| What do you get when you combine investigation | | | | best salary) you might also consider graduate |
| with accounting and auditing? You get the exciting | | | | school. A Masters Degree in Forensic Accounting is |
| field of Forensic Accounting. The word forensic | | | | now available, both as a traditional Masters degree |
| means "suitable for use in a court of law," and | | | | and also as a Masters of Business Administration |
| that is the high standard that Forensic | | | | with a focus in Forensic Accounting. Earning a |
| Accountants are held to. Forensic Accounting | | | | graduate degree serves dual purposes-it further |
| provides an accounting analysis that is suitable to | | | | trains you for work in the field, and also helps to |
| a court of law and is used to help resolve both | | | | fulfill the continuing education requirements that |
| civil and criminal cases. Forensic accountants often | | | | are needed to maintain your CPA status. |
| have to give expert evidence at trial. | | | | You will find that additional coursework in areas |
| What is a Forensic Accountant? | | | | like law enforcement and criminal justice is usually |
| Forensic accounting encompasses three main | | | | required, and some legal training is helpful. |
| areas: litigation support, investigation, and dispute | | | | Additionally, you may want to pursue an |
| resolution. Litigation support represents the factual | | | | accreditation as a certified fraud examiner (CFE) |
| presentation of economic issues related to | | | | from the Association of Certified Fraud |
| existing or pending litigation. In this capacity, the | | | | Examiners. This is a nationally recognized |
| forensic accounting professional quantifies | | | | accreditation similar to the CPA designation. |
| damages sustained by parties involved in legal | | | | Last but not least, you also may want to pursue |
| disputes and can assist in resolving disputes, even | | | | the Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA) |
| before they reach the courtroom. If a dispute | | | | accreditation. While this may seem on the surface |
| reaches the courtroom, the forensic accountant | | | | like a slam-dunk, in actuality this is a fairly new |
| may testify as an expert witness. | | | | certification and not every Forensic Accountant |
| Investigation is the act of determining whether | | | | has it. As the industry continues to evolve, |
| criminal matters such as employee theft, | | | | however, it may well become the standard. |
| securities fraud (including falsification of financial | | | | Forensic Accountant Career Outlook and Salary |
| statements), identity theft, and insurance fraud | | | | Forensic Accountants work in most major |
| have occurred. As part of the forensic | | | | accounting firms and are needed for investigating |
| accountant's work, he or she may recommend | | | | mergers and acquisitions, and in tax investigations, |
| actions that can be taken to minimize future risk | | | | economic crime investigations, all kinds of civil |
| of loss. Investigation may also occur in civil | | | | litigation support, specialized audits, and even in |
| matters. For example, the forensic accountant | | | | terrorist investigations. Forensic Accountants work |
| may search for hidden assets in divorce cases. | | | | throughout the business world, in public accounting, |
| Forensic accounting involves looking beyond the | | | | corporations, and in all branches of government. |
| numbers and grasping the substance of situations. | | | | Forensic Accounting firms are everywhere. |
| It's more than simple accounting, and more than | | | | If you do an Internet search, you'll find article |
| basic detective work. Because of its unique | | | | after article worrying that the demand for |
| elements, it is a combination that will be in | | | | Forensic Accountants far outstrips the current |
| demand for as long as human nature exists. Who | | | | supply. This translates into an anticipated growth |
| wouldn't want a career that offers such stability, | | | | in this field of nearly 25% over the next ten |
| excitement, and financial rewards? | | | | years! You would be hard pressed to find a more |
| Becoming a Forensic Accountant | | | | stable and in-demand career. |
| The first step toward becoming a Forensic | | | | You will most likely start out earning between |
| Accountant is taken by earning a Bachelor's | | | | $30,000 and $40,000 a year, according the |
| degree in accounting. This is a standard four-year | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics. But after just a few |
| degree available at most colleges and universities, | | | | years of experience in the field, you can easily |
| and many now offer this degree as a distance | | | | earn $70,000 to $80,000 a year. At the highest |
| learning option online. | | | | levels, particularly in the private sector, forensic |
| Next, you must prepare for and sit for the | | | | accountants can command $125,000 to $150,000 |
| Certified Public Accountant exam to become a | | | | annually. |
| CPA. There are also online prep courses available | | | | Forensic accountants are professionals who use a |
| to help you easily pass your CPA exam. | | | | unique blend of education and experience to apply |
| Once you've earned your Bachelors in Accounting | | | | accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to |
| and passed the CPA exam, you can begin | | | | uncover truth, form legal opinions, and assist in |
| practicing as a Forensic Accountant. However, to | | | | investigations. If this sounds like you, consider a |
| have the best foothold in the field (as well as the | | | | career in Forensic Accounting-you won't regret it! |