What's a forensic accountant?
"Forensic" means “suitable for use in a court of law.”
Forensic accountants analyze a variety of bookkeeping, financial, and tax documentation and use their specialized knowledge to uncover fraud or other financial crimes .
Does that sound like something you want to do?
What's Their Role In Society?
Forensic accountants provide society with financial security and safety.
Their findings are frequently used in a court of law as evidence when prosecuting tax evasion, embezzlement, money laundering, securities fraud, and any other crimes that can cost regular citizens billions.
They also assist governments in locating financiers of terrorism and perform other counterintelligence activities.
Quiz
Which type of court case is most likely to use a forensic accountant's findings?
What Common Tasks Are Part Of Their Job?
Forensic accountants:
Apply their deep knowledge of tax law and financial accounting practices.
Research and analyze bookkeeping and other financial documentation.
Write reports of their findings, which can be used as evidence in a court of law.
Work closely with attorneys, law enforcement, and other agencies that prosecute crime.
Provide courtroom testimony as expert witnesses.
Who Would Love This Job?
People who:
Have a passion for numbers (accounting, finance, taxation, etc.).
Enjoy analyzing complex documents to find patterns and discrepancies.
Are confident enough to serve as an expert witness in a court of law.
Who Would Hate This Job?
People who:
Don’t consider math a strength or don't enjoy performing calculations.
Like jobs that have a small, finite number of tasks that rarely change.
Get nervous when speaking in public or having their opinions challenged.
Quiz
Sia enjoys being the treasurer of her school's student government and she is captain of the debate team. Should Sia consider becoming a forensic accountant?
How Much Money Do They Get Paid?
Canada
Average annual salary:
$57,464 CAD
United States
Average annual salary:
$79,929 USD
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