KordaMentha has launched a new risk management service to cater to the growing market and provide alternative services to the big four firms.

The new “forensic practice” is called KordaMentha Forensic, and will provide services that include fraud risk management, advice on anti-money laundering and computer forensics as well as data analytics.

“KordaMentha Forensic is well placed to take advantage of opportunities where the big four auditing firms have conflicts which have been a growing issue in recent times,” Mark Korda said.

He said the firm’s forensic practice would provide a broader range of services, building on KordaMentha’s strong relationship with legal firms and using skills gained from recent investigations such as the collapse of the Westpoint Group of companies.

The new practice will be led by Richard Bennison, formerly with Deloitte Forensic. An accountant and former New South Wales Police Fraud Squad member, he specialises in investigations and fraud risk management.

Bennison said the demand for forensic specialists had increased substantially in recent years because of the spread of sophisticated computer technology, the increasing complexity of commerce and the law, and the heavier emphasis on governance and risk management.