Forensic Accounting : Eligibility & Course Areas

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Educational: Most forensic accountants have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and many have additional academic preparation in fields like criminal justice or law enforcement. After bachelors degree in accounting one can go for diploma or certificate course in Forensic accounting. As part of Law in some institutes forensic accounting is also taught as a separate paper. To work as a forensic accountant abroad, you'll need to earn a bachelors degree in accounting and CPA certification to begin a forensic accounting career. It is also advantageous to become a CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) or a CrFA (Certified Forensic Accountant).

Course in forensic accounting covers areas like Financial Accounting and Financial Frauds, Criminology & Ethics, Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation, Legal Framework for Forensic Accounting etc.

Personnel Attributes:

The job of a forensic accountant is quiet challenging. It requires commitment, loyalty, and devotion. Understanding of psychological theories, analytical/investigative skills is a must for the person. Forensic accounting requires the most important quality a person has to possess: the ability to think. His/her conclusion should not be based on any assumption or opinion. Proper research work and detailed study of accounts is required to draw a fair and unbiased conclusion. Forensic accountants need to possess sound knowledge in financial procedures and have investigative skills. They must have the skills of both a private investigator and an accountant. Hence he/she requires an exquisite eye for detail, a solid background in both accounting basics and legal concepts, and a love of the excitement that comes with law as well as order. Forensic accountants must have remarkable curiosity, attention to detail, persistence, and the ability to think creatively and communicate effectively. Many accountants may have to work with a team who have different backgrounds, so they must be able to communicate clearly and concisely.