Author: Bill Doogue
Practice area: asic offences
Bill is a founding Director of Doogue + George, ranked by Doyle's Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026) and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1998 with over 30 years of experience in complex criminal and corporate matters. His depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Bill authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.
What is the offence of False accounting?
False accounting is an offence under section 83 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It concerns dishonest interference with accounts, records, or documents required for accounting purposes, and can include dishonestly furnishing accounts.
Key points
- Core allegation: Dishonest destruction, defacing, concealment, or falsification of an accounting record or document, or dishonest furnishing of accounts
- Focus of the case: Whether the conduct was done dishonestly with a view to gain for himself or another, or with intent to cause loss to another
- Where it’s heard: Magistrates’ Court or County Court
The maximum penalty for False accounting is level 5 imprisonment (10 years).
Common defences may include No documents were destroyed, falsified, hidden or created for financial gain; no financial gain was received; no loss was incurred to anyone.
Have you been accused of False Accounting? Our expert defence lawyers can assist you navigate the investigation and Court process. You should make time to have a confidential discussion with one of our experienced lawyers before you speak with investigators.
Interview
The purpose of any interview is for the investigator to obtain information from you which will help them prove the charge against you. An interview is not the forum where you explain your side of the story.
It is important that you speak with one of our lawyers before attending an interview so that you know what to expect. We can advise you of the questions you may be asked and what you are required to answer and what you are not obliged to answer.
This advice could be the difference between an acquittal and having to negotiate a resolution of charges with prosecutors at Court.
Pleading Not Guilty
If you decide to plead not guilty to an allegation of False Accounting, one of our lawyers can represent you in Court. Our lawyers are pro-active and will develop a defence strategy for you from the outset. Our lawyers are experienced in representing people accused of crimes that are disputed. Our lawyers will carefully take your instructions, explore gathering evidence which the investigators may have missed and request disclosure material which may highlight faults in the prosecution case.
Pleading Guilty
Before you decide to plead guilty to a charge of False Accounting it is worth your while to get an advice from one of our lawyers. Our lawyers will review the prosecution brief to determine if they have enough evidence to prove the charge. If they do, our lawyers will negotiate the summary with prosecutors to make sure it reflects what you say occurred. This could make a huge difference in the outcome.
Our lawyer will provide you with a plea strategy to help mitigate the penalty at court.
Sentencing
Sentencing in the higher courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 83(1) — 30 charges, higher courts, 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2024.
| Sentencing outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 86.7% |
| Community Correction Order | 13.3% |
The data demonstrates that a custodial sentence is the overwhelmingly likely outcome for this offence at this level, reflecting the seriousness with which the courts treat dishonest conduct involving financial records. Non-custodial options are comparatively rare. In determining penalty, the court will examine the scale of the dishonesty, the amount of money involved, breach of trust, prior history and any evidence of restitution or rehabilitation. Detailed preparation and strategic advocacy are essential where the risk of imprisonment is substantial.
Examples of False Accounting
- The Director of a company destroys documents about the company’s offshore accounts.
- An employee at a company hides documents about company assets.
- An accountant for a firm creates false documents about the firm’s investors.
Defences
- No documents were destroyed, falsified, hidden or created for financial gain.
- There was no financial gain received from any false accounting.
- There was no loss incurred to anyone from any false accounting.
There are other possible defences, depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged offending. Each matter is unique and requires an individual approach and strategy.
Questions in cases like this
- Was there any false accounting?
- Was there any financial gain?
- Was there a loss to someone else or another company?
- Can they prove there was false accounting?
- Can they prove there was financial gain or loss?
Maximum penalty and Court that deals with this charge
The maximum penalty for this offence is level 5 imprisonment (10 years).
This charge may be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the County Court.
Legislation
The section that covers this offence is section 83 of the Crimes Act 1958.
Were documents falsified?
What is the legal definition of False Accounting?
False Accounting is when a person dishonestly destroys, falsifies or conceals accounts; resulting in financial gain or loss to another. It is also when a person dishonestly furnishes accounts.
