In a financially complex divorce, there are many traits you or your attorney should look for in the accounting firm you hire. Your financial professionals should focus on divorce (rather than just doing divorce cases on the side), honest about likely results, committed to amicable settlements, and flexible in their practice. Such professionals can be found at Berenfeld, a South Florida-based firm with eleven full-time matrimonial accountants.

Applying accounting skills to meet your needs

This firm is founded on the principles of integrity, flexibility, and applying skills to meet clients' needs. "There are two kinds of experts," says Philip J. Shechter, one of the firm's senior partners. "Those who tell you they can deliver something that's actually unattainable, and those who tell you from the beginning the most likely range of outcomes – and which ones are fair. We always tell clients the truth."

Berenfeld's approach is to develop a plan to help the parties settle the case amicably and maintain reasonable post-divorce lifestyles. "It's a life plan, as opposed to the goal of ‘winning'," explains Shechter. "The object is to plan how to survive, not to have a boxing match." The firm's CPAs aim to determine clients' needs and budgets realistically in order to work out a mutually beneficial settlement with their spouses.

Hands-on approach with big-firm resources

With a personnel body of 175, the firm has expertise in all areas of accounting and operates on a case-by-case basis. "We have a hands-on approach, with big-firm resources. Our divorce litigation group is made up of 15 professionals – including four partners who do mostly divorce litigation. Everyone in the department has, or is attaining, a Certified Valuation Analyst designation and has worked on more than 100 cases."

Even the rich and famous put their trust in the firm. Elgin Polo, another partner, specializes in forensic accounting and valuation matters for high-net-worth matrimonial litigation cases. A highly reputed professional, Polo is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. "Our focus is on the client's financial health after divorce," says Polo. "Forensic accounting and valuation are a huge part of that equation."

Flexibility, empathy, straightforwardness

Another of the firm's strengths is its flexibility in accommodating their clients' schedules and circumstances. "You should be ready for a rush or emergencies," says Shechter. "Usually, you're not dealing with long deadlines or ample time." Berenfeld works closely with clients, offering compassion, empathy, and straightforwardness. "We always have an initial face-to-face meeting with the client and the lawyer to go over the case strategy. Then we develop a rapport with the client, making sure they understand everything, because they need to rely on us."

Berenfeld's matrimonial accountants also work closely with clients' attorneys. "They're the captains of the ship," Shechter says. "We have to go through them to make decisions, though we offer our own opinions. We often help determine the case strategy. We have to work as a team."

Phil Shechter	Elgin Polo	Michael Everett	Michael O'Rourke

Professionalism, experience, integrity

Shechter, Polo, Michael Everett, and Michael O'Rourke have a high reputation in the court system for their professionalism, experience, and integrity. Along with its personalized services, this makes Berenfeld an ideal choice for any financially complex divorce. "We really care about our clients," says Shechter.

For more information, or to book an appointment, please contact:

www.bsss-cpa.com 

FAQs:

• "Is there any way of structuring support payments to lower my taxes?"
• "Am I entitled to any of my ex-spouse's benefits?"
• "How could my income taxes be affected by my divorce?"
• "I'm transferring some of my interest in an IRA to my spouse in our divorce."