Hmm... does anyone know what forensic accountants do?

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Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Just read a mention of a forensic accountant in a case study; I'm assuming they specialize in analyzing fraud cases and prosecuting fraud cases. Anyone have any experience with this?

Cheers!
Nate
 

axelfox

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Oct 13, 1999
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they also testify in court as to how to split property in divorce cases, among other things.
 

vood0g

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Mar 5, 2004
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they analyze financial statements to detect any signs of possible fraud. kinda like auditors, but more specialized in fraud. i think the certification is CFE, but not sure about that one. about the same education as an accountant.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: vood0g
they analyze financial statements to detect any signs of possible fraud. kinda like auditors, but more specialized in fraud. i think the certification is CFE, but not sure about that one. about the same education as an accountant.

Oooh. Are they usually consultants, or would they probably work for an org like the FBI?
 

Legendary

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Jan 22, 2002
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I would think (speculation mostly) they work for either the govt (SEC, FBI) or private consulting (divorces and the like.) Just think, it was probably the 1930s equivalent of a forensic accountant that took down Capone.
 

vood0g

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Mar 5, 2004
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a company can hire forensic accountants to detect possible fraud that may be occuring in its own company, or forensic accountants can be hired by the government to do the investigation. basically anything is a possibility.
 

vood0g

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Originally posted by: Legendary
I would think (speculation mostly) they work for either the govt (SEC, FBI) or private consulting (divorces and the like.) Just think, it was probably the 1930s equivalent of a forensic accountant that took down Capone.


i could have sworn capone went down for tax evasion/fraud and not all the other sh1t that he committed. if that is true, then this just tells you to not screw with uncle sam once it comes to money.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: vood0g
Originally posted by: Legendary
I would think (speculation mostly) they work for either the govt (SEC, FBI) or private consulting (divorces and the like.) Just think, it was probably the 1930s equivalent of a forensic accountant that took down Capone.


i could have sworn capone went down for tax evasion/fraud and not all the other sh1t that he committed. if that is true, then this just tells you to not screw with uncle sam once it comes to money.

You are correct. Not sure what type of accountant did the investigating, 'cept from "The Untouchables" all I know is the guy was an agent of the treasury.
 

Triforceofcourage

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Feb 21, 2004
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Forensic Accountants can be called to the stand as expert witnesses and that most likely makes some serious coin. They also analyze companies financial statements and look for irregularities and fraud. Its definitely not a bad field at all. I was considering getting my masters in Forensic Accounting but I think I will probably just do the regular masters of accounting program and CPA it up :)
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
Forensic Accountants can be called to the stand as expert witnesses and that most likely makes some serious coin. They also analyze companies financial statements and look for irregularities and fraud. Its definitely not a bad field at all. I was considering getting my masters in Forensic Accounting but I think I will probably just do the regular masters of accounting program and CPA it up :)

Where can you go for a Masters in For. Acctg? I was thinking about my Masters of Prof. Acctg in Taxation and CPAing it up as well, but if there's a better route to go to try out Forensic Acctg I might consider it.
 

vood0g

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i was always under the impression that forensic accounting was something you concentrated on once you start your job. although there were courses in certain colleges that provided "forensic" accounting courses, you still graduated with an accounting degree. never knew there was a forensic accounting degree. i took the cpa for the first time last november and almost passed. failed each section by like 1-3 pts each. going to retake it next year.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: vood0g
i was always under the impression that forensic accounting was something you concentrated on once you start your job. although there were courses in certain colleges that provided "forensic" accounting courses, you still graduated with an accounting degree. never knew there was a forensic accounting degree. i took the cpa for the first time last november and almost passed. failed each section by like 1-3 pts each. going to retake it next year.

Neither did I. I'm going for my CPA in a year and a half, and I'm planning on going for either my Masters in Professional Acctg (taxation), my MBA, my JD, or maybe all three over a period of time. Not sure if I really need any of them, though. I would think that an MPAcc and a JD would come in most handy, though I would think that if I went the corporate route (maybe in systems design?) an MBA would come in handy.

Bah.
 

montanafan

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Nov 7, 1999
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Check with the U.S. Treasury Department or the Federal Reserve. I know that one of them will train you in forensic accounting if they hire you to investigate bank fraud.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: montanafan
Check with the U.S. Treasury Department or the Federal Reserve. I know that one of them will train you in forensic accounting if they hire you to investigate bank fraud.

Interesting...
 

CanOWorms

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
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They had one in an episode of The Sopranos. He was supposed to look into the mob boss's accounts. Maybe that's all TV and no real life though!
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
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Originally posted by: CanOWorms
They had one in an episode of The Sopranos. He was supposed to look into the mob boss's accounts. Maybe that's all TV and no real life though!

Apparently there is an actual CFE designation; it doesn't seem as clear-cut a career path, though.

I'll check out the CFE website and see if they have a Seattle contact.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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They also do work related to those who deal largely in cash. People that own vending machine companies, bars, etc. sometimes try to claim less than they actually made, and a forensic accountant can often go in and establish just how much they would have made.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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They also do work related to those who deal largely in cash. People that own vending machine companies, bars, etc. sometimes try to claim less than they actually made, and a forensic accountant can often go in and establish just how much they would have made.