1) Kroll
Founders: Jules B. Kroll (original firm Kroll Associates, 1972)
Founded: 1972 (origins earlier through Duff & Phelps legacy elements)
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Corporate investigations, asset recovery, forensic accounting, cyber incident response, valuation & compliance
Description:
Kroll is one of the oldest and most widely recognized names in corporate investigations and forensic consulting. Built on high-stakes corporate investigations, asset tracing and litigation support, Kroll combines investigative teams, forensic accountants and cyber incident responders. It serves law firms, financial institutions, corporations and governments on fraud investigations, funds recovery, due diligence and complex cross-border disputes. The firm’s long pedigree makes it a frequent choice for sensitive, high-profile assignments where reputation, discretion and investigative horsepower are paramount.
Key features:
- High-caliber investigative teams with ex-law enforcement and intelligence backgrounds
- Forensic accounting and litigation support for complex disputes
- Global asset tracing, recovery and due-diligence capabilities
- Cyber incident response and digital forensics
- Regulatory & compliance advisory for anti-corruption and sanctions matters
2) FTI Consulting
Founders: Dan (Daniel) Luczak and Joseph J. Reynolds (originally Forensic Technologies International)
Founded: 1982
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
Product categories: Forensic & litigation consulting, e-discovery, economic consulting, corporate finance, cybersecurity
Description:
FTI Consulting is a multidisciplinary advisory firm with a market-leading Forensic & Litigation Consulting practice. It combines forensic accounting, data analytics, expert witness testimony and complex e-discovery services to help clients manage litigation, regulatory inquiries and internal investigations. FTI’s strength is breadth – pairing domain specialists (accountants, engineers, economists) with technology platforms that tame large data sets and support defensible, courtroom-ready outputs. Global presence and frequent participation in merger-related disputes, bankruptcy cases and regulatory probes make FTI a go-to for large, evidence-intensive engagements.
Key features:
- Forensic accounting and dispute economics
- End-to-end e-discovery and data analytics
- Expert witness and courtroom support
- Cyber incident and privacy breach response
- Industry sector specialists (financial services, energy, healthcare)
3) AlixPartners
Founders: Jay Alix
Founded: 1981
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Disputes & investigations, forensic technology, restructuring advisory, transaction forensics
Description:
AlixPartners-best known for turnaround and restructuring work-also operates a robust disputes and investigations practice that brings multidisciplinary investigation teams to complex matters. The firm pairs restructuring/operational insight with forensic accounting, data forensics and litigation consulting to help clients resolve fraud, transaction disputes and compliance problems. AlixPartners’ distinct advantage is operational depth: when financial wrongdoing intersects with failing or transforming businesses, their teams can both investigate root causes and execute remediation or turnaround steps.
Key features:
- Disputes and investigations integrated with turnaround expertise
- Transaction forensics for M&A and carve-outs
- Forensic data analytics and evidence preservation
- Specialist teams for industry-specific operational investigations
- Rapid response for crisis and insolvency-linked matters
4) PwC – Forensic Services
Founders: (PwC formed via 1998 merger of Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand; original firms date to 1849/1854)
Founded: PwC (1998 as PricewaterhouseCoopers; forensic practice developed across decades)
Headquarters: London, UK (global network)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, anti-corruption, digital forensics, compliance & monitoring, regulatory response
Description :
PwC’s Forensics practice sits inside a global Big Four platform and is built to handle large, cross-jurisdictional investigations, regulatory responses and data-intensive forensic workflows. The firm leverages audit-level rigor, global networks and substantial data-engineering resources to run lengthy investigations, deliver compliance remediation and provide litigation support. Clients that need integrated advisory – for example combining forensic findings with tax, legal or transaction advice – frequently choose PwC for capability depth and global coverage.
Key features:
- Global forensic teams with audit and regulatory experience
- Large-scale data analytics and e-discovery platforms
- Anti-bribery/corruption and sanctions advisory
- Integrated remediation (controls, monitoring and training)
- Collaboration with tax, legal and transaction advisers
5) Deloitte – Forensic
Founders: William Welch Deloitte (Deloitte origin 1845)
Founded: Deloitte (1845 as firm origin; forensic practice scale developed since the 1990s)
Headquarters: London, UK (global network)
Product categories: Investigations, forensic technology, dispute consulting, anti-fraud programs, compliance
Description:
Deloitte’s forensic practice blends investigative specialists, forensic technologists and industry subject matter experts. It is oriented to rapid incident response, digital evidence handling and structured investigative programs that feed into legal proceedings or regulatory reporting. Deloitte emphasizes technology-enabled forensics (large-scale analytics, AI-driven anomaly detection) and designing prevention programs that translate forensic insights into stronger internal controls and monitoring. Many multinational corporates choose Deloitte for enterprise-scale investigations that require both technical and regulatory breadth.
Key features:
- Incident response and digital forensics at scale
- Data science and AI for anomaly detection
- Forensic investigations, interviews and evidence handling
- Regulatory liaison and enforcement response support
- Design of anti-fraud controls and monitoring
6) EY – Forensic & Integrity Services
Founders: (Ernst & Young heritage; individual founders date to 19th century)
Founded: EY (current form 1989; forensic practices evolved within the firm)
Headquarters: London, UK (global network)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, anti-corruption, digital & cyber forensics, transaction forensics, crisis response
Description:
EY’s Forensic & Integrity Services team helps organizations prevent, detect and respond to fraud, corruption and data breaches. The practice emphasizes combining technology (AI for data review), legal and accounting expertise to produce defensible forensic work that stands up under scrutiny. EY also focuses on integrity frameworks – helping clients build enterprise governance and conduct programs to reduce future risk. Large corporations and boards frequently use EY for investigations that require global coordination and integrated remediation across functions.
Key features:
- Global forensic case management and investigation teams
- AI-assisted data analysis and e-discovery workflows
- FCPA and anti-corruption response and remediation
- Cyber forensics and privacy incident response
- Transactional diligence and carve-out forensics
7) KPMG – Forensic
Founders: (KPMG formed from historical firms; legacy founders across 19th–20th centuries)
Founded: KPMG (modern KPMG formed via mergers; forensic services established as global practice)
Headquarters: Amstelveen, Netherlands (global network; major offices in London/New York)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, asset tracing, anti-fraud programs, digital forensics, dispute advisory
Description:
KPMG’s forensic practice is designed to tackle fraud investigations, compliance reviews and dispute advisory with a combination of accounting, technology and regulatory specialists. The practice is known for structured investigation protocols, forensics technology stacks and experience with law enforcement liaison and sanctions/compliance matters. KPMG is often selected for highly regulated sectors (financial services, energy, government contracts) where forensic outcomes must be tightly aligned with audit, compliance and regulatory remediation efforts.
Key features:
- Forensic accounting, fraud examination and asset tracing
- e-Discovery and forensic data labs
- Regulatory liaison and investigation management
- Industry-specific investigative playbooks
- Post-investigation remediation and monitoring programs
8) Ankura
Founders: Roger D. Carlile (and founding leadership team)
Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Dallas & New York (U.S. presence; global offices)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, expert services, disputes, data analytics, compliance advisory
Description:
Ankura is a rapidly grown expert services firm that combines dispute, investigations and advisory skills with deep domain expertise in industries like healthcare, financial services and energy. Ankura often acquires specialist teams and assets to scale its forensic capabilities and is known for high-quality expert testimony, data analytics in large cases and pragmatic remediation advice. Its model mixes senior, former Big Four and in-house experts to deliver tailored investigation teams for complex multi-jurisdictional matters.
Key features:
- Senior expert testimony and litigation support
- Multi-disciplinary teams (forensic accounting, data, industry specialists)
- Rapid scaling via targeted acquisitions and lateral hires
- In-depth transaction and dispute forensics
- Global reach with networked specialist teams
9) Berkeley Research Group (BRG)
Founders: Dr. David J. Teece and founding partners
Founded: 2010
Headquarters: Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area), USA
Product categories: Economic & financial forensics, investigations, data & analytics, expert testimony
Description:
BRG (Berkeley Research Group) is a strategy and expert testimony firm that has carved a strong niche in forensic accounting, economic analysis and data-driven investigations. Its strength lies in rigorous economic modelling, antitrust/dispute expertise and a research culture that leverages academic leaders. BRG is frequently retained for high-stakes damages quantification, complex valuation disputes and investigations requiring deep econometric analysis. The firm combines courtroom-ready expert reports with advanced data analytics to translate complex technical evidence into persuasive narratives.
Key features:
- Economists and academics on complex damages and valuation
- Forensic data analytics and modeling for disputes
- Expert witness testimony in high-value cases
- Cross-border investigative experience
- Specialized industry teams (energy, life sciences, financial services)
10) Control Risks
Founders: Founded by ex-military and corporate security leaders (est. 1975)
Founded: 1975
Headquarters: London, UK
Product categories: Corporate investigations, political & country risk, intelligence, cyber forensics, compliance advice
Description:
Control Risks is a global risk consultancy that blends investigations with political and security risk advisory. Their forensic work often lives at the intersection of fraud, sanctions and geopolitical risk – for example, asset tracing where jurisdictional or security concerns complicate traditional approaches. Control Risks is chosen when investigations demand specialist local intelligence, protective operations, or sensitive stakeholder management in high-risk geographies. They also provide cyber-forensics and incident response where threat actors have geopolitical vectors.
Key features:
- Investigations fused with geopolitical and security analysis
- Local intelligence networks in high-risk jurisdictions
- Asset tracing and sanctions advisory
- Cyber incident response integrated with field operations
- Crisis management and protective services
11) Aon (Stroz Friedberg)
Founders: Stroz Friedberg founded by Salvatore Stroz and Eric Friedberg; later acquired by Aon
Founded: Stroz Friedberg (2000s); Aon acquired Stroz Friedberg in 2016
Headquarters: Aon (London/Chicago); Stroz Friedberg legacy HQ New York, USA
Product categories: Cyber forensics, incident response, digital investigations, cyber risk advisory
Description:
Stroz Friedberg – now integrated within Aon’s risk and cyber services – became synonymous with elite cyber-forensic investigations and incident response. Their teams include former intelligence, law enforcement and technical forensic specialists who investigate intrusions, data exfiltration and insider misuse. Under Aon’s umbrella, the capability is deployed at enterprise scale, pairing forensic response with cyber risk transfer, insurance and broader resilience services. Organizations facing sophisticated cyber incidents or regulatory scrutiny often retain Stroz/Aon for technical investigation and remediation.
Key features:
- Rapid incident response for cyber intrusions and breaches
- Forensic imaging, malware analysis and attribution support
- Integration with cyber insurance and risk transfer solutions
- Expert testimony in privacy/regulatory breach matters
- Managed detection and post-incident remediation programs
12) BDO – Forensics & Investigations
Founders: (BDO network formed historically; present BDO firms are national partnerships)
Founded: BDO global network origins 1963; national BDO firms older; forensic practice developed over decades
Headquarters: Zaventem, Belgium (BDO International HQ); BDO USA HQ Chicago, USA
Product categories: Forensic accounting, investigations, e-discovery, forensic technology, AML & regulatory support
Description:
BDO’s forensic practice is a major player among the mid-tier global networks, offering pragmatic forensic accounting, e-discovery and investigative services. BDO combines local market knowledge with a global network to help companies manage internal investigations, regulatory enquiries and asset tracing. Their value proposition is hands-on forensics delivered cost-competitively, with strength in forensic technology, managed review and regulatory compliance for mid-market clients through to large corporates.
Key features:
- Forensic accounting and investigative auditing
- e-Discovery, forensic technology and managed review
- AML, sanctions and regulatory advisory
- Cross-border coordination via global BDO network
- Cost-efficient delivery for mid-market and enterprise clients
13) RSM – Forensics / Fraud & Investigations
Founders: RSM International network (origins in 1964; RSM US lineage to 1926)
Founded: Network formed 1964 (US member roots 1926)
Headquarters: London (RSM International); RSM US HQ Chicago, USA
Product categories: Fraud investigations, forensic accounting, litigation support, cyber forensics
Description:
RSM’s forensic and investigations teams focus on practical, business-sensitive forensic accounting and fraud investigation work for middle-market companies and privately held businesses. Their offering includes rapid investigative response, forensic data analysis and expert reports aimed at dispute resolution, insurance claims and internal control breakdowns. RSM positions itself as delivering Big-Four-quality investigatory work with the client focus and cost profile suited to mid-market organizations.
Key features:
- Fraud & forensic accounting for middle-market clients
- Litigation support and expert report drafting
- Forensic data analysis and evidence preservation
- Insurance claim and loss quantification services
- Practical remediation and control strengthening
14) Grant Thornton – Forensic
Founders: Alexander Richardson Grant (and legacy national founders)
Founded: Grant Thornton lineage to 1924 (global network formed later)
Headquarters: Chicago (Grant Thornton LLP U.S.) / London (Grant Thornton International)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, dispute advisory, fraud risk management, compliance
Description:
Grant Thornton’s forensic practice offers investigative and dispute advisory services with a pragmatic, business-focused orientation. The practice handles fraud investigations, whistleblower cases, regulatory response and disputes that require robust evidence collection and quantification. Its advantage for many clients is domain fluency in privately held and mid-market businesses, combined with global reach for cross-border investigations and collaboration with litigation counsel for strong legal defensibility.
Key features:
- Fraud investigations and whistleblower case management
- Dispute advisory and damages quantification
- Regulatory response and remediation programs
- Industry specialists for targeted investigative insight
- Support for internal audit and risk functions
15) Crowe
Founders: (Crowe heritage as Russell & Crowe origins; established decades ago)
Founded: Crowe network roots in the 1940s–1950s; now a global network
Headquarters: Chicago, USA (Crowe Global HQ)
Product categories: Forensic accounting, investigations, e-discovery, valuation & litigation support
Description:
Crowe’s forensic services blend accounting discipline with investigation experience to help corporations, law firms and insurers manage fraud, disputes and regulatory matters. The firm emphasizes defensible documentation, clear expert reporting and a blend of forensic technology and traditional investigation techniques. Crowe is often chosen by mid-sized clients requiring responsive, cost-conscious forensic teams that can scale for litigation or internal governance reviews.
Key features:
- Forensic accounting and financial investigations
- e-Discovery and data review capability
- Valuation and damages quantification for litigation
- Insurance claim investigations and subrogation support
- Integration with audit and advisory services
16) Baker Tilly – Forensic Advisory
Founders: (Baker Tilly International and national member firms have historical roots; US member origins 1931)
Founded: Baker Tilly network 1987 (earlier national firm histories extend to 1930s)
Headquarters: Global network HQ London; significant U.S. presence Chicago, USA
Product categories: Fraud investigations, forensic accounting, claim & dispute advisory, e-discovery
Description:
Baker Tilly’s forensic advisory group focuses on delivering timely investigations, damages analysis and dispute support for commercial and insurance matters. The firm pairs forensic accounting teams with litigation support professionals to create clear, defensible case narratives for counsel and tribunals. Baker Tilly’s global network helps clients manage investigations that cross markets while keeping engagement teams focused on practical remedial steps and governance improvements post-investigation.
Key features:
- Commercial fraud and forensic accounting specialists
- Insurance claims and loss quantification
- e-Discovery and managed document review
- Cross-border coordination via international member firms
- Remediation and control enhancement post-investigation
17) Guidehouse (includes ex-Navigant capabilities)
Founders: Guidehouse evolved from PwC’s U.S. public sector business; Veritas Capital purchased and rebranded the business (2018-present)
Founded: Guidehouse (2018 as independent entity; Navigant legacy older)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. / Chicago (Guidehouse corporate presence)
Product categories: Forensic investigations, regulatory support, disputes consultancy, cybersecurity & risk
Description:
Guidehouse is a management and consulting firm with strong capabilities in disputes, investigations and regulatory matters – bolstered by the 2019 acquisition of Navigant, which brought deep forensic and healthcare dispute expertise. Guidehouse serves government and commercial clients, often on regulatory investigations, white-collar matters and industry-specific forensic engagements (notably healthcare and energy). The firm’s strength is combining sector skillsets with regulatory knowledge to deliver defensible investigations and remediation programs.
Key features:
- Industry-focused forensic teams (healthcare, energy, public sector)
- Regulatory and government investigation support
- Post-incident remediation and controls design
- Forensic technology and expert testimony capabilities
- Legacy Navigant litigation & forensics expertise integrated
18) Alvarez & Marsal (A&M)
Founders: Tony Alvarez II and Bryan P. Marsal
Founded: 1983
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Disputes & investigations, restructuring forensics, forensic technology, crisis management
Description:
Alvarez & Marsal is renowned for turnaround and restructuring work and also operates a heavyweight disputes and investigations practice. A&M applies hands-on operational and financial expertise to forensic matters tied to distressed companies, insolvency proceedings and complex disputes. Their teams are valued where investigative findings must be translated quickly into operational fixes, asset recovery or restructuring plans – blending forensic accounting and operational remediation under one roof.
Key features:
- Forensics intersecting with turnaround and insolvency work
- Rapid deployment to distressed companies and estates
- Transaction forensics and insolvency investigations
- Forensic technology and electronic evidence handling
- Remediation and value-recovery execution
19) Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA)
Founders: Toby Duthie, Frances McLeod and Greg Mason (founding partners)
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: London, UK (global presence)
Product categories: Forensic accounting, complex multi-jurisdictional investigations, sanctions & compliance, data analytics
Description:
FRA is a specialist forensic firm that focuses exclusively on investigations, regulatory enforcement support and dispute advisory. Distinguished by its investigative depth and lack of broader audit conflicts, FRA is frequently retained by law firms, corporations and regulators for sensitive, multi-jurisdictional matters. Its teams combine forensic accountants, former regulators and technical data specialists to handle complex compliance investigations, sanctions work and high-value cross-border disputes – often where independence from large audit networks is important.
Key features:
- Specialist, conflict-free forensic practice
- Multi-jurisdictional investigations and regulatory support
- Forensic accounting and sanctions expertise
- Data governance and e-discovery specialists
- Trusted adviser to law firms and enforcement agencies
20) Charles River Associates (CRA)
Founders: Jerry Kraft, John Kaler and Alan Willens (early foundation team)
Founded: 1965
Headquarters: Boston, USA
Product categories: Economic & financial forensics, expert testimony, antitrust & competition, valuation & damages
Description:
Charles River Associates (CRA) is a specialist economic and financial consulting firm frequently engaged for expert testimony and forensic economic analysis. CRA’s forensic strength is rigorous empirical analysis for damages quantification, antitrust disputes and economic aspects of litigation. The firm’s expert economists and financial analysts prepare technical reports and testify in court, arbitration and regulatory proceedings – particularly where economic theory and empirical evidence are determinative.
Key features:
- Economists and financial experts for damages and valuation
- Antitrust, competition and regulatory forensic expertise
- Expert witness preparation and courtroom testimony
- Empirical and econometric evidence development
- Independent litigation & arbitration support
How I selected these 20 firms (short methodology)
I prioritized firms that: (a) are repeatedly engaged on cross-border or high-profile forensic mandates; (b) combine investigative, accounting and technical (digital) capabilities; (c) have documented experience in litigation support, regulatory response and cyber forensics; and (d) represent a mix of Big-Four scale, mid-tier global networks and independent specialist boutiques. Sources included firm websites, industry surveys and reputable business profiles.
Conclusion – positioning advice for buyers
Choosing the right forensic partner is about matching capability to the incident’s profile:
- For highly sensitive global investigations with political or security angles, prefer specialists with local intelligence reach (Control Risks, Kroll).
- For litigation-heavy matters needing rigorous damages modelling or expert economists, pick CRA or BRG.
- For complex discovery/data issues or cyber incidents, use firms with strong forensic-tech capability (Stroz/Aon, FTI, Deloitte).
- If you need independence from audit conflicts or bespoke multi-jurisdictional teams, consider specialist boutiques (FRA, Ankura, Berkeley Research Group).
