SITE SEARCH
Breaking News
Online Degree Rankings
Best Buy Online Degrees
Best Buy Online Degrees
An online university degree can cost as little as $3,000 – or over $100,000. GetEducated's affordability rankings reveal who offers the best buys in online degrees.
 
Best Student Satisfaction
Best Student Satisfaction
Student in an online degree program? Alumni of an online college? Review – rate and rank – your college's performance. Your review will help others "get educated" about the real-life performance of accredited online colleges.
 
Best Public Perception
Best Public Perception
How do employers and the public rate online university degrees? Help rate and rank thousands of accredited distance colleges. Your online college reviews will help others "get educated"
 
Newsletter
Career Center
CAREER CENTER HOME
 
Business & Management
Forensic Accountant
Outlook & Growth
Careers for accountants and auditors will grow 22 percent—faster than average—through 2018. Forensic accountants will be in high demand because of an increase in employee and management fraud, theft, embezzlement and other financial crimes.
Growth also is fueled by high-visibility corporate scandal; the news after September 11, 2001 that terrorists were exploiting the international banking system to transfer money; and advances in technology that have made it easier to detect financial crimes.
Salary & Wages
In 2008, accountants and auditors earned an average salary of $59,430, with the top ten percent earning more than $102,380. Estimates on the web put the earnings of forensic accountants above the industry average, with starting salaries between $30,000 and $60,000 and forensic accountants working their way up to between $125,000 and $150,000.
What is a Forensic Accountant or Fraud Examiner?
Public accountants perform a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting activities for their clients, which may include corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations or individuals. Some public accountants specialize in forensic accounting: the application of accounting knowledge and investigative skills to identify and resolve legal issues. It is the science of using accounting as a tool to identify and develop proof of money flow.
Forensic accountants investigate white-collar crimes such as securities fraud and embezzlement; complex criminal financial transactions, including money laundering by organized criminals; and bankruptcies and contract disputes.
Forensic accountants combine their knowledge of accounting and finance with law and investigative techniques to determine whether an activity is illegal. Many forensic accountants work closely with law enforcement personnel and lawyers during investigations and often appear as expert witnesses during trials.
Education & Degree Path
Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or a related field. Many accountants and auditors choose to obtain certification to help advance their careers, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It is also beneficial to become a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Some employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in accounting, or with a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
Licensing: For optimal career advancement, most states require accountants to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam post-degree after completing two years of supervised work under a CPA. Check with your state about the requirements to become a CPA.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners offers the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation for forensic or public accountants involved in fraud prevention, detection, deterrence and investigation. To obtain the designation, individuals must have a bachelor’s degree, two years of relevant experience, and pass a four-part examination.
Entering the Field: Most beginning accountants and auditors work under the guidance of an experienced accountant (CPA) or auditor. You can begin by earning a diploma or certificate in accounting or bookkeeping and working as a bookkeeper’s assistant. You can also begin as a payroll clerk or accounts receivable or payable clerk.
Consider an associate degree in accounting or bookkeeping, followed by a bachelor’s in accounting as your career progresses. Those who earn a master’s in accounting or an MBA with a specialty in accounting or auditing will do extremely well.
Career Changers: People who work in law enforcement and legal services are ideal candidates for a career change to forensic accounting and/or fraud examination. Office managers and those who are good with computers often specialize in accounting as their careers mature.

Find online degrees for Accounting now. >>

Career Links



Source for salary and growth data is the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information on careers in forensic accounting and fraud examination, salaries, and job prospects visit: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Accountants and Auditors.
  
Ask GetEducated!
Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
Read More
Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
Read More
 
Featured University Ads
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green State University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice, delivered fully online, has established itself as one of the most valuable programs of its kind in North America. It is designed to help you accelerate success in your career by providing the knowledge and skills that are needed in today’s dynamic and complex criminal justice environment. Get more information today!
Learn more
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater built its online MBA in 1998 on a solid foundation. It emphasized quality faculty and top academic standards, not high-tech gimmicks. Maybe that’s why in only four years the program is already among the nation’s top 25 best, according to U.S. News & World Report. The Whitewater MBA is offered entirely online with emphasis areas in Marketing, Management, Human Resource Management, and International Business. The program is fully accredited by the AACSB.
Learn more
Military Resource Center
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

Jobs and Careers in Online and Distance Education
Online and distance schools need teachers.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

Online Education
 
Facebook Page: 102030281967 Twitter: GetEducatedcom YouTube: GetEducatedDotCom
GETV

Secure your career with an online MBA.

Facts from GetEducated's National Survey of Online MBAs. Who offers the cheapest online MBA? Do you need an AACSB-accredited distance MBA? Online MBA rankings and ratings. Everything you need to know to compare 390 accredited online MBAs from 168 online business schools.

Visit our Online MBA Career Center today

Learn more about in-demand and high-paying healthcare jobs - and online degrees that help you land them.

Visit our Healthcare & Nursing Career Center

From CSI to paralegal to forensic accountant, justice jobs are waiting for you.

Visit our Justice, Law & Legal Studies Career Center

What are the hottest careers in business and management, plus online degrees to help you succeed?

Visit our Business & Management Career Center

Move into a high-paying, fast-growing computer career by studying online.

Visit our Computers & IT Career Center today

Which are the best engineering or electronics jobs for you and how can online education help you prepare?

Visit our Engineering & Electronics Career Center

Teachers and librarians are needed for the future - prepare online for these careers.

Visit our Education & Library Science Career Center

You can learn online to be a social worker, counselor, or other human services professional.

Visit our Psychology & Human Services Career Center

Home | Articles | Media Coverage | About Us | News Releases | Privacy | Team Bios | History and Mission | Newsletter | Contact | Advertising | Login