Decided that I’m leaving audit today. Trying to understand the full range of opportunities in forensics. Will have my CPA and CFE. So far, I understand that there are client-serving firms like FTI and then the B4 will have forensics arms as well. What are some other forensic accounting roles? Pros and cons? Better than audit? Honestly just looking to learn anything.

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The most common forensics roles out of audit will be:
-Big 4
-Consulting Firms (FTI, A&M, AP, a few others)
-Local CPA firms that tend to specialize in a specific matter (insurance claims, divorces, employment disputes, personal injury)

There’s also:
-Feds/law enforcement (FBI, CIA, Secret Service, etc.)
-In-house forensics (generally in banking, insurance, healthcare, tech, or companies with significant international ops)

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Unfortunately, stable hours are antithetical to forensics. There’s just no way to make it happen with the nature of the work. I’d imagine the only place you might find that is if you’re in-house and more risk & compliance focused (ie doing consistent but boring projects )

You may have some luck with local CPA firms but it’s hit or miss and there’s no way to know until you’re in it

For the most interesting work, your best bet is the FBI. But that’s a lifestyle not a job. You’ll have to go through their background screening, do time in Quantico, relocate, carry a gun, work odd hours, and accept lower pay. It’s not for everyone. But for the people who are willing and able I hear there’s nothing quite like it.

If you want a more typical “civilian professional” life then the most interesting work is going to come from the consulting firms. AP, A&M, FTI and a few others. This isn’t like the rest of public accounting. Those firms get top dollar and their pick of the coolest projects. Big 4 gets the grunt work projects no one else is interested in: sweatshop cases that just needs a ton of warm bodies

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Why not stay at the firm and transfer into Forensics?

Having both those certs is great! That seems to be the gold standard (but you can get plenty of others later on). Yup, there is the client service side and then there is government (main one will be FBI). There’s other roles 2 but those are the main ones I’ve seen. I like it better than audit. It’s not as sexy as some think, but I think it’s better overall.

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