Areas of Expertise: Forensic Accounting; Fraud; Economic Damages; Forensic Economics; Construction Claims & Disputes.
Michael J. Fernald, CPA, CFE, PI, is the founder of {the} Fernald firm, LLC in Austin, Texas — a boutique forensic accounting and expert-witness practice serving attorneys and businesses nationwide.
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND
Michael is a retired Special Agent of IRS Criminal Investigation (2000-2024) with 21+ years of federal law enforcement experience. During his tenure, he directed and conducted complex investigations into white-collar crime, investment fraud, Ponzi schemes, embezzlement, bank and wire fraud, and international money laundering — including cases involving third-party money launderers, transnational criminal organizations, and Mexican drug trafficking organizations (Los Zetas, Gulf Cartel).
As a member of a federal money laundering task force and the DOJ-led multi-agency Suspicious Activity Report review team, Michael developed deep expertise in Bank Secrecy Act compliance, FinCEN reporting requirements (CTR, CMIR, SAR), and equitable tracing of commingled funds through nominee accounts, shell entities, and cross-border layering structures.
Michael has been designated as a money-laundering expert and summary witness in multiple federal criminal trials, grand jury proceedings, and detention hearings involving cumulative loss amounts exceeding $200 million.
CIVIL LITIGATION PRACTICE
In private practice at {the} Fernald firm, LLC, Michael provides forensic accounting, expert witness testimony, and litigation support to attorneys and businesses nationwide. Representative civil engagements include:
- Complex fund tracing across multi-entity structures — including a single matter tracing over $160 million in deposits and downstream transfers across multiple commercial bank accounts
- BSA/AML compliance evaluation of FinCEN-registered Money Services Businesses in fraud-recovery litigation
- Court-appointed forensic accountant in receivership matters involving partner malfeasance, commingling, and financial mismanagement
- Construction fund misapplication analysis under the Texas Construction Trust Funds Act
- Employment and partnership compensation analysis
- Point-of-Sale and cash management forensic analysis
- Whistleblower investigations — assisting counsel with IRS whistleblower claim preparation
CREDENTIALS & EDUCATION
- Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), UT Austin — McCombs School of Business
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA), UT Austin — McCombs
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Texas
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Licensed Private Investigator (PI), Texas — License A28599601
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) — national + Austin Chapter
- Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI)
CASE ACCEPTANCE
Civil (plaintiff and defense), criminal (consulting and defense), and court-appointed (receivership, special master). Conflict check required on every new matter.
Rate: $450/hour consultation and analysis; $550/hour testimony (deposition and trial).
Languages: English