2024 I want the TRUTH: Preparing to be an Expert Witness
2.00 Credits
Member Price $79
Non-Member Price $109
Overview
Many practitioners dealing with government and not-for-profit issues are asked to serve as expert witnesses in courts of law or other adjudicatory venues. This session will discuss key issues you need to know when you are asked to serve in this capacity, including:
- Applicable standards and other engagement acceptance considerations.
- Preparation requirements and techniques.
- Dos and don'ts of testifying.
- Avoiding commons traps and tricks designed to undermine your effectiveness.
The session will conclude with a “mock cross-examination” with participants serving as the jury to identify what our witness does right and what he does wrong.
Highlights
- Rules of civil and criminal procedure
- Applicable standards
- Testifying basics
- Cross-examination techniques
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
Accountants and Auditors at all levels
Objectives
- Why testifying as an expert is challenging, but rewarding
- Standards and rules
- Types of experts
- How to prepare to testify
- Reporting rules
- Do's and don'ts of testifying
- Common traps and tricks and how to handle them
Preparation
None
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
David Cotton, Chairman, Cotton & Company, LLP
Dave Cotton is founder and Chairman Emeritus of Cotton & Company, Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Cotton & Company was founded in 1981 and has a practice concentration in assisting Federal and State agencies, inspectors general, and government grantees and contractors with a variety of government program-related assurance and advisory services. Cotton & Company has performed grant and contract, indirect cost rate, financial statement, financial related, and performance audits for more than three dozen Federal inspectors general as well as numerous other Federal and State organizations, programs, activities, and functions. In April 2022, Cotton & Company became a subsidiary of Sikich LLP.
Dave has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Management Science and Labor Relations.
In May 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Dave to the Virginia Board of Accountancy.
Non-Member Price $109
Member Price $79