Forensic Accountants and Auditors

High School

If you are interested in entering this field, take as many math, accounting, and computer classes as possible in high school. You also should take business classes, because forensic accountants must understand basic business procedures in order to assess business interruption losses. Forensic accountants who eventually form their own accounting firms also will need management and administrative skills. Business classes can offer you a solid foundation in these areas.

Writing, speech, and communication classes are extremely useful courses to take. A forensic accountant's value to clients depends entirely on his or her ability to provide credible reports and convincing testimony for trial. For this reason, forensic accountants must be able to write clear, organized reports. They must be able to speak clearly and audibly in courtrooms. They must appear poised and confident when speaking publicly, and they must be able to convey complicated information in comprehensible language.

Postsecondary Training

Once in college, you should major in accounting or major in business administration with a minor in accounting. Also included in your course of study should be computer classes, as well as English or communication classes.

In the past several years, a few colleges (such as Carlow University, Franklin University, Ohio University, and Waynesburg University) have started offering degrees and concentrations in forensic accounting, but most students still prepare for this field by majoring in accounting and learning forensic accounting techniques on the job. Typical classes in a forensic accounting degree program include Fraud Examination, Interviewing Techniques for Fraud Investigation, Legal Elements of Fraud, and Corporate Governance/Internal Control Assessment.

Some organizations prefer to hire accountants with master's degrees in accounting or master's in business administration. So, depending on what company you want to work for, you may need to continue your education beyond the college level.

Certification

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA)offers a Fundamentals of Forensic Accounting Certificate Program that features 19 required educational modules. Those who complete the program will receive a basic understanding of the following areas: bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization, computer forensic analysis, economic damages calculations, family law, financial statement misrepresentation, valuation, and fraud prevention, detection, and response. Contact the institute to learn more. Some colleges and universities—such as Georgetown University, Illinois State University, and Carlow University—offer undergraduate and graduate certificates in forensic accounting and auditing.

Other Education or Training

Keeping up with industry trends is key to being a successful accountant and auditor, and many associations require the completion of continuing education (CE) credits as a condition of membership or re-certification. Organizations that provide CE opportunities include the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, AICPA, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, National Association of Forensic Accountants, and the National Society of Accountants. Contact these organizations for more information.