Should I be a forensic accountant?

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?

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Canada

Average annual salary:

$57,464 CAD

United States

Average annual salary:

$79,929 USD

Think forensic accounting might be the career path for you?