In this episode, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO Bret Schanzenbach sits down with Lisa Carroll, president of Number Crunching, Inc., to explore her unique career path and specialized expertise in uncovering financial deception.

Lisa shares her journey from humble beginnings in accounts payable and receivable to becoming a sought-after Certified Fraud Examiner. Initially recognized for her knack for unraveling messy financial records, she found her calling when an attorney asked her to testify in court on a fraud case. Encouraged by a judge who supported her despite lacking formal certification at the time, Lisa pursued and obtained her fraud examiner credentials, adding to decades of bookkeeping and accounting experience.

She explains how her upbringing in a family of attorneys sharpened her ability to handle courtroom pressure with confidence. Today, she specializes in forensic bookkeeping—uncovering financial fraud in both divorce proceedings and business disputes. From identifying fraudulent personal expenses buried in company books to exposing multimillion-dollar embezzlements, Lisa thrives on what she describes as solving “financial puzzles.”

Lisa emphasizes that her analyses are always “court-ready.” She tailors her reports so judges—who aren’t accountants—can understand them clearly while ensuring every conclusion is backed by documentation. In some cases, she even serves as a neutral third-party appointed by the court to provide unbiased findings. Her role bridges investigative accounting with courtroom clarity, offering attorneys and clients confidence in the integrity of her work.

Beyond business and family disputes, Lisa is passionate about protecting seniors from fraud. She highlights a staggering rise in financial scams targeting older adults, with estimated losses reaching nearly $20 billion annually. Drawing on her expertise, she partners with the FBI’s Elder Justice Task Force and local law enforcement to present workshops at senior centers and community events, educating attendees about tactics such as AI-driven voice cloning scams. Her advice is straightforward: hang up, verify directly with loved ones, and always file reports with police and the FBI’s IC3 system, even if the money seems unrecoverable.

Throughout the interview, Lisa’s enthusiasm for her work shines through. She describes each fraud case as a puzzle waiting to be solved and views her role as not only protecting financial integrity but also empowering individuals and businesses to take action when something feels wrong. For those seeking help—whether business owners, attorneys, or families—she encourages reaching out through her website, numbercrunchinginc.com, or by phone.

Carlsbad Podcast Social Links:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
X
YouTube

Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting