Paul Smith
Wimborne,United Kingdom
Summary
I am an accomplished Financial Crime Expert and Trainer with over 25 years in law enforcement, specialising in forensic accounting and financial intelligence analysis. Holding an MSc in Forensic Accounting, I bring a robust blend of investigative expertise and specialised knowledge in anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, and sanctions law, informed by hands-on experience in the Cayman Islands supporting compliance within international sanctions frameworks. I have developed and delivered targeted anti-corruption and financial intelligence training across multiple jurisdictions, equipping professionals with the tools to detect, analyze, and mitigate financial crime risks. My training programs focus on practical outcomes, providing participants with essential forensic accounting and financial intelligence analysis techniques for real-world application. As an accredited investigator and certified trainer, I have led numerous international programs on illicit financial flows, forensic methodologies, and sanctions compliance, enhancing institutional capability to combat financial crime. In addition to my extensive training experience, I offer board-level advisory expertise in compliance and risk management, helping organizations strengthen governance structures through resilient, risk-based approaches. Recent roles include consulting for Guernsey's Economic and Financial Crime Bureau and leading a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation within a global fintech organization. With a comprehensive understanding of sanctions law and high-stakes investigations, I am well-prepared to deliver specialized training to organizations looking to enhance their forensic accounting and financial intelligence capabilities within dynamic regulatory landscapes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Lecturer
University of the West of England
Bristol, United Kingdom
09.2023 - Current
- Designed and taught courses on transnational organized crime, instructing undergraduates and postgraduates in financial investigation techniques
- Achieved a 95% course satisfaction rate from students
- Integrated insights from government and healthcare sectors, educating students on the unique financial crime risks faced by public institutions
- Delivered lectures on informal value transfer, transnational crime economics, and illicit financial flows, achieving high student satisfaction
- Increased student engagement by 40% through interactive case studies
- Adapted course content to address international case studies, ensuring relevance for a diverse student audience with global aspirations
Consultant Investigator, Forensic Accountant and international trainer
Paul Smith Consultancy Services Ltd
Dorset, United Kingdom
04.2017 - Current
- Provided forensic accounting and litigation support for family law, probate, and civil fraud cases, resolving complex financial disputes
- Contributed to favourable outcomes in cases worth over £10 million
- Supported sectors including government, financial services, and healthcare, equipping clients with targeted forensic investigation training
- Created and delivered forensic accounting training programs, empowering law enforcement and corporate teams in investigative skills
- Trained over 200 professionals, achieving a satisfaction rate of 4.9/5
- Developed custom training modules on digital forensic tools, enhancing proficiency in forensic software for over 200 law enforcement officers
- Conducted training sessions in Africa, Caribbean, the Middle East and Balkans, adapting curriculum to regional regulatory frameworks and cultural contexts
Consultant Trainer
AML Consulting
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
10.2024 - 11.2024
- Designed and delivered a course for financial investigators (Tanzania Anti Corruption Investigators) on advanced strategies, money laundering typologies, asset tracing, freezing, confiscation, forensic accounting, and repatriation in transnational crime
Consultant Investigator
Economic and Financial Crime Bureau, States of Guernsey
St Peter Port, United Kingdom
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Led forensic analysis in a large-scale Ponzi scheme investigation, advising on investigation methods and the integration of forensic accountancy expertise
- Advised on the recovery of assets worth over $10 million, benefiting over 50 victims
- Specialised in financial services sector investigations, focusing on large-scale fraud involving money laundering and illicit asset transfers
- Conducted financial intelligence analysis of 100+ bank accounts suspected of laundering proceeds of crime, yielding crucial insights for case advancement
- Directly contributed to the identification of 15 high-risk entities
- Leveraged data analytics tools, including Altia FIT, to streamline financial data analysis, increasing efficiency significantly
- Collaborated with international bodies to facilitate information exchange across jurisdictions
Consultant Trainer
UNODC
Remote, Somalia
10.2023 - 10.2024
- Designed and delivered a series of remote training sessions for investigators, border agencies, and law enforcement in Somalia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Kenya on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) related to human trafficking, smuggling, and terrorism
- Created curricula covering complex networks, key actors, red flags, critical resources, and legal strategies, with a focus on improving detection, enforcement, and prosecution outcomes
- Introduced forensic analysis of digital currency in IFFs, emphasizing 'pattern of life' transactions and money-laundering detection methodologies
- Addressed regional challenges, including Africa's annual financial losses, hidden crypto flows, evolving smuggling routes, and prosecution pitfalls
- Collaborated with local authorities to enhance investigative capabilities, ensuring alignment with international best practices and UNODC mandates
Independent Investigator
International Fintech Company
London, United Kingdom
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Company Overview: Business or sector: Financial and insurance activities
- Executed a multi-jurisdictional investigation into whistleblower allegations, upholding impartiality and ensuring integrity in findings
- Resolved the case within a record 4-month timeframe, preventing potential losses of £10 million
- Applied expertise in the fintech sector, addressing emerging risks related to cross-border compliance and regulatory challenges in digital finance
- Provided senior leadership with guidance on data collection and evidence-handling standards, fortifying regulatory compliance in cross-border operations
- Achieved 100% compliance with cross-border regulatory standards
- Managed complex investigation spanning multiple jurisdictions, ensuring alignment with various regulatory requirements across the EU, U.K and Asia
- Business or sector: Financial and insurance activities
Forensic accountant - Insolvency Investigation and Collaboration with Regulatory Bodies
09.2022 - 08.2023
- Collaborated with the Insolvency Service and HMRC on a high-profile case, uncovering regulatory lapses and exposing tax evasion and 'phoenixing' schemes, which led to strategic recommendations for regulatory improvements
- Identified and reported failings of the appointed insolvency practitioner to the Insolvency Service, ensuring accountability and improved oversight
- Facilitated the closure of 10 fraudulent businesses, enhancing regulatory compliance and protecting public interests
- Detected over £10 million in potential tax evasion, leading to corrective actions and safeguarding revenue
- Managed cross-border insolvency cases, coordinating with UK and offshore regulatory authorities to ensure alignment and consistency across jurisdictions
Senior Associate and Forensic Accountant (Contract)
Intelligent Sanctuary Ltd
London, United Kingdom
04.2021 - 07.2022
- Served as an in house forensic accountant advisor on complex international financial crimes
- Handled cases involving $50 million in assets, leading to successful asset recovery
- Supported litigation in both healthcare and financial services sectors, offering defence expert testimony on complex illegal money lending, money laundering and fraud cases
- Employed forensic software for asset tracing, enhancing case documentation and increasing accuracy by 30%
- Worked with international clients and adapted testimony to meet jurisdictional evidentiary standards across multiple countries
Fraud Investigator and Forensic Accountant
The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Remote, United Kingdom
12.2020 - 05.2021
- Investigated COVID-19 stimulus-related fraud, focusing on Bounce Back Loan Scheme discrepancies
- Identified $25 million in fraudulent claims, contributing to policy improvements
- Engaged in public sector investigations, specifically within government programs, to ensure integrity of COVID-19 relief funds
- Analysed turnover data for 10,000 SMEs, identifying high-risk fraud groups and advising on risk mitigation strategies
- Enhanced detection rates by 35% with risk-focused recommendations
- Interrogated and extracted case management data from multiple Governmental SQL databases to assist the criminal investigations for multiple law enforcement agencies
- Conducted virtual collaboration with agencies across multiple jurisdictions to benchmark best practices in pandemic-related fraud detection
Consultant forensic accountant
Sydney, Australia
01.2021 - 03.2021
- Led a hedge fund fraud investigation, concentrating on director accountability, financial tracing, and regulatory compliance
- Identified $20 million in director misappropriations, leading to legal action
- Conducted detailed forensic accounting and financial analysis, addressing hedge fund misconduct
- Traced over $50 million in transactions, exposing personal account transfers and record-keeping gaps
- Collaborated with Australian regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with regional standards, adjusting investigative techniques for local application
Manager and Senior Investigating Officer
Cayman Islands Bureau of Financial Investigation
George Town, Grand Cayman
10.2019 - 09.2020
- Led international anti-money laundering and terrorist financing investigations, mentoring junior investigators on forensic and analytical methods
- Oversaw cases with a total value of $400 million, improving team performance and asset recovery abilities
- Applied sector focus in financial services and government, focusing on compliance with FATF standards and AML protocols
- Counselled bureau leadership on FATF compliance, contributing to national regulatory standing
- Increased FATF compliance score by 10%, enhancing the country's regulatory reputation
- Utilised blockchain analysis tools to track cryptocurrency transactions linked to illicit activities, improving AML processes by 30%
- Managed cross-border investigations, coordinating efforts with U.S., Canadian, UK and Caribbean counterparts to ensure adherence to AML regulations
Consultant forensic accountant and fraud investigator
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Conducted a healthcare-related financial and procedural investigation, analyzing discrepancies and safeguarding breaches
- Uncovered £50k in misappropriated funds, leading to corrective action
- Specialized in healthcare sector fraud, addressing financial discrepancies and safeguarding compliance
- Compiled evidence from witness statements, transactions, and procedural documentation to form a clear case narrative
- Strengthened case outcomes with evidence-based findings used in legal proceedings
- Employed digital evidence management software to organize case files, improving efficiency in evidence retrieval by 20%
Detective Sergeant - Smarter Systems SME, Public Protection & Economic Crime
Dorset Police
Winfrith Newburgh, United Kingdom
08.2016 - 03.2017
- Analysed operational inefficiencies within Public Protection, recommending software enhancements
- Increased operational efficiency by 40% through process improvements
- Applied expertise in government and public protection, improving systems for fraud investigations involving vulnerable populations
- Investigated data relating to fraud targeting vulnerable individuals and collaborated on data-sharing improvements
- Reduced case resolution times by 25% by enhancing data integration
- Collaborated with software developers to enhance data-sharing software, streamlining information flow between agencies by 40%
- Worked with national and regional agencies to align fraud investigation standards across jurisdictions, ensuring consistent reporting practices
Detective Sergeant - Money Laundering Unit
Dorset Police
Poole, United Kingdom
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Led Dorset Police's Money Laundering Unit (MLU), overseeing a team focused on financial investigations into serious and organised crime, directly contributing to significant asset seizures
- Acted as the primary liaison for Level 2 (cross border) Financial Investigations, aiding in the identification and disruption of financial networks supporting criminal enterprises, which led to a 30% increase in asset recovery with over £3m in assets seized
- Supervised the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) Development Team, improving the quality of intelligence reporting and increasing actionable SARs by 25%, thanks to enhanced data analysis and training initiatives
- Collaborated closely with the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), providing intelligence and strategic recommendations, which streamlined consent procedures and increased investigative efficiency by 30%
- Enhanced investigative techniques by implementing advanced data analysis tools, such as SAR tracking systems (Athena), reducing analysis time and improving case clarity
- Established a cross-departmental task force focused on high-value money laundering operations, resulting in the interception of £300k in illicit transfers over six months
- Proficient in data analytics for financial investigations, utilising tools like i2 Analyst's Notebook and SAR technology systems (Athena and Elmer)
- Strong knowledge of UK anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, SAR compliance, and coordination with national agencies
Detective Sergeant - Confiscation Unit
Dorset Police
Poole, United Kingdom
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Led the Confiscation Unit at Dorset Police, achieving a 20% increase in criminal asset seizures within one year, recovering over £5m in proceeds from organised crime operations
- Acted as the primary liaison for Level 2 (cross border) Financial Investigations, targeting high-profile cases to successfully trace and confiscate assets, directly dismantling criminal financial structures
- Initiated and managed cross-departmental projects to optimise post-conviction confiscation, adding £3m in recovered assets and elevating annual recovery totals
- Demonstrated expertise in UK proceeds of crime legislation and asset recovery technologies, enabling effective identification, tracking, and legal compliance throughout asset confiscation initiatives
Detective Sergeant - Major Crime Investigation Team
Dorset Police
Bournemouth, United Kingdom
03.2007 - 03.2009
- Authored a Force Policy for managing live critical incidents, including kidnaps and blackmail, which strengthened investigative approaches and significantly reduced response times by approximately 30%
- Served as an advisor to senior detectives on high-stakes cases, enhancing case outcomes, and acted as the primary liaison with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) to streamline interagency operations
- Initiated and led the procurement of specialised software (Clio) for managing critical incidents, leveraging advanced data analytics and real-time reporting to enhance decision-making efficiency
- The software, utilised to manage part of the U.K
- Olympic Games is now used Force-wide
- Served as the case officer on high-profile investigations, including murder case, Class A drug trafficking and stranger rapes, ensuring meticulous case management and evidence handling, which contributed to a 99% conviction rate
- Recognised for exceptional case management in several high-profile trials, receiving commendations for the same
- Created analytical charts for use in court presentations for a drug trafficking prosecution, and rape investigations, employing advanced data visualisation skills
- This work was adopted as a training model and established as a presentation standard in Border Agency investigations, enhancing the accuracy and clarity of evidence interpretation for legal teams
Education
MSc - Forensic Accounting
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, United Kingdom01.2017
Tutor for Asset Confiscation Officers -
Serious and Organised Crime Agency (now part of the National Crime Agency)
Poole, United Kingdom01.2009
Asset Confiscators's course -
Serious and Organised Crime Organisation (now National Crime Agency)
Bristol, United Kingdom09.2008
Tutor for Financial Investigators -
Serious and Organised Crime Organisation (now part of National Crime Agency)
Poole, United Kingdom01.2008
Financial Investigator course -
Asset Recovery Agency (now National Crime Agency)
Bristol, United Kingdom11.2005
BSc (Hons) -
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterberry01-2002
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Drive
- Outlook
- Social Media
- Digital Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Skills
- Good Listener
- Written Skills
- Verbal Skills
- Team-work Oriented
- Presenting
- Organization
- Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Decision-making
- Good Time Management
- Analytical Skills
- Creative Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Motivated
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Reliability
- Responsibility
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 12/04/59
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: British
Hobbies and Interests
Yacht Racing - Active in competitive sailing, developing teamwork and strategic decision-making skills.
Languages
English, French
Digitalskills
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel, Zoom, Skype, Google Drive, Outlook, LinkedIn, Facebook, WhatsApp, Good listener and communicator, Written and Verbal skills, Team-work oriented, Presenting, Strategic Planning, Decision-making, Good time management, Critical thinking, Creativity, Problem-solving, Motivated, Ability to Work Under Pressure, Reliability, Responsibility
Communication Skills
Developed strong presentation skills through training and lecturing roles, delivering complex information to diverse audiences., Skilled in preparing detailed forensic reports and expert witness statements, ensuring clarity and accuracy for legal proceedings., Led investigation teams in high-stakes financial crime cases, mentoring junior investigators in forensic and analytical techniques., Extensive experience training law enforcement in Africa, the Middle East and Balkans, adapting content to diverse cultural and regulatory environments., Skilled in project management for multi-jurisdictional investigations, coordinating resources, and meeting tight deadlines., Strong collaborator with international teams on complex investigations, leveraging diverse expertise to achieve objectives.
Languages
English
Beginner
A1
French
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
Consultant Trainer
AML Consulting
10.2024 - 11.2024
Consultant Investigator
Economic and Financial Crime Bureau, States of Guernsey
04.2024 - 10.2024
Consultant Trainer
UNODC
10.2023 - 10.2024
Associate Lecturer
University of the West of England
09.2023 - Current
Independent Investigator
International Fintech Company
07.2023 - 06.2024
Forensic accountant - Insolvency Investigation and Collaboration with Regulatory Bodies
09.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Associate and Forensic Accountant (Contract)
Intelligent Sanctuary Ltd
04.2021 - 07.2022
Consultant forensic accountant
01.2021 - 03.2021
Fraud Investigator and Forensic Accountant
The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
12.2020 - 05.2021
Manager and Senior Investigating Officer
Cayman Islands Bureau of Financial Investigation
10.2019 - 09.2020
Consultant forensic accountant and fraud investigator
09.2018 - 05.2019
Consultant Investigator, Forensic Accountant and international trainer
Paul Smith Consultancy Services Ltd
04.2017 - Current
Detective Sergeant - Smarter Systems SME, Public Protection & Economic Crime
Dorset Police
08.2016 - 03.2017
Detective Sergeant - Money Laundering Unit
Dorset Police
01.2010 - 01.2011
Detective Sergeant - Confiscation Unit
Dorset Police
01.2009 - 01.2010
Detective Sergeant - Major Crime Investigation Team
Dorset Police
03.2007 - 03.2009
MSc - Forensic Accounting
University of Portsmouth
Tutor for Asset Confiscation Officers -
Serious and Organised Crime Agency (now part of the National Crime Agency)
Asset Confiscators's course -
Serious and Organised Crime Organisation (now National Crime Agency)
Tutor for Financial Investigators -
Serious and Organised Crime Organisation (now part of National Crime Agency)
Financial Investigator course -
Asset Recovery Agency (now National Crime Agency)
BSc (Hons) -
Canterbury Christ Church University