Leonid’s Adam Nelson catches up with Hinesh Shah, Partner at Pinsent Masons, who shares his expert perspective on the current state of forensic accounting in the UK and what firms should be preparing for in the months ahead. Drawing on his experience investigating financial crime, working abroad in Dubai, and moving between big firms and in-house teams, Hinesh reflects on how different environments have shaped his career.
The pair cover several key themes, including:
- Career pivots and global experience: Hinesh talks about his early days at PwC, the leap into forensic accounting at 18 years old and how working in the Middle East broadened his perspective and skillset.
- Big firm vs. in-house life: Exploring the differences between PwC and Pinsent Masons, Hinesh discusses scale, team structure, and type of work.
- Breadth of experience matters: From financial crime investigations to bribery and compliance reviews, he emphasises the value of trying a bit of everything to develop versatility in the field.
- Skills for the future: Hinesh highlights emerging trends, including crypto investigations, AI and tech-driven analysis. Advice for aspiring forensic accountants: They discuss how to impress in interviews and not to underestimate the value of energy and enthusiasm when starting out in forensic accountancy.