...Running head: Forensic accountant 1 Forensic Accountant Tanya Pace Dr. Gina Zaffino Bus 508, Contemporary Business 11/16/2012 Running head: Forensic Accountant 2 Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. Although forensic accounting is not a new field, it has become more talked about since cases like Enron came to light. For someone interested in the Forensic Accountant profession they should know that this field can be time consuming, but very rewarding. People who work in this career investigate white collar crimes such as company fraud, fraudulent financial record reporting, and illegal investment schemes. In a recent study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows that white collar crimes have cost the United States and estimated 300 billion dollars (DiGabriele 2008). I think five of the skills that a forensic account would need are communication skills, detail oriented, professional and ethical behavior, sound judgment and discretion. Communication skills are vital in any profession. It allows you to convey information for others to receive. The problem with communication is that it can be interpreted differently by other intended parties. As a forensic accountant, communication skills, verbal and non verbal, are important...
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...Introduction Forensic accounting has been around for many years. With the spotlight on accounting due to high profile scandals such as the Enron debacle, the market for forensic accountants has increased. The increase in white collar crimes due to the economic downturn also has forensic accounting in high demand. These accountants assist in investigating financial, auditing and business related issues and require specialized training. Forensic accountants are retained by lawyers, police forces, insurance companies, banks, and the business community. Government agencies employ forensic accountants as well. Accounting positions at the FBI date back to the 1970s and around 15 percent of today’s agents qualify as special agent accountants. These agents investigate terrorists, spies, and criminals of all kinds who are involved in financial wrongdoing (FBI.gov, 2012). Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. Forensic accounting is a specialty field within the broader area of accounting. These accountants are more than just number crunchers. The realm of forensic accounting requires a certain type of person who possesses specific skills and traits. Besides the core knowledge and skills of any Certified Public Accountant (CPA), they must know how to use a variety of computer...
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...Forensic Elite: Detective of Numbers Tara Albright Strayer University BUS 504 Contemporary Business February 24, 2013 Dr. Jason M. Barrett Forensic Elite: Detective of Numbers No one in the world likes a snitch. In the early 2000’s the urban campaign “Stop Snitching or Die” changed the face of whistle blowing in the United States (Masten, 2009). Neighborhood violence during the “Stop Snitching or Die” campaign increased as law abiding citizen cowered inside their homes as gun shots rang out feet away from their doorsteps (Masten, 2009). In corporate America companies faced huge financial lost as the “Stop Snitching or Die” theology spilled into boardrooms and accounting departments. The corporate world was not as brazen as the urban world killing anyone that help out law enforcement, but the results of company leaders keeping quiet about misconduct slowly murdered the American economic system. While corporate leaders played their hand at boardroom gangbanging by lying, stealing, and falsifying financial documents, the world would see snitching taken to a new level (Masten, 2009). The job of combing through those illegal financial documents would go to an elite set of men and women, called forensic accountant. Forensic accountants help America recover huge amounts of financial dollars by bring corporate leaders to justice who made illegal business decisions (Davis, Farrell, & Ogilby, 2009). Attributes of the Elite Forensic accounting/accountant (FA) involves...
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...and business fraud, forensic accountants are in great demand. Forensic accounting is the practice of utilizing accounting, investigative, organizational, analytical and communicational skills to conduct examination into a company’s financial statements in legal matters (Crumbley, 2007). Forensic accountants can own their own accounting firms or be employed by lawyers, insurance companies, banks, or large corporations. The use of accountants has played an important role in assisting the government as well as the public. Forensic Accountants participate in detecting scandals and financial crimes caused by individuals, companies and organized crime networks. This profession consists of three main areas litigation support, investigation and dispute resolution (Harris, 200). Litigation support involves the factual arrangement of financial issues, investigation comes in when criminal matters have occurred, and the dispute resolution is the process of bringing justice and fairness. To work effectively within these three core components, forensic accounts must have a set of skills to perform their job efficiently. Important Skills Forensic Accountants must posses more than the fundamental knowledge of financial accounting and auditing. Each project requires analysis, interpretation, summarization and presentation of complex financial- and business-related issues (Matson, 2012). There are several core skills that are required and expected for the accountant to perform their job...
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...The Language and Culture of the Accountant, Auditor and Forensic Accountant Jerry Brockman Davenport University Abstract The overall purpose of this Professional Language and Culture report is to detail the accountant’s communication style and culture, as well as, their specialized language. The report begins with a brief discussion of the origin of accounting, as well as, the distinction between bookkeeping and accounting. Additionally, an examination of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) provides insight into the culture, ethical values and professional standards of accountants. Other areas of discussion in this report are the voice and tone used in various forms of communication by the accountant. Also, included in this report is an excerpt from an interview of an accounting professional as well as an example from a journal article. These artifacts will provide the reader with examples of the mind-set and communication style of the accountant. Finally, this report concludes with an examination of the auditor’s as well as the forensic accountant’s culture and communication style. Table of Contents Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Accounting has been around for centuries.. 4 Professional Standards and Ethics 4 Culture of Professional Standards 5 Language of Business 6 Voice and Tone 6 Specialized Areas of Accounting 7 Communication 8 Forensic Accounting 8 Communication 9 Conclusion 9 References 11 Appendix A 13 Appendix...
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...Using Teams in Production and Operations Management: Forensic Accountants: Fraud Busters. By: For: Class: Bus 508: Contemporary Business Date: 13 November 2012 Abstract: A case study for the Strayer University, Woodbridge, VA, Business 508 class, this paper provides for a brief review of 1) The skills that a forensic accountant requires; 2) The role of the forensic accountant in the courtroom; 3) The legal responsibilities of the forensic accountant; and lastly, 4) The role of the forensic accountant in a couple of major accounting fraud scandals. The world of Accounting has seen several major scandals since the early 1990s. These include major accounting failures such as Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia, Tyco, Phar-Mor, Cendant, Computer Associates, AOL, Freddie Mac, ImClone, Qwest Communications, Royal Ahold, Health South Corporation, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and most recently the Olympus Corporation. Some of these have resulted in the collapse and dissolution of the company – Enron, Adelphia; others have resulted in a major restructuring of the company – AOL, AIG, Freddie Mac. Whatever the result, they have all been caused by accounting fraud – either “cooking the books” to hide major losses or to hide the theft of funds. It has also resulted in the failure and absorption of the one of the Big Five Accounting firms – Arthur Anderson. Besides the whistle blower who brought most of these to public view and the lawyers who have been involved their dismantling...
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...There are endless opportunities for Accountants in several different industries. With the need for Accountants on the rise, several industries have accounting positions that need to be filled. The two industries that I researched were Criminal Justice and Environment. The first industry that I researched was Criminal Justice. This industry interested me because I watch TV shows and movies that are all about catching criminals. Looking for suspicious transactions of a criminal to help police catch the individual would also be very interesting. The main job title that an Accountant could hold in this industry is a Forensic Accountant. One job duty that a Forensic Accountant would have to do is search through financial reports, bank statements,...
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... Forensic accounting is often involved with accounting, analyzing financial evidence, auditing, and investigating legal and financial proceedings. This paper will examine the most important five skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill, describe the role of a forensic accountant within a courtroom, analyze the legal responsibility of a forensic accountant has while providing service to a business, and research two cases where forensic accountants have provided vital evidence in a case. Caleb Newquist touches on the subject of new forensic accountants, “Prospective forensic accountants can count on making many enemies in the course of their work and must be unhinged by the retaliation that normally follows uncovering fraud and other misconduct” (p.1). Their job description comprises of a wide range of duties in which each case they work require different skills and different ideas to become successful. Question 1: Determine the most important five skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill The most important five skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess are analytical, creativity, organization or detailed oriented, persistence, and investigative skills. According to Luanne Kelchner editor for eHow, “Forensic accountants must have an analytical personality to perform well in the job. According to the American Institute of CPAs, a group of lawyers, CPAs and forensic accountants...
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...Forensic Accountants: Fraud Busters Strayer University Business 508 August 11, 2013 Abstract The paper will determine the five important skills a forensic accountant must possess and describe their role within a courtroom environment. It will also analyze the legal responsibility of the accountant while serving its clients business. Giving two examples where a forensic accountant played an important role in aiding attorneys in presenting fraudulent bookkeeping records of company’s who ultimately committed white-collar crimes. Have you ever heard the figure of speech a “needle in a haystack” when referring to finding a small object in a large setting? The task of performing a very detailed search seems impossible. Leaving no stone unturned and demanding hours and hours of mental and manual labor. This is what a forensic accountant faces. By definition, a forensic investigation of any kind is conducted with the purpose of obtaining evidence that will be used in a court case. Forensic accounting is simply the analysis of financial documents use as tax returns, bank statements, canceled checks and the like, in search of proof of a criminal act, be it tax evasion, running numbers, embezzlement, money laundering, fraud by wire or securities fraud (DiGabriele, 2009). These crimes exists for the sole purpose of illegally making money. Leaving a paper trail pointing to criminal activity producing money coming into and leaving the organization...
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...Introduction There are many key component of a case. Some of these things include the evidence, the witnesses and the expert witnesses. One of these expert witnesses includes the forensic accountant, which has become a common use within the courtroom. This paper will discuss the five most important skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess, the role of a forensic accountant within a courtroom environment, the legal responsibility a forensic accountant has while providing service to a business, and two cases where forensic accountant have provided vital evidence in a case. It will also summarize the accountant’s role during the cases. Five Most Important Skills The five most important skills a forensic accountant needs to possess are private investigator, research skills, analytical abilities, accounting and task manager. Private investigator skills are important because they have to be able to gather information about the case. They have to be able to provide hard facts about the case to prove that fraud is actually accruing within the company or towards the company. They also have to go undetected that way important things that can help a case will not be cover up nor erased. They also have to possess research skills. This way they can gather only the important facts that can help with the case because they do not want to enter evidence that can harm the case or that does not have any relevance to the case. Analytical abilities are essential because...
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...Running Head: Forensic Accountant 1 The Forensic Accountant Career Bus-508 Contemporary Business Professor Chris Lin Sarah Reid August 12, 2012 Forensic Accountant 2 1. Determine the most important five skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. A document for the Skills needed for Forensic Accounting (2012) suggests that Forensic Accountant needs to possess is computer skills, “since document and financial statements have taken a more electronic format, forensic accountants must demonstrate computer skills in finding the paper trials left behind by corporate criminals. A forensic scientist will use computer software, known in their profession as computer-aided tools and techniques CATT to detect white –collar crimes. Some software includes data extraction, spreadsheet and data mining analysis.” According to forensic Accounting (2012) suggests that Forensic Accountant’s investigative skills involve collecting and analyzing the audited information for possible discrepancies. The investigations delve into both missed by ordinary accounting and auditing methods. A forensic accountant...
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...Regardless of the term accounting in forensic accounting, the discipline isn’t related to simply reading financial statements that are available to the public or dealing with other accounting issues; the usual accountants, portfolio managers, investment analysts, and etc. already do the regular financial tasks. Instead, forensic accounting scrutinizes the financial documents that are internal which aren’t readily available to the public; these documents are usually considered in litigation affairs. Generally, the field of accounting was undergoing a major overhaul; before the recent economic crisis that has devastated some parts of the western world, the accounting scandals regarding WorldCom and Enron pushed the field towards change. Accounting in general was put under scrutiny as a result of increasing white collar crime and the economic crisis pushed that process even faster and further. Ergo, there was an increasing need to have forensic accountants and the field in general needs proper development in its education system and practice for it to be effective. Overall, the laws of the developed world favor the ones who commit white collar crimes rather than a person robbing a convenience store with a gun. The problem with policymaking in the current democratic regimes is that it’s a paradox that allows white collar crimes like WorldCom and Enron to get away or only end up with a milder outcome than the robbers who may physically go out and do it with a gun. Of course, debating...
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...Forensic Accounting Forensic Accounting has a broad range of opportunity, and there are many different purposes for forensic accountants. Forensic Accountants are highly in demand during periods of financial crisis, and soaring bankruptcy rates (Chiang, 2013). The recession has generated a high demand for this type of accounting. Today we have decided to write about the two different types of forensic accounting, who they are employed by, and finally, how forensic accounting is emerging, and had changed over the recent years. “Forensic Accountants are often called upon to analyze, interpret, and present complex issues” (Forensic accounting.com) Forensics may also have refined computer programs that help with the process, while they assist in legal proceedings (Chiang 2013).Firstly, there are two different types of Forensic accountants; Litigation Support and Investigative. The nature of litigation support corresponds with economic damages (Forensic Accounting.com); this may include partnership disputes, criminal investigations, medical malpractice claims, personal injury, and loss of breach of contract (Chiang, 2013). Another type of Forensic accounting is investigative (Chiang, 2013). This type of forensics deals with professional negligence, business and/or employee fraud, embezzlement, theft, internal auditing, observing employees, etc. (Chiang, 2013). The list for investigative accounting is quite large. Secondly, in order for forensics to participate in law they must...
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...Final Project Proposal Introduction | Forensic accounting may not be a new field in accounting. However it becomes so important recently and has been an interest to various stakeholders, from the government, investors, and practitioners to regulatory bodies. In public sector, the increment in frauds, money laundering, corruptions, illegal or unethical acts and other wrongdoings are the main factors to support the needs of forensic accounting skills in public sector working environment especially in public sector accountants. The need for forensic accountant has been ascribed to the fact that the audit system in an organization had failed to detect certain errors in the system.Demand for Forensic Accountants (FAs) is growing fast because of the use of information technology to commit crimes, growing corruption, and harsh economic times that are making some workers to steal from their employers or assets of organization. In more recent years, Accountants (FAs)who worked in public practice were often called after owners suspected that fraud had been committed.This research is to study the needs of good forensic skills in public sector working environment especially within public sector accountant. | Problem Statement | The public sector constitutes the largest sector of the economy of any nation, It employs the largest population of the labor force and controls the bulk of financial resources of any country. It therefore calls for a proper financial resources...
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...Assignment 3: Using Teams in Production and Operations Management BUS 508 – Contemporary Business Forensic Accountants Forensic accounting is accounting that result from actual or anticipated legal disputes. Forensic accountants are the auditors of the forensic accounting practice. They investigate, coordinate data and offer their evidence in trial; and because it is forensic business, the evidence they find is suitable to present and will hold its proof in a court trail. Forensic accountants usually engage in different sectors of the business world; economics, finance, accounting, business management and marketing, to name a few. They utilize their understanding of these different sectors to gather and investigate data that will be used in litigation. Currently though, we live in a world in which financial fraud is becoming increasingly more prevalent. Forensic accountants are expanding their roles and venturing into financial fraud prevention. Forensic accountants are utilizing their skills and designing policies to reduce the risk of fraud, and working closely fraud deterrence research. To be a forensic accountant, the individual needs to possess certain skills and abilities to effectively perform the tasks at hand. A forensic accountant needs to have excellent communication skills, both in oral and the written language. Communication is the effective way to convey thoughts, messages and information. It requires the individual to actively convey the...
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