A forensic accountant is generally an accountant with expertise in detecting financial fraud or manipulation in personal and business tax returns, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, broker accounts, offshore accounts, cash, cryptocurrency, jewels, art, cars, yachts, airplanes, real estate, life insurance policies, and related financial documents. This financial investigation work is often referred to as tracing, financial tracing, asset tracing, or forensic accounting, and generally involves “following the money” by tracing a piece of financial information or data back to its source.

In divorce litigation—and especially in high-asset or high-net-worth divorces in which there is significant marital or community property—any financial manipulation or fraud of personal or business finances may have a significant effect on the marital or community property that is available for division, and on spousal support and child support payment amounts. One or both spouses in a divorce may hire a forensic accountant to discover any hidden assets or manipulated financial documents that may prevent the court from having an accurate accounting of the marital or community property assets and the spouses’ incomes.

In Arizona, forensic accounting is a critical tool in divorce litigation, particularly in cases involving high-net-worth individuals or substantial marital assets. Arizona is a community property state, meaning that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned and must be divided equitably upon divorce. A forensic accountant's role is to conduct a thorough investigation of both parties' finances to ensure a fair division of assets and proper determination of spousal and child support. This includes identifying any hidden assets, uncovering financial fraud, and tracing funds to their source to provide an accurate representation of each spouse's financial situation. The findings of a forensic accountant can significantly influence the outcome of property division and support determinations in an Arizona divorce court. It is important for individuals going through a divorce to consult with an attorney who may advise on the potential need for forensic accounting services to protect their financial interests.