Paul Fontanot

Partner – Financial Advisory
Forensic Consulting

With over 28 years in professional services spanning accounting, consulting, and law, Paul has led complex engagements across government, financial services, energy, resources, construction, and technology sectors. His work includes large-scale investigations, regulatory inquiries, cyber incidents, litigation support, and risk transformation programs. Clients engage Paul when they face sensitive, high-pressure issues that demand both analytical precision and sound judgment. Paul differentiates himself through how he works – integrating multidisciplinary teams, leveraging technology, and creating collaborative environments that bring clarity and momentum to challenging situations.

Paul has built and scaled national forensic and technology practices at both EY and Clayton Utz, leading diverse teams of accountants, data scientists, engineers, and lawyers. He takes pride in developing people and building sustainable capability – from graduate programs to senior leadership coaching – ensuring the next generation of professionals are equipped to think critically, act ethically, and deliver excellence.

Paul contributes to the community through board and community roles, including as Chair of Abbotsleigh School Council, where he led governance and strategy initiatives. Paul regularly engages with professional networks and industry associations to advance standards in forensic practice, technology adoption, and ethical leadership. 

Experience 

Key engagements included:

• Forensic investigation and expert court testimony in [2017] NSWSC 476 (CEO/director asset misappropriation).
• Investigations for state government agencies (NSW, QLD, NT), banking Royal Commissions, and high-value corporate frauds.
• Investigated allegations of "Cabinet in Confidence" documentation being leaked to the media.
• Conducted an investigative audit into an international Provident Fund following concerns raised publicly alleging nepotism and mismanagement.
• Investigated corrupt employee who manipulated the accounting processes to defraud the insurer.
• Investigated superannuation fraud whereby an employee used inside information to arbitrage his super fund.  Also assisted with the quantification of the loss for insurance purposes.
• Performed agreed forensic data analysis on the accounts payable and claims data to assess risk of fraud, identify and/or quantify potential control breakdowns
• Forensic investigation at a Private Health Network – QLD, into conflict-of-interest allegations.
• Assisted AusAID in investigating a whistleblower allegation of improper conduct, involving the inflation of certain product and service prices by one expatriate officer of the project. 
• Investigated an Employee/Vendor Fraud – $22 million for a large construction company. 
• Investigated claims of mismanagement of various companies set up to administer the construction of various buildings.
• Investigated the financial misconduct of a CEO, after discovering the abuse of trust, corporate credit card and running personal expenses through the company, which resulted in his suspension.
• Investigating share options exercised and shares traded without proper authority and regard to the process that should have been followed.
• Investigated Financial Statement Fraud, whereby acting CFO manipulated accounts before presenting them to the auditors. 
• Forensic Investigation into a formal complaint to the Chairman of an ASX listed entity about people issues and non-reporting of non-compliance matters.  
• Investigated and quantified an accounting fraud and asset misappropriation by a director of a leisure resort. 
• Appointed the Probity Advisor for Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust to evaluate whether the tender process was conducted in a fair and equitable manner with due regard to probity.