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 Maine, forensic accounting is a specialized field where accountants use their expertise to uncover financial fraud and manipulation, particularly in the context of divorce litigation. Maine's legal framework for divorce, like in many states, requires an equitable division of marital property, which necessitates an accurate assessment of the couple's assets and income. Forensic accountants play a critical role in high-asset or high-net-worth divorces by conducting financial investigations, often referred to as tracing or asset tracing, to ensure that all assets are properly disclosed and valued. This process involves analyzing various financial documents and transactions to 'follow the money' and identify any hidden assets or discrepancies in reported finances. The findings of a forensic accountant can significantly impact the division of property, as well as spousal and child support determinations, by providing the court with a clear picture of the couple's financial situation. In Maine, as in other jurisdictions, the use of forensic accountants in divorce proceedings is a recognized practice that helps to promote fairness and transparency in the division of marital assets.