For those who may be interested in forensic accounting jobs, specialists in this field are semi-detectives. Forensic accountants specialize in uncovering fraud in major companies, revealing serious tax evasion attempts, corporate fraud, and other financial disputes. Some of the major cases that forensic accountants may have worked on the past include the Enron scandal and even the Bernie Madoff scheme. In both of these cases, accounting specialists worked around the clock to untangle the mess of both parties. In addition forensic accountants work closely with the attorneys who are prosecuting the companies or individuals who are found to be at fault.
Expertise and Skill Sets
Those who want to break into these types of forensic accounting jobs will need a bachelor's degree at a minimum. Company recruiters hardly ever advertise these careers on college campuses, however, because much more experience and expertise is usually needed. Many forensic accountant recruiters look for at least two to four solid years working at a financial institution.
If you're working as a financial controller or auditor then you may be in a good spot to move forward into forensic accounting careers. Auditors and controller careers require accurate fact-checking, precise number crunching, and investigation into various financial statements, similar skill sets that a forensic accountant will need.
In addition, those who would like to advance into the field need to be aggressive and love traveling. For example, if you work for a company in California and you're investigating a company on the East Coast then you may be conducting all of your work and investigations from somewhere on the East Coast. Specific jobs may last for months, and individuals who think that forensic accounting is what they want must be really passionate about what they're getting into.
Is Forensic Accounting Suitable for You?
Determining whether forensic accounting jobs are a good idea for you, required you take additional steps to see what the field is like. Individuals shouldn't expect to be hired straight out of college or after a couple of years of public accounting as mentioned. Rather, companies looking for forensic accounting specialists will usually look for someone who has taken courses in fraud examination or workshops on similar topics. Additional courses and classes can also be taken by those who would like to receive fraud training certifications. Taking these additional steps will not only set you apart from the rest of the crowd but also give you the chance to determine if forensic accounting and litigation is right for your skill sets and desires.
All in all, forensic accounting careers are not for the weak at heart. Those who have a desire to succeed, work on exciting projects uncovering massive company fraud and a passion for the work will find these careers most enjoyable and rewarding.
