Alison Forman is a Senior Vice President at Compass Lexecon.
Ms. Forman has nearly three decades of experience consulting on financial accounting, financial reporting, and auditing issues arising in complex litigation, regulatory enforcement, and corporate investigations. Ms. Forman supports testifying experts and works with attorneys in all phases of litigation, including mediation and trial. She has worked on matters in a variety of industries, including financial institutions, oil and gas, real estate, healthcare, high tech, automotive, solar, and retail.
Accounting
Ms. Forman’s expertise includes evaluating allegations pertaining to violations of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). She has experience with U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In addition, Ms. Forman has addressed matters that include: alleged financial reporting fraud; adequacy of disclosures contained in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings; financial statement restatements; materiality and assessment of errors; and non-GAAP measures.
Auditor liability
Ms. Forman’s expertise includes evaluating whether audit and review procedures complied with GAAS and PCAOB standards in the context of litigation and matters involving state boards of accountancy, the SEC, and the PCAOB. Her expertise includes: responsibilities of management and auditors; planning and execution of financial statement audits; the effectiveness of audits of internal controls over financial reporting; and auditors’ responsibilities regarding fraud.
Financial institutions
Ms. Forman also has extensive experience in financial institutions matters, notably those involving mortgage-backed securities (MBS), banks and thrifts, subprime lenders, credit card issuers, and life insurance companies. She has addressed allegations pertaining to: lending practices; loan loss allowances; lost profit damages; and representations and warranties related to MBS offerings.
Ms. Forman provides assistance in all aspects of the litigation process, including identification of expert candidates and the appropriate scope of expert testimony, discovery and interrogatories; mediation and settlement discussions; motions for summary judgment; expert reports and depositions; and trial.
Licensed CPA in Illinois.