AHO
+ ASSOCIATES
forensic accountants
PO Box 2016
Sonoma, CA 95476
ph: 877-257-0258
Services
Our services include:
- Reconstruction of financial records
- Reconciliation of accounts
- Document searches and research
- Obtaining lost or missing information
- Year-end and other time sensitive work
- Court accountings
- Non-profit fraud risk assessment
- Internal control creation and implementation for fraud prevention
- Financial Vulnerability Evaluation
Elder Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse, whether committed by friends, family, or by caregivers, can be devastating to the victim and it can happen in many ways: an illegal conveyance of a home or other real estate, an amendment to a trust giving power of attorney to the defrauder, an assertion of undue influence in the writing of a will and consequent enrichment of an executor or beneficiary.Financial reconstruction
We help small businesses recover after years of poor recordkeeping or financial mismanagement. We can assist with IRS communications and restoring accurate financial reports for tax preparation, loan compliance or board reports.Nonprofit Fraud
Your passion is your good work.
Our passion is ensuring your good work continues.
Aho +Associates provides fraud risk assessments to nonprofit organizations. Our assessment is designed specifically to evaluate the risk of fraud within nonprofit organizational and financial structures, examine existing anti-fraud programs, and identify vulnerabilities so that you have the opportunity to fix potential problems early.
Our assessment begins by examining your existing anti-fraud program and includes discussions with key personnel, examining pertinent documents, and evaluating internal financial controls. After we assess your vulnerability to fraud, we compile and present our findings to you--or your Board--that existing deficiencies and suggest strategies that bolster your anti-fraud protection and protect your good name.
Internal controls
TRUST is not an internal control.
We work with your and your organization to create a usable set of internal controls. We work with your staff to obtain workable separation of duties to enable fraud prevention. We work with churches, schools and other non-profit and charitable organizations to help you keep your hard earned funds at work.
Trust fraud
As forensic accountants, we understand that fiduciary accountings and account documentation may only be the tip of the iceberg. Shadow accounts, mischaracterized transactions, cash transactions and patterns of small transactions often lie beneath the surface of seemingly proper accountings by fiduciaries intent on concealing malfeasance. Fiduciaries may also hide their actions by purposely maintaining incomplete records or by complicating account activities so that the resulting confusion and complexity will discourage others from delving too deeply.Conservator misconduct
In California, the elderly and those requiring special care are often placed under the protection of a court ordered financial conservator. While the purpose of a conservatorship is to prevent the conservatee from being victimized by outsiders, caregivers, and unscrupulous family members, the sad reality is that the conservator—the very individual charged with looking out for the conservatee—can become the predator who misappropriates the conservatee's assets. Fiduciary misconduct by conservators includes theft from bank accounts, stealing or simply selling the personal possessions of their wards, sales transactions between the conservator and ward that do not reflect fair market values, and diverting monthly retirement or disability income.Probate fraud
Probate fraud by executors is increasing. In most situations, real estate is an estate's single largest asset. Not surprisingly, the conveyance of a house or a delay in the sale of a property can result in an accusation of mismanagement against the executor. Other potential problems involve inadequate cataloging of assets and debts, disposition of personal or real property at below market rates, or misappropriation of assets or proceeds.We can help
Many records can be analyzed using software and appropriate accounting techniques. Other times, a complete picture can only be obtained by doing a bit of good old fashioned detective work—sitting in musty storerooms and sifting through stacks of archive boxes, pounding the telephone and calling brokers and custodial agents, contacting vendors, or reconstructing accounts from scratch. At Aho + Associates, we can recreate the sequence of events—which may go back many years—leading to the fraud, uncover the true extent of the loss, and thereby help develop a strong and persuasive case in court to recover what was lost.
Knowledge + experience
Aho + Associates is committed to providing services competently and professionally. Our principals and associates include CPAs, auditors, attorneys, financial conservators, Certified Fraud Examiners, QuickBooks experts, and experienced bookkeepers.
+ We know how to go beyond and around imperfect client records to obtain complete and meaningful information.
+ We stay in close contact with everyone involved to ensure a consistent focus on key issues.
+ We approach every engagement with the utmost confidentiality.
+ We can assist you on short-term, long-term, and recurring projects.
+ We pride ourselves on being thorough and timely.
PO Box 2016
Sonoma, CA 95476
ph: 877-257-0258
