| Like it or not, frauds are an inherent part of | | | | In your career you can look at investigating cases |
| business transactions in several companies. | | | | from divorce and bankruptcy to capital crime and |
| Investigating these frauds and ensuring that | | | | fraudulent transactions like money laundering. You |
| transparency and clarity exist in all the financial | | | | can find job opportunities with private |
| transactions of an organization is one of the main | | | | corporations, and government organizations like |
| objectives of an accountant's role. This has | | | | police departments, FBI and CIA. You can also |
| created an important career path for many | | | | look at employment opportunities with banks, |
| accounting professionals. | | | | public accounting firms, insurance companies and |
| Fraud investigation accounting is an important role | | | | law firms. |
| for several accounting professionals across the | | | | As a Fraud Investigator, you can start with a |
| globe. Many billions of dollars are lost in frauds and | | | | salary range of anywhere between $30,000 to |
| fraudulent activities across businesses and it is | | | | $60,000 and work your way up to a salary range |
| often the smaller businesses and the common | | | | of $125,000 to $150,000. |
| man who suffers at the end of such scenarios. It | | | | Your work profile will include investigating cases |
| is the chief role of every accountant to ensure | | | | involving unfair and deceptive business practices, |
| transparency and adherence to the law with | | | | insurance casualty claims, conducting civil and |
| respect to financial transactions of an organization. | | | | criminal investigations, interviewing people like |
| As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) you will | | | | complainants, employees and employers, |
| often be required to assist fraud investigators | | | | researching records, obtaining statements and |
| with their inquiries and searches for ensuring that | | | | depositions - all of this while adhering to legal |
| the financial transactions have been recorded | | | | requirements about gathering evidence. |
| accurately. However, there are several options | | | | As a Fraud Investigator, you will also write |
| available for you if you are interested in pursuing | | | | reports where you establish proof of facts and |
| a career in the field of financial fraud investigation. | | | | provide evidence that can be used in a court of |
| You can become a Fraud Investigator or | | | | law. You will present your completed investigation |
| Examiner by getting a degree in Forensic | | | | report to prosecutors, US Attorney's office or to |
| Accounting. Typically, you can start out by getting | | | | the Assistant Attorney General. You may also be |
| a degree in accounting, and also get your CPA | | | | called upon to testify in a court of law or such |
| certification. You can then work towards getting | | | | other proceedings with regard to your |
| your CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) or CrFA | | | | investigation. |
| (Certified Forensic Accountant) certification. Having | | | | So, as a Fraud Investigator you can look forward |
| experience working with a criminal justice agency | | | | to an exciting career of investigating and looking |
| or a criminal investigative agency will always come | | | | for illegal financial transactions within companies |
| in handy. | | | | and help the legal processes of the country. |