How a New Proposed Rule of Evidence Seeks to Admit AI Analysis and Supplant Experts On January 30, 2026, Anthropic released legal plugins for its Claude AI that automate contract review, compliance tracking, and legal analysis. Within three days, $285 billion in market value evaporated from legal software and publishing companies. This was not a correction. It was a signal. The AI companies are no longer content selling infrastructure, now they are coming for the legal, financial, and forensic analysis applications themselves. The author discusses the legal and practical repercussions that the new Federal Rule of Evidence would have on…
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Conversations with ChatGPT In this article, the author discusses the conversation she had with ChatGPT regarding Bitcoin and Ponzi schemes. This question has been around nearly as long as Bitcoin itself (without the Charles Ponzi qualifier). How could I have a conversation with Charles Ponzi? Perhaps ChatGPT has ingested enough material about the historical figure to do it for me. I initiated a new conversation with ChatGPT and asked, “Is Bitcoin a Ponzi scheme?” The short answer it gave was no and the model provided some reasons but they are boring. I then responded, “Give me more specific answers designed…
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A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Claims Outcomes (Part II of II) In this second of a two-part article, the authors discuss areas where outside expertise may be needed and policy exclusions. Read Part I here. Introduction: Navigating Claims Challenges and How Experts Can Help Throughout the fidelity claims handling process, issues or challenges may arise for which parties involved must reconcile. Here are some common issues that may be encountered: Proof of Loss: One of the primary challenges in fidelity claims is establishing the proof of loss. The insured party must provide evidence of the fraudulent or dishonest acts committed…
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Do Not Be Afraid to Innovate This article focuses on how advances in AI and machine learning can aid forensic investigations procedures and further bring the detection of fraud and other financial crimes into the digital age. Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, fraud and financial crime have become an increasingly complex and pervasive issue for organizations, big and small, global, and domestic. Fortunately, advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as invaluable tools in the fight against malfeasance. By leveraging sophisticated algorithms, data analytics, and machine learning capabilities, combined with traditional forensic accounting principles, these technological advancements…
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A Primer for Business Valuation, Forensic, and Litigation Support Professionals This is the first article in a series related to the cryptocurrency valuation and litigation. This is an emerging area of practice. In this first article, the author explains what is a blockchain and the purposes blockchains serve. Cryptocurrency litigation in the past decade has appeared in various dispute types: Matrimonial disputes where property characterization, asset concealment, and valuation are key components of the forensic practitioner’s work product; In civil disputes where a lack of professional skepticism, an over-reliance on 409(A) valuations, and subversive explanations are key pitfalls of a…
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Strategies for Resolving Litigation Disputes The cryptocurrency market is down approximately 57 percent for the year as of the time of this writing. For many, this news may bring a feeling of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). For practitioners involved with crypto-litigation, however, it just further complicates a complex subject matter. This article explores the considerations and strategies to help resolve these types of cases during times of uncertainty, including financial forensics, asset divisions, income, taxes, and other topics. Each of these are discussed below. The cryptocurrency market is down approximately 57 percent for the year as of the time…
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No Tulip Bulbs Here! What is a non-fungible token (NFT)? How are NFTs valued? This article discusses NFTs and the valuation challenges these present. What is a non-fungible token (NFT)? Recently, the media has seemed to catch on to the new(ish) invention—NFTs. Even the recent episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) has featured an entertaining segment explaining the nature of NFTs to the rhythmic beat of an Eminem song. NFT is a unique, non-interchangeable digital asset backed by blockchain ledger technology. Non-fungible characteristic of these tokens or assets refers to the unique or scarce and non-replicable nature of this digital-crypto…
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in the Cryptocurrency Economy Although cryptocurrency and blockchain technology create an environment that can help combat fraud within their systems, their introduction into the global economy has opened numerous doors for nefarious activity. This article provides an overview of what is cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and the rise of threats to digital assets. Fraud used to be much simpler for the fraudster—they exploited weakness in the internal controls of a company and executed one or more transactions leading to theft of funds or property. Sometimes they concealed the crime; other times they felt no need to do so. Today’s world is…
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The Future is Here This article describes the background, concepts behind, and implications of blockchain technology deployment for commercial, governmental, and personal use. QuickRead readers are aware of proposals to move entirely away from cash (bills and coins) for daily transactions. Such a move is expected to create a major inconvenience for those without access to credit cards and basic banking services. Readers are also acutely aware of the huge number of significant cybersecurity events which continue to adversely affect millions of people all over the world, shaking user and consumer confidence in the dependability of the custodians of our sensitive…
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For 2020 and Beyond Merriam-Webster dictionary defines blockchain as a digital database containing information (such as records of financial transactions) that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large decentralized, publicly accessible network. In this article, the author predicts blockchain trends and its impacts of the accounting profession. With a new year comes changes across multiple facets of the accounting vertical, and there has arguably been no trend and tool that has dominated the accounting conversation more than blockchain technology and its applications. Since its launch from obscurity to the mainstream business and accounting conversation, blockchain and its applications—including…
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The assurance partner responsible for the development of blockchain services at Aprio LLP shares her insights into how the technology works and how to succeed with it. To read the full article in Journal of Accountancy, click: What I’ve Learned Building a BlockChain Business.
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Blockchain is forecast to transform many industries by providing fast, verifiable transfer and tracking. At its core, blockchain is a distributed ledger that records transactions between every user in the chain. Although it’s commonly regarded as a single technology, there are different types of blockchain: public and private. To read the full article in In The Black, click: What’s the Difference Between a Private and Public Blockchain?
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Tax ramifications, smart contracts, and job security are among the issues top of mind for accountants. Given blockchain’s rapid rise into the accounting consciousness, it is no surprise CPAs have many questions about the technology. This article addresses five of the most pressing concerns I encounter regarding blockchain, smart contracts, and cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: CPAs’ Top Five Questions About Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies.
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Removing third-parties speeds transactions and reduces their cost. CFOs and finance departments are always looking for reductions in cost and increases in speed and efficiency in business engagements. One option that is attracting more attention is the smart contract. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: How Smart Contracts Can Create a Competitive Edge.
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Employment and salary prospects for accountants are healthy across the board, but professionals with up-to-date expertise in data collection and analysis are most in demand, say recruitment specialists. To read the full article in InTheBlack, click: The Accounting Skills Most in Demand.
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If you or your organization is interested in adopting blockchain technology, you need to know the difference between public and private blockchains. One might be a better option than the other. This blog post can help you decide. To read the full article in AICPA Insights, click: Public vs. Private Blockchains: What CPAs Should Know.
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The accounting profession sits on the cusp of unprecedented change. Transformative technologies will reshape virtually every corner of the accounting world. For CPAs to survive and thrive, they will need to learn—and unlearn—on a scale and at a pace that can seem overwhelming. To help CPAs prepare, the JofA gathered three of the profession’s top technology experts for its annual accounting technology roundtable. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: How AI, Blockchain, and Automation Will Reinvent Accounting.
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Members of the accounting profession are being challenged to gain a deep understanding of how ledger technology and digital currencies work. As the use cases for blockchain multiply, accountants and auditors need to consider how the existing accounting and auditing rules relate to distributed ledger technology. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: Blockchain Considerations for Management and Auditors.
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The FASB is conducting early stage research about developing an accounting standard for digital currency and the technology that underpins it. With the use of digital currency increasing, proponents say inconsistent accounting practices are becoming a problem. To read the full article in Thomson Reuters, click: Bitcoin Seeks Recognition from U.S. GAAP.
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CFOs are eager to make the finance function more efficient and useful. Samantha White, CGMA Magazine senior editor, explains what leading finance functions have in common. To read the full article in CGMA Magazine, click: Six Traits of Leading Finance Functions.