| Forensic accountants work in two primary areas, | | | | investigations and professional negligence issues. |
| investigative accounting and litigation support. | | | | Other forensic accountants work for or with |
| Investigative accounting encompasses not just | | | | insurance companies to investigate business |
| the numbers and documents of a company, but | | | | interruption and other types of claims. Forensic |
| the business environment as well. Forensic | | | | accountants routinely work for or with law |
| accountants investigate the financial operations of | | | | enforcement agencies, lawyers, insurance |
| an enterprise and prepare information that may | | | | companies, business owners and government |
| be used in a criminal or civil court case. Forensic | | | | agencies. |
| accountants provide investigative services or | | | | About 40% of the top 100 accounting firms in |
| provide support for litigation. | | | | the United States now have a forensic accounting |
| Forensic accountants will often spend time at the | | | | department, and the field is expected to be one |
| business they are investigating, collecting and | | | | of the top 20 job markets in the next few years. |
| analyzing financial data. Most of this analysis is | | | | How do you become a forensic accountant? A |
| done on the computer, so good computer skills | | | | bachelor's degree in accounting is required, and |
| and knowledge of software is essential to this | | | | most are already certified public accountants |
| position. The forensic accountant will collect | | | | (CPA's). Additional coursework in areas like law |
| evidence and documentation that may be used in | | | | enforcement and criminal justice is usually |
| a courtroom proceeding, and will prepare reports | | | | required, and some legal training is helpful. You |
| to be used the management of the company | | | | may want to pursue a accreditation as a certified |
| being investigated, parties to the litigation or law | | | | fraud examiner (CFE) from the Association of |
| enforcement agencies. Often, the forensic | | | | Certified Fraud Examiners. This is a nationally |
| accountant will be required to testify in court or | | | | recognized accreditation similar to the CPA |
| provide depositions as to their findings. | | | | designation. |
| Forensic accountants are employed by a variety | | | | Entry salaries in this field range from upwards of |
| of companies and agencies. Many law | | | | $30,000 to $60,000, but experienced forensic |
| enforcement agencies have forensic accountants | | | | accountants often exceed $100,000 per year and |
| on staff to assist with criminal investigations. | | | | more. |
| Often, these accountants follow the money trail | | | | So, if you are looking for a lucrative, interesting |
| to help track and prosecute a criminal. Many CPA | | | | job with plenty of upward mobility, consider |
| firms have forensic accountants on staff, and | | | | forensic accounting. With almost unlimited growth |
| more firms are specializing in forensic accounting | | | | for the next few decades, it's an accounting job |
| to assist with shareholder and partnership | | | | with great potential. |
| disputes, business loss, fraud or employee theft | | | | |