Imprisoning by numbers: An Accountants Game.

What comes to mind when you see the word, ‘accountancy’?. Perhaps thoughts about mathematics, numbers, ledgers and (Que dramatic music) income tax whiz through your mind. Not the most exciting for the majority. What if I told you that accountancy could help put the world’s most notorious gangsters behind bars?

The ‘roaring '20s’ in Chicago was an era of bootlegging, bribery and violence, with Alphonse “Scarface” Capone ruling the empire. Known for dealing his hand in countless assaults, murders, robberies and illegal businesses, the crime boss was almost impossible to take down. His habits of paying people to stay ‘silenced’ and threatening lives if they turned against him, meant that targeting Capone was like signing your own death warrant. Trust an accountant to take that risk!

It’s no secret that Capone liked to live a life of luxury throughout the Windy City. Keeping track of spending habits within a gangster’s line of work is quite the liability, so much of his frivolous lifestyle remained unaccounted for. Capone never filed a single tax return. Aha! Finally, one way to crack him. While targeting his business endeavours was off the cards, the FBI & IRS hoped to convict him of tax evasion. That’s where special agent and accountant, Frank Wilson came in.

Wilson and his team began building a case against the fraudster by reviewing over 2 million documents, before cracking the case with the discovery of three ledgers revealing a small selection of Capone’s untaxed income. By investigating handwriting samples, Wilson could identify who made the ledger notations, thus building a team of witnesses to testify against the suspect. In 1951, Capone was indicted on 23 counts of tax evasion and charged with an 11-year prison sentence and $250,000 in fines. That should remind you to always file your taxes.

The success of this case reveals the importance of forensic accounting in investigations and paved the way for future progressions within the profession. Wilson and his team show us the wide range of skills necessary to build a successful case as a forensic accountant, from document reviews and financial analysis to litigation support.

Although the gun-wielding, mafia villains of the '20s have been replaced by tech-savvy, modern criminals, the role of forensic accountants is ever-present within society. Every financial crime requires a transaction and forensic accountants must be able to recognize even the most minute of inconsistencies within a system.

Accountancy. Perhaps not as tedious as you thought?

We are Toner Graham. We are Kelly’s finance and accountancy firm in the UK. We have access to an active pool of top-tier talent at our fingertips. Whether you’re hiring a forensic accountant, a company secretary or a financial assistant (to name a few), Toner Graham can help build the team of experts you need.

Curious to learn more about what we do? Jump onto the Toner Graham | Accounting page.

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.