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What path would I follow to end up with a career in forensic accounting?

I am currently an accounting major, but do I need a minor in criminal justice in order to get a position??

spring25 career-path criminal-justice accounting forensic forensic-accounting
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Thomas’s Answer

You don't need a minor in criminal justice to land a forensic accounting job. Check if your school offers any forensic accounting classes; they can be incredibly beneficial. At my school, these classes included a mini internship with the Sheriff's Department's white-collar crime unit, where I spent one day a week working alongside the team, learning, and assisting in investigations. The head officer there had an accounting degree and began his journey by becoming a police officer, eventually working in white-collar crimes. This could be an exciting path for you if you're interested in that field.

If law enforcement isn't your preference, don't worry! You can still pursue a career in public accounting, focusing on audit and assurance. You might also find a firm that specializes in forensic work and express your interest in joining their team. Experience in audit and assurance will set you up well for a future in forensic accounting. Keep exploring and stay determined—you're on the right track!
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Nashwat’s Answer

A major in Accounting is more than enough for college. Once you graduate, you will want to purse your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) license.
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Scott’s Answer

You do not need a criminal justice degree, I would recommend seeking a graduate level accounting degree, obtaining your CPA license, and going to work in the audit practice of a public accounting firm. Alot of the forensic techniques are rooted in audit theory and methodology so its a great foundation. Most larger accounting firms will have a forensic practice that would also be a great place to start, but those opportunities are more limited than audit practice positions. As noted in the previous answer, ultimately, you will want to pursue your CFE license - there are some work experience requirements to be mindful of as you navigate obtaining that certifications. Lastly, if you are interested in a law enforcement career, organizations like the FBI have a long history of recruiting accounting majors - so that could be another possibility with an accounting degree.
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