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| What Do Crime Scene Witnesses and Business Owners Have in Common? (2096Q) |
Course CPE: 1 hour
Field of Study: Accounting–1 hr
Program Level: Basic
Prerequisites: Previous training or experience with the fundamentals of accounting, finance, economics, and business writing. These individuals are often at the staff or entry level in organizations, although such programs may also benefit a seasoned professional with limited exposure to the area.
Advanced Preparation: None
Delivery Method: QAS Self-Study |
Item
Number: 25FA0922WDC
Shipping Weight: 0lbs. 0oz. |
| Price:
$99.00 |
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Recording Date: September 22, 2025
Presenter: Miranda Kishel
Program Description:
In this thought-provoking course, Miranda Kishel explores the surprising parallels between crime scene witnesses and business owners, and why both require professionals to exercise skepticism and rely on hard evidence.
Much like eyewitnesses to a crime, business owners often provide accounts of their company’s performance that are shaped by emotion, memory, bias, and perspective. While their narratives offer context, they are not always reliable sources of truth. As forensic accountants, valuation professionals, and financial analysts, we must learn to differentiate between perception and reality; between the story told and the facts that can be proven.
This presentation draws on psychological research, professional standards, and real-world examples to demonstrate how subjective statements can skew an analysis if not properly scrutinized. Attendees will explore how techniques like cross-verification, forensic inquiry, benchmarking, and quantitative modeling can help uncover inconsistencies, reveal red flags, and lead to more accurate, defensible conclusions.
Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies for separating story from substance and enhancing the credibility of their conclusions. Whether you are analyzing financials for a valuation, testifying as an expert, or conducting a forensic engagement, this course will remind you why the numbers—not the narrative—are your most trustworthy source of evidence.
Takeaways
After completing this course, attendees will be able to critically assess business owner narratives with a heightened sense of professional skepticism. They will know how to validate subjective claims using objective financial data, industry benchmarks, and forensic analysis techniques. Participants will be equipped to recognize common biases and errors in client-provided information, and apply quantitative tools to uncover the true financial health of a business. These skills will enhance the accuracy, defensibility, and credibility of their valuation, forensic, and economic damages engagements.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the psychological factors that make witness and business owner accounts unreliable
- Determine the appropriate use of professional skepticism when conducting NACVA-related analysis and engagements
- Identify tools and strategies for validating subjective claims with objective financial data
- Recognize common pitfalls in relying too heavily on business owner narratives
- Select quantitative analysis techniques such as trend analysis, ratio analysis, and benchmarking
- Differentiate the use of real-world examples to strengthen conclusions in valuation, damages, and forensic accounting cases
For more information regarding refund or concerns, please contact our offices at (800) 677-2009.
The Consultants’ Training Institute (CTI) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
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