Not the Average Accounting Job: Crunching Numbers to Catch Bad Guys

By Gabriel Traverso
gabriel.traverso@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

If you think accounting jobs are dull, think again. Forensic accountants are essentially number-crunching detectives. The FBI relies on lawyers and accountants to bust financial crimes.

The FBI was born of the Progressive era at the start of the 20th century. At the time, the federal government had to exercise creative solutions in order to fight some forms of crime. When crimes were committed that were federal in scope but under local jurisdiction, the FBI often turned to the law and accounting to find a solution.

Under the supervision of the Attorney General, most of the original corps had a background in law. J. Edgar Hoover was a graduate of the George Washington University Law School.

A Forensic Accounting Degree Can Help You Get into Law Enforcement

If you’re drawn to law enforcement but are more comfortable working with numbers than people, the FBI might be the place for you. In today’s age of financial scandals, the FBI is in dire need of qualified auditors and certified accountants skilled in forensic accounting.

The term forensic accounting means that a scientific approach is employed by the accountant in order to reach a conclusion that can be used as evidence in a court of law. The FBI still uses these accounting methods to catch bad guys.

Fighting Crime with a Calculator

To succeed in this field, it’s important to have the right training. A degree in forensic accounting is the best academic track, and a Certified Public Accountant qualification is advisable. In addition, you must be detail-oriented and methodical in your work. These achievements can put you on track to getting into the FBI. The minimum academic requirement for an FBI job is a four-year degree. You will also need a minimum of three years in an accounting job.

If you love working with numbers and want to serve your country, then a career as an accountant with the FBI could be the ideal solution for you. Take a closer look at a forensic accounting degree and see if this might be your dream job.

Sources

Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Association of Forensic Accountants

About the Author

Gabriel Traverso is a freelance writer, independent musician, and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.