According to the Technical Working Group on Education in Fraud and Forensic Accounting, forensic-accounting is the application of accounting principles, theories, and disciplines to facts or hypotheses at issue in a legal dispute, and encompasses every branch of accounting knowledge.
There are two major aspects within forensic-accounting practice; litigation services that recognize the role of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as an expert or consultant and investigative services that make use of the CPA's skills, which may or may not lead to courtroom testimony.
Forensic-accounting can involve the application of special skills in accounting, auditing, finance, quantitative methods, certain areas of the law and research, and investigative skills to collect, analyze, and evaluate evidential matter and to interpret and communicate findings.
Fraud Related Definitions
Fraud (sometimes referred to as the fraudulent act) is "an intentional perversion of truth for the purpose of inducing another in reliance upon it to part with some valuable thing or to surrender a legal right; a false representation of a matter of fact." (Henry Campbell).
Fraud examination is a methodology for resolving fraud allegations from inception to disposition, including obtaining evidence, interviewing, writing reports and testifying.
Fraud investigation takes place when indicators of fraud, such as missing cash or other evidence, suggest that a fraudulent act has occurred and requires investigation to determine the extent of the losses and the identity of the perpetrator.
Fraud prevention refers to creating and maintaining environments where the risk of a particular fraudulent activity is minimal and opportunity is eliminated.
Fraud deterrence refers to creating environments in which people are discouraged from committing fraud. Deterrence is usually accomplished through a variety of efforts associated with internal controls and ethics programs that create a workplace of integrity and encourage employees to report potential wrongdoing. Fraud deterrence can also be achieved through the use of continuous monitoring/auditing software tools.
Fraud remediation refers to the recovery of losses through insurance, the legal system or other means and the modification of operational processes and procedures, including changes to the system of internal control deemed necessary to minimize or deter a recurrence of similar fraud in the future.
Forensic-Accounting Career Information
The following link relates to accountants and auditors in general but it will be still be of use to anyone considering a forensic- accounting career. Topic areas covered include:
This 4-year degree program will provide the skills you need to detect risk and recommend protective measures. Organizations that employ forensic accountants include insurers, banks, major accounting firms, large corporations, law firms and government.
This is to some degree a multi-disciplinary program, drawing on various fields to prepare students for a specialized career field.
Accounting courses include preparation for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam.
Business courses include business law, ethics, finance and fraud examination.
Criminal justice courses include investigation processes and procedures.
Computing studies include information security, data and networks, and computer forensics.
Legal courses include a student of American legal systems.
Offered on campus and online, the 4-year degree in forensic- accounting can be completed in 36 months of full-time study.
The forensic-accounting degree directory is designed to help anybody thinking about becoming a certified forensic accountant obtain information relating to relevant degree programs and study options.
All the programs listed include details of the type of degree on offer, along with a direct link to the department offering the course in question. You can access the forensic-accounting degree directory via the following link.
Forensic and Investigative Accounting by D. Larry Crumbley, Lester E. Heitger & G. Stevenson Smith
Book Information
Forensic and Investigative Accounting (3rd Edition) is a complete and readily teachable text on today's most timely accounting topics. Written by three top accounting and forensic teachers, this text covers all the important underpinnings, as well as the substance of forensic-accounting. It covers both litigation support and investigative accounting, examining the practical aspects of these two areas, as well as many of the newer technological areas.
Forensic and Investigative Accounting explains and demonstrates how an effective forensic accountant needs a solid understanding of accounting, investigative auditing techniques, criminology, and courtroom procedures, as well as excellent communications skills, both written and oral. In today's litigious and highly regulated climate, all accountants; external, internal, forensic consultants, and corporate accountants must possess this knowledge base and develop these techniques. This intriguing text provides unparalleled guidance to help develop the mindset and the skillset to meet the evolving challenges facing accountants today.