William (Bill) Jennings has more than 40 years of experience, vast knowledge and expertise in forensic accounting, investigation, and asset recovery services. He works closely with corporations, government agencies, and attorneys and provides business controls consulting services to organizations. On numerous occasions, he has provided expert testimony in domestic and international courts.
During his career, Bill has been retained to conduct investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Marshals Service. He authored the book, Fraud Investigation and Forensic Accounting in the Real World, 2022, CRC Press, which incorporates the knowledge and experience gained over the course of his career. Bill is a CPA/ABV and holds CFF and CFE certifications, as well as being a licensed private detective and private pilot.
- Provided expert testimony before an ICC arbitral panel in Asia about the construction accounting and related issues in a dispute regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant.
- Led the audit committee investigation into alleged accounting and financial reporting errors and irregularities for the eighth largest homebuilder in the United States.
- Provided expert testimony on behalf of the defendant in the largest accounting malpractice litigation brought against one of the Big Four accounting firms.
- Led the audit committee investigation into alleged accounting and financial reporting errors and irregularities for the largest medical equipment & supplies distributor in the United States.
- Led the audit committee investigation into alleged bid-rigging by one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in the United States.
- Led the audit committee investigation into alleged accounting and financial reporting errors and irregularities for a large publicly traded textile company.
- Led the forensic accounting investigation, on behalf of a U.S. Attorney’s office, into the use of proceeds from the sale of stolen art. Mr. Jennings testified about his findings at the criminal trial of the art dealer who was convicted.
- Led forensic accounting investigations, on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service, into the use of proceeds, by drug dealers who had been indicted, to prepare the Marshals for forfeiture hearings and other related services.
- Led the forensic accounting investigation, on behalf of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission into alleged channel-stuffing by one of the largest food manufacturing & distribution companies in the world.
- Following 9/11, led the world-wide security review for hotel properties managed in Europe and Asia by one of the world’s largest hoteliers.
- Led the internal investigation, on behalf of the Belgian owner, of the largest maize sweetener company in Greece. He was also responsible, in conjunction with local operatives, for plant security during the investigation. Mr. Jennings successfully proved that the plant manager had embezzled millions of euros which he laundered through London banks to Panama. Mr. Jennings and a colleague from London also successfully turned back an attempted attack on the plant by local farmers.
Education
- Auburn University
MBA, 2005 - University of New Orleans
B.S. Accounting, 1978
Licenses/Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)
- Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Private Detective, Illinois (PI)
Honors
Who’s Who Legal
- Investigations Forensic Accounting
- Consulting Experts
Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Atlanta International Arbitration Society
- The Institute of Internal Auditors
Languages
English