About The Career

Forensic Auditing is also known as Forensic Accounting. Forensic Accounting is ‘the amalgamation of accounting, auditing and investigative skills. A Forensic Auditor is a Certified Public Accountant(CPA) who uses special techniques to detect or prevent certain types of crime for businesses and government agencies. As a Forensic Auditor, you’d find yourself investigating white-collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement. Your accounting skills would enable you to follow money trails and conduct audits of finances. Forensic Auditors are often required to prepare reports on their findings and testify as expert witnesses in trials. Forensic Auditor may require to investigate financial claims for an insurance company, work to detect insider trading and securities fraud and they can be called on to help sort out almost any type of illegal financial activity.

Why Forensic Auditing ?

Growing cyber crimes, failure of regulators to track the security scams, series of co-operative banks bursting – all are pinpointing the need of forensic accounting.

Conducted By

In India, CFAP Examinations are conducted by India Forensic and moderated under the bylaws of Forensic Accounting Research Foundation. You would be required to study business administration, finance, marketing, economics and statistics. Besides, you would be generally required to have your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. Some institutions offer a combined 5-year program for those looking to become CPAs. Forensic accountants can also become a Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Forensic Accountant. You can take the examinations only after two years of experience

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be a Certified Forensic Accountant you must be a Graduate from a recognized University. Besides, you should have a professional experience of at least 3 years and clear the CFAP examination with at least 75% marks.

Skills Required

  • High level of attention to detail

  • Commercial awareness

  • Organisation and time management skills

  • Methodical Approach

  • Sound judgement

  • Creative thinking

  • IT proficiency

  • Ability to analyse data thoroughly

  • Excellent communication & creative writing skills

List of Top Institutes

  1. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi
  2. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (ICFAI), West Tripura
  3. The Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India : Certificate Course on Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection
  4. Indiaforensic,Pune : Offers the programme for certified forensic accounting professional (CFAP)
  5. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) : Certificate Course in Forensic Accounting

  1. University of Toronto, Canada : Master of Forensic Accounting (MFAcc)
  2. Queensland University of Technology,Brisbane,Australia : Graduate Certificate in Business (Forensic Accounting)
  3. Northumbria University,UK : Forensic Accounting M.Sc.
  4. University of Portsmouth,UK : Forensic Accounting (Distance Learning) M.Sc., Forensic Accounting M.Sc.
  5. De Montfort University : Forensic Accounting M.Sc.
  6. University of South Wales, UK : Forensic Accounting (Including Foundation Year) B.A. (Hons.), Forensic Accounting (Sandwich) B.A. (Hons.), Forensic Accounting B.A. (Hons.), Forensic Audit and Accounting M.Sc.
  7. University of Salford,UK : Fraud and Risk Management (Forensic Accounting) MSc/PGD/PG-Cert.
  8. Southern New Hampshire University,USA : BS in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination(Online)

Employment opportunities – India

  • Big Multinational Companies have many incidences of internal fraud being reported which warrants an investigation.

  • RBI Red Flagged Accounts needs forensic, in coming period RBI may make it compulsory for advances above certain threshold.

  • One may work with businesses, nonprofit organisations including government and law-enforcement agencies, estates, individuals and others who require forensic-accounting services. 

  • Economic Offences Wings also require help of experienced Chartered Accountants in Forensics.

  • There are many other opportunities for Chartered Accountants in Forensics which is an emerging field in our country and very few players are there.

  • One can find a job with clients, who are charged with allegation of fraud against the government, public, or private business, or a fraud involving insurance claims, real estate, investments, and financial instruments. Also in case of mergers Forensic Investigation are conducted as a part of due diligence.

  • Law Enforcement State and Local Government (including Govt. agencies like Internal Revenue Service, Defence dept).

  • Serious Fraud Investigations Office setup under Ministry of Corporate Affairs had many cases reported for fraud waiting to be investigated by Chartered Accountants. 

  • Cyber Forensics is also an untapped field for Chartered Accountants.

Certifications available to Forensic Accountants

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