How it works

Scoping the work

Before we start work, we like to establish the purpose of the analysis. This enables us to determine the best type of analysis for the circumstances.

We scope each project and tailor the analysis to the specific case, for example focusing on:

Transactions in excess of a Size threshold, for example over £50/£500/£5,000
Specified Time intervals, for example to give a picture of pre-separation and post-separation expenditure
Particular Areas of concern, such as spend on non-matrimonial areas, hiding money or other aspects that might warrant an add-back
Categories of interest, for example overseas travel, hobbies, cash withdrawals or extravagant discretionary spend

Analysis levels

For simplicity we describe our three analysis levels as Bronze, Silver and Gold. However, our analysis is always tailored to the needs of the case.

Bronze – provides a simple level of transactional detail, and analysis which summarises income and spend categories for each account. Commentary is not provided.
Silver – provides a comprehensive consolidation of expenditure across multiple bank accounts and credit cards. This analyses income and spend for each account and overall, when inter-account transfers are eliminated.
Gold – provides the most comprehensive analysis, with a tailored report including accounting commentary and questions to raise on the other party.

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Supporting information

To categorise and draw conclusions from individual bank and credit card transactions ideally we need to understand the circumstances of the case.

We request background information as part of the process, to provide context to the bank and credit card data. This aids our analysis and enables us to tailor our reporting.

Much of this contextual information will be disclosed in Form E; for example whether an individual has children living with him or her, more than one property, a specific high-spend hobby or other aspects that will give pointers to what various areas of spend should be allocated to.

We also need to know about the existence of all bank accounts and credit cards for an individual and, preferably, their spouse. This enables us to eliminate inter-bank transfers and transfers between the divorcing parties.