\u201cFraud is a growth industry, unfortunately.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Andrew Bernstein, director of forensic and valuation\u00a0services, Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fraud does not limit itself to a specific industry\u2014it\u2019s happening everywhere. Forensic accountants can work in (or work for clients in) industries from real estate to entertainment to accounting itself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are 4 career areas to consider as you learn more about the role of a forensic accountant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the case of corporate fraud, forensic accountants conduct general fraud investigations by carefully analyzing company books and records. These professionals handle everything from damage analysis to testifying in court. Corporate forensic accountants try to piece together a puzzle to figure out how a fraudulent transaction occurred. Some accounting firms are adding\u00a0forensic accounting departments and employ CPAs that are Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs).<\/p>\n Forensic accountants who work in areas of corporate fraud may find themselves interviewing outside vendors and employees, investigating computer files, and digging through years of a corporation\u2019s financial records. Tax defense work is another area of corporate fraud that is handled by forensic accountants.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Forensic accountants who work in areas of employee fraud conduct investigations specific to employees\u2019 actions on the job. Breaches of contract, employee theft, and worker\u2019s compensation fraud<\/a> are a few examples of employee fraud that a forensic accountant may investigate.<\/p>\n Forensic accounting professionals can also work in areas of fraud prevention\u2014helping to develop processes and training for workplaces to reduce fraudulent behaviors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Forensic accountants that provide litigation support can do so in a variety of ways. For instance, a forensic CPA may be called to testify in court about, for, or against a particular corporation or individual. These professionals may also be used as consultants on a case or brought in as a subject matter expert during a trial. In their role as subject matter experts, forensic accountants are typically called to report on the economic damages suffered either by an individual or by a business.<\/p>\n The areas of forensic accounting that may require litigation services are broad, and many attorneys are retaining forensic accountants<\/a> even before litigation begins. Attorneys may look to these accounting professionals to translate complex financial information, to test or interpret financial documents, or to identify missing data.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dividing assets in divorce proceedings can prove difficult, especially when complex financial portfolios are involved. Enter the forensic accountant, who can help in several areas<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n Forensic accountants provide analysis of true income, classification of assets (are they owned jointly or separately), or personal financial records. Forensic accountants may also be called on to testify in cases of divorce litigation, on behalf of their client about a particular financial issue or asset.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The forensic accounting field continues to see high demand<\/a> and is predicted to grow in the coming years. Accounting in general also demonstrates a positive job outlook with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 13% growth rate<\/a> during the next 7 years.<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Corporate Fraud<\/h4>\n
2.\u00a0Employee Fraud<\/h4>\n
3.\u00a0Litigation<\/h4>\n
4. Divorce Teams<\/h4>\n
\n
Job Outlook and Career Growth<\/h4>\n