1. Forensic Accountant Steven Auerbach

2. Forensic Accountant  Forensic accountants are experienced auditors and investigators of financial documents who look into fraudulent activity within a company.  Hired by companies to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place.  Often used for divorce, bankruptcy, insurance claims, fraudulent claims and tracking terrorism via financial records.  Work closely with law enforcement and are often called upon to provide information in the court room.

3. Prerequisites  Must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Accounting, Business, and Finance.  Have knowledge of money laundering, insurance claims, telemarking fraud, credit card fraud, tax evasion, etc.  Good social skills, independency, credibility and attention to detail are skills needed.

4. Application in the Law  Forensic accountants track the financial records of suspects who have been associated with crimes.  Large deposits/withdrawals of money from banks without notification are often those of illegal activities  In court, FA’s do not provide biased opinions, only facts and expertise.

5. Enron Scandal  Enron, ranked 6 th on the Fortune 500 list in 2001, filed for bankruptcy.  Total debts to stockholders and assets about $13.6 billion.  Accountants filed returns for the stockholders and assets in order to get their money back from the fraudulent company.  Revealed by forensic accountants later that Enron did not pay a single dollar of their federal income tax in 2000.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages  Can yield high pay if you are a CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner).  Helps businesses cut back on wasteful spending.  Forensic accountants are exposed to blackmail and threats from the individuals that they help convict.  The higher your degree is, the more likely you will find a job.

7. Employment  You can get a job as a forensic accountant in any business or law firm.  There is always opportunity for a forensic accountant because companies can always use the added security against fraud.

8. Salary

9. Related Careers  Document examiners  Latent Print examiners  Forensic accountants and Forensic analysts work closely when dealing with contracts, documents, and checks.