

However, non-CFEs earn a median salary of $73,560.

Salary and Job GrowthĪccording to the 2020 ACFE Compensation Guide for Anti-Fraud Professionals, the median compensation for a certified fraud examiner (CFE) is $95,937.
#Accounting outlook professional#
The FBI looks for accountants with professional experience in forensic accounting, government accounting, public accounting, financial services, litigation support and dispute services, and corporate accounting and internal auditing.

They must be able to understand the overall big picture of a legal case create a financial picture of a case and communicate it internally and externally identify suspicious transactions, entities or activities and uncover potential leads significant to the investigative team. Working with the FBIįorensic accountants interested in working for the FBI must meet specific requirements. These professionals most commonly work as investigators or internal auditors for banking and financial services, educational institutions, government and public administration organizations, health care organizations and insurance companies.

Work Settings and Job Functionsįorensic accountants work in a variety of settings, such as public accounting firms’ forensic accounting divisions, consulting firms specializing in risk consulting, law offices, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and financial institutions. Finally, they should hone critical forensic accounting skills, including reporting, objectivity, interpersonal communication and attention to detail. Individuals interested in becoming forensic accountants should start with earning a relevant degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s in forensic accounting, accounting or a related field, and then consider licensing options, such as certified fraud examiner (CFE) or certified public accountant (CPA). Forensic Accountant CareerĪ forensic accountant’s job responsibilities include conducting forensic research to trace funds and identify assets, analyzing financial data, preparing reports that summarize financial findings, preparing analytical data for litigation and testifying in court. Furthermore, it can play an important role in the investigation of construction claims, product liability claims and trademark or patent infringements. It can help to uncover hidden assets in divorce cases or handle civic matters, including breaches of contract, tort (a law that protects and compensates people who have been injured by the negligence, recklessness or intentional acts of wrongdoers) and breaches of warranty.įorensic accounting can also determine the economic result of the breach of a nondisclosure agreement or a noncompete agreement. Forensic Accounting Applicationsįorensic accounting has many applications. For example, forensic accountants employed by the FBI can expect to work on complex cases and investigate large financial schemes. Applications and Careers in Forensic AccountingĮxperienced forensic accountants’ skills are applicable across a variety of cases and settings. Organizational management may use a forensic audit report to seek restitution or strengthen internal controls, law enforcement agencies may use it to file criminal charges, and the judiciary system may use it to prosecute fraud. It describes internal control weaknesses, alleged acts of malfeasance, and recommendations to address and resolve those weaknesses.
#Accounting outlook how to#
Unlike accountants, forensic accountants must know how to collect evidence of a financial crime, interview third-party witnesses and testify as an expert witness.Ī forensic audit aims to discover who committed the fraud, how they did it, how much they stole and how to prevent it from occurring again in the future. Forensic Accountingįorensic accounting refers to accounting suitable for use in a court of law. Dispute resolution is when the forensic accountant examines and interprets legal facts and evidence and testifies as an expert witness in court. Investigation is when the forensic accountant identifies evidence of criminal matters, such as employee theft or insurance fraud. Litigation support is when the forensic accountant provides financial evidence to quantify the damage suffered by parties involved in a legal dispute. The three aspects of forensic accounting are litigation support, investigation and dispute resolution. Forensic accounting combines accounting, auditing and investigative skills to uncover evidence supporting the conviction of financial-crime perpetrators.
