Forensic & Litigation Conference Welcomes Students

For the first time, a PICPA conference committee offered scholarships to students with an interest in forensic accounting to attend the Forensic and Litigation Services Conference.  The scholarship program was headed by four committee members, Robert Caster (Conference Chairperson), Charles Elliott, Charles Kern, and Charles Lunden.  Students represented six universities in Pennsylvania, including Duquesne, LaSalle, Lehigh, Penn State, Temple, and West Chester.  These students were rewarded for the academic excellence by being given the opportunity to identify with and network among CPAs in the forensic and litigation field. 

Charles Kern and Thomas French opened the day’s event by offering preparation techniques of the expert witness.  The session focused on suggesting theories, providing guidance for direct examination of friendly witness and cross examination of adverse witnesses, etc.  They even included a few movie clips like “My Cousin Vinny” to open the floor to a few laughs.  The definition of spoliation was identified by David Glusman, William Pelosi, and Gary Samms before lunch.  Their interactive session provided insight to spoliation’s effect on the accounting profession, previously unrecognized by many, and provided answers to members raising their hands. 

The afternoon sessions were divided between basic and advanced sessions.  Charles Elliott delivered a well-received session on Occupational Fraud and Embezzlement, followed by Harris Devor’s intriguing session pertaining to well-known financial fraud cases such as Enron and WorldCom.  Leon LaRosa Jr. completed the basic track with an engaging presentation of Expert Report Writing.  The advanced track provided a deeper insight to fraud with Dr. Donna Greenwood’s Psychology of Fraud presentation.  Matthew Ryan’s session on Electronic Fraud received rave reviews from attendees.  Charles Lunden and Stephen Scherf completed the track with their interactive Discounting of Damages presentation.  To complete a full day of CPE, Honorable Abraham Gafni and Honorable Stephen Raslavich provided an inside view from the bench.

Evaluations of the conference revealed the program was enjoyed by all attendees including the students.  Duane Thuraisingham, from West Chester University, said, “This conference was a great learning experience, and helped add a professional accounting perspective to many of the concepts we learn in school.”  Chris Orben from Lehigh University commented, “The conference was well planned and provided a great opportunity to network with partners in various firms.  Being a student, I realize that contacts with established professionals are priceless assets which can be leveraged in the future.”

The committee is eager to begin planning next year’s agenda and they plan to continue to offer conference scholarships for exemplarily college students. Additional details of next year’s agenda and scholarship program will be available online in spring 2007.  Be sure to save next year’s Forensic and Litigation Services Conference date in your calendar – Tuesday, November 27 at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia.

First row (l to r) - Chris Orben, Matt Wisser, Christopher Itri, Heather Boudwin, Erin Lapenta, Duane Thuraisingham, Nick Barrell. Second row (l to r) - Charles Kern, Mike Colgan, Robert Caster, Bruce Leauby.

Christina Jagielski, Charles Kern, Geno Carragee, and Melissa Blutstein networking during a refreshment break.