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 Welcome to Scherzer International's New Look Greetings!
With over a decade of experience, Scherzer International (SI) has seen many changes in the background investigations industry and has established its place at the forefront. Now we have redesigned our logo to provide a visual connection with our products, which are the key elements of many clients' risk management programs. Our Web site and other materials also have a new look to better reflect our trusted quality and improved capabilities in global research.
We hope you find our "News Blasts," which we will be sending on a monthly basis, useful and enlightening. Please visit our Web site at www.scherzer.com.
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Your Risk Management Partner ... Because Integrity Matters
The past few months have witnessed appalling stories of con artists who bilked billions of dollars out of people, business, and charitable foundations. These white collar thieves were not just in banking and on Wall Street; they were in health care, retail, oil and refining, military supplies and other fields. In short, the effects of these cons have been felt on every street in America and beyond.
Do these stories indicate that business crime has increased in recent years, or are we simply more effective in catching the perpetrators? Perhaps it is a combination of both, but these cases point to the importance of internal controls through due diligence and risk management.
Scherzer International (SI) has a proven reputation for accuracy, expertise, quality and speed in risk management. As part of a Risk Management Program we provide background reports with search strategies designed for each client's risk level. Our highly trained research analysts review and summarize public records for both individuals and companies and deliver a comprehensive, easy-to-read report targeted on the client's purpose of investigation.
SI's trusted reputation was proven once again recently in two highly publicized cases involving fraud, money laundering and drug related crimes. Years before news broke on the cases; SI identified these individuals as a potential risk for two of our clients. Based on our reports, our clients (one a financial services firm and one an accounting firm) made the informed decision not to engage in business with these individuals. In one case, the subject of our investigation was arrested and convicted of drug related crimes, money laundering and involvement in organized crime. In the other case, the federal government charged the subject with illegal financial dealings, investments that could not be traced and altering financial records.
It is difficult to quantify just how much SI's background report saved these companies in what could have been very costly and damaging decisions. What we can say is that our clients feel confident that we are an integral part of their Risk Management Program.
Your Risk Management Partner ... Because Integrity Matters
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Adventures in Deception
"SISTER ACT."
PROSPECTIVE CLIENT APPROACHES CPA FIRM WITH A PLAN TO TAKE ON THE UPSCALE FASHION MARKET
Outfitted with a nine-figure commitment from a giant equity investment firm, their business strategy for a chain of unique designer boutiques was a beauty. Marjorie and Megan had the trappings of success poised to ignite the market. The concept was custom component-based. The customer chooses a design and it is fabricated to her measurements using a series of size-graded piece goods. "Couture to go," if you will.
WERE THEY THE RIGHT FIT?
A Prospective Client Report was ordered by the firm's Risk Manager. It's good business to know with whom you are transacting prior to engagement, and on renewal for that matter (both are AICPA best practices). Anyway, this was going to be a big win. Plus, entry into the garment category, a first for the firm.
DOUBLE-TROUBLE
A history of ill deeds by the ladies exploded like a gusher: Filings of false information with the SEC, "cooking the books" in the millions of dollars, understating losses, felony charges for conspiracy to commit securities and mail fraud, civil lawsuits, arrest warrants, and on and on.
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP OR DON'T
A bittersweet outcome. The CPA's Managing Partner and Business Development Committee were really looking forward to having the sisters as a new client, expanding into the garment market, taking the client public, and forging a new alliance with the equity firm. But, having meetings in the federal penitentiary all-purpose room was not an option. Of interest, when word got back to the investors, they immediately engaged us for background investigations, because character counts...every time.
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