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Message
Any CPA's ever ventured into a forensic accounting position?
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:17 pm
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:17 pm
I recently obtained my CPA. I've been working at a public accounting firm for two years now. I've done tax preparation and auditing while there (auditing is primarily local governmental units and school districts, but some work on NFP's and also corporations).
I don't want to be in public forever, and Ive been looking into my future options. I think forensic accounting for the FBI/CIA or a similar entity sounds intriguing. My question, for those with knowledge, would be the following-
What is the work like?
How hard is it to get in?
Would an additional certification, like the CFE, be worth pursuing to help me?
What other interesting options would you recommend a young CPA with 2-3 years experience to look into? Both career and certification wise?
All advice welcome, would greatly appreciate it
I don't want to be in public forever, and Ive been looking into my future options. I think forensic accounting for the FBI/CIA or a similar entity sounds intriguing. My question, for those with knowledge, would be the following-
What is the work like?
How hard is it to get in?
Would an additional certification, like the CFE, be worth pursuing to help me?
What other interesting options would you recommend a young CPA with 2-3 years experience to look into? Both career and certification wise?
All advice welcome, would greatly appreciate it
8
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:21 pm to Tigerfan56
Industry is where it's at
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:21 pm to Tigerfan56
I think they come looking for you, my father was a CPA and early in his career he was approached by the FBI for what you are describing, he declined their offer, later in his life he wondered how that career would have worked out, but said he was glad he did not do it, did not want to put family at that risk 
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:26 pm to Tigerfan56
Postal Inspector Office - Forensic Accounting
Get all the education you want - make sure your employer pays for it
Bust your arse for a decade then do contract work - or a federal job.
get as much IT education as you can - the two fields are rapidly merging
Go to every damn conference and CPE event you can and make your employer pay - network at these events
Get all the education you want - make sure your employer pays for it
Bust your arse for a decade then do contract work - or a federal job.
get as much IT education as you can - the two fields are rapidly merging
Go to every damn conference and CPE event you can and make your employer pay - network at these events
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:27 pm to liz18lsu
Got out of public in January. 1/2 the work, 20% pay increase and you don't have to deal with any shitty clients (assuming you've been assigned some, which we all have).
I've thought about what the OP is describing but I'd imagine you'd have to be willing to relocate...often.
I've thought about what the OP is describing but I'd imagine you'd have to be willing to relocate...often.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:35 pm to Tigerfan56
You're getting horrible advice on this thread. You need to go to work for a different CPA firm where you can get experience auditing public corporations. Do that for 2 years. Then go to work at a manager position or higher at a public corporation. This is all about making the most money possible. The path I've given you will do that for you.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:41 pm to Jabstep
You made the right decision starting off in public accounting...gives you a very good base from which to move. Seen many clients pick off someone on their audit team when it's time to hire someone. I've been on the industry side for quite a while, but started off in public acctg. Don't know much about forensic accounting, but it's probably pretty interesting.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:43 pm to Spindicus Lofrus
quote:
You need to go to work for a different CPA firm where you can get experience auditing public corporations.
So Big 4? I've always been under the impression they did 90% of the public firms. Is it common for a CPA to go to work for a Big 4 as a staff after working at a smaller firm? I assume most/all of their staff started with them
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:47 pm to Tigerfan56
PS...the Texas guy is right about IT and accounting merging. Wish I had more of an IT background.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 8:22 pm to tiger81
I do financial accounting (though I am nothing close to an accountant) so my opinion is this.
1. Auditors suck.
2. Yes, IT and accounting is merging. Which sucks because IT and technology sucks.
3. The type of forensic position really matters. Are you doing same day analysis to ensure legal compliance? Depending on the organization, that's super stressful.
1. Auditors suck.
2. Yes, IT and accounting is merging. Which sucks because IT and technology sucks.
3. The type of forensic position really matters. Are you doing same day analysis to ensure legal compliance? Depending on the organization, that's super stressful.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 8:26 pm to tiger81
quote:yeah I know a few CIO's that are CPA's and former big 4 audit managers, the disciplines are merging quickly .
PS...the Texas guy is right about IT and accounting merging. Wish I had more of an IT background.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 8:33 pm to Tigerfan56
I have a friend who does this stuff for the FBI. She is very good at it apparently and really loves it
Posted on 7/24/16 at 8:47 pm to Tigerfan56
Big 4 right out of school FTW. I have since switched to a small public accounting firm and have enjoyed the decrease in hours and stress. Big 4 experience has been valuable and I bet it would look good when applying for forensic accounting role. Maybe look at getting your CFE as well. Experience on public clients is valuable because it helps with getting to know an integrated audit, which forces you to obtain IT knowledge about your client as well.
This post was edited on 7/24/16 at 8:49 pm
Posted on 7/24/16 at 8:50 pm to Tigerfan56
quote:
Is it common for a CPA to go to work for a Big 4 as a staff after working at a smaller firm? I assume most/all of their staff started with them
It is most common that their staff start with them but they welcome experienced hires. Be forewarned that it is much more intense than small CPA firm work. Not trying to sound like a douche just trying to be realistic.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 9:09 pm to JumpingTheShark
quote:
It is most common that their staff start with them but they welcome experienced hires. Be forewarned that it is much more intense than small CPA firm work. Not trying to sound like a douche just trying to be realistic.
Im aware. Two of our managers worked Big 4 before coming here. Which is why I don't even want to entertain the option, unless I have to. After all, I'm trying to move out of public. I understand it's great experience but seems silly to change jobs to Big 4 now, just to get better experience and change industries later
Posted on 7/24/16 at 9:25 pm to Tigerfan56
I just came here to say frick the Big 4.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 9:46 pm to athenslife101
I work in IT and find it fulfilling. I could never imagine myself as an Accoutant.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 10:13 pm to Breauxsif
Everywhere is different. There's one IT guy is exceptionally great and I'll leave it at that.
And I don't know if i could be considered an accountant. I do some accounting stuff but it's more management than anything else.
And I don't know if i could be considered an accountant. I do some accounting stuff but it's more management than anything else.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 10:43 pm to Tigerfan56
Accounting seems like the most boring profession someone could do for money.
Posted on 7/25/16 at 3:48 pm to AUCE05
My wife is a big 4 forensics manager with CPA, CFE, money laundering certs etc. she would not have the first clue how to do traditional accounting work. I think big 4 forensics is more like a consulting role vs being an auditor and assigned to particular clients. Her job is mostly travel to wherever some emergency is. Also, forensics at her firm gets a substantial salary bump versus say an audit person at same level (20/25percent). And never a busy season...
Regarding fbi/cia jobs... One of those offered her a job last year. Offer was roughly half of her then salary.... No thanks.
Regarding fbi/cia jobs... One of those offered her a job last year. Offer was roughly half of her then salary.... No thanks.
This post was edited on 7/25/16 at 4:51 pm
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