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, or asset tracing, 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 accountants play a crucial role in divorce litigation, particularly in cases involving high assets or high net worth. Arizona is a community property state, meaning that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned by both spouses and are subject to division upon divorce. A forensic accountant's expertise in uncovering financial fraud and tracing assets is invaluable in ensuring an equitable division of marital property. They are skilled in examining a wide range of financial documents and assets, from tax returns and bank accounts to investments and luxury items. Their work helps to reveal any hidden assets or financial manipulation that could affect the division of property, as well as the determination of spousal and child support. By 'following the money,' forensic accountants assist the court in obtaining an accurate picture of the couple's finances, which is essential for a fair resolution in divorce proceedings. Attorneys often engage forensic accountants to provide expert analysis and testimony to support their client's case regarding the true extent of the marital estate and proper income calculations for support purposes.