services Client Success: A Complex Forensic Investigation
Cendrowski Corporate Advisors was engaged by an investor client to calculate the claim amount for investments he had made in three separate franchises. The investor had signed three promissory notes to the franchises as loans due to his company. Based on the agreements, the franchise entities were expected to send in monthly payments to the client to pay off the loan balance. Our client advised us that he hadn’t received the monthly payments and needed to calculate the amount owed to his company from the three franchise loans.
Our team reviewed the promissory notes for the agreement and created amortization schedules for each loan based on the parameters listed. We were provided brokerage account statements and forensically analyzed the investment amounts and the loan payments, tracing deposits to the corresponding franchise loan. These deposit payments were applied against accrued interest and principal to calculate the note balance. Through our calculations, we advised the client of the balance due on each of the loans as of the date of the bankruptcy. Our analysis and claim amount calculations were included in the bankruptcy petition filing.
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