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Forensic accountant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.,

Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical forensic accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for forensic accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 21.1% of forensic accountant resumes contained cpa as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a forensic accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 forensic accountant skills for your resume and career

1. CPA

Here's how forensic accountants use cpa:

Specialized in performing forensic examinations for a Mid-sized CPA firm.
Managed CPA firm audit engagements performing independent financial and internal control audits of the Federal Court System throughout the U.S.

2. Litigation

Here's how forensic accountants use litigation:

Provided accounting and financial consulting services in forensic investigations, litigation or dispute resolution, and/or financial due diligence matters.
Coordinate and supervise multiple bank tracing projects and re-constructions of financial records related to fraud identification and litigation consulting.

3. Forensic Accounting

Here's how forensic accountants use forensic accounting:

Performed as a key project leader for forensic accounting and audit assistance related to potentially criminal Security and Exchange Commission investigation.
Researched technical forensic accounting issues, prepared documentations identifying relevant issues and summarized conclusions to be presented.

4. Financial Data

Here's how forensic accountants use financial data:

Assist in engagements to identify anomalies and inconsistencies in financial data and various financial documents.
Generated financial data and reports used in testimony by expert witnesses.

5. Fraud Investigations

Frаud investigations аrе dеѕіgnеd to еxроѕе frаudulеnt оffеnсеѕ such аѕ іnѕurаnсе аnd credit саrd fraud аnd to рunіѕh thе perpetrator of a frаudulеnt and іllеgаl асt аnd tо соllесt еvіdеnсе to protect the vісtіmѕ іn ԛuеѕtіоn.

Here's how forensic accountants use fraud investigations:

Referred substantial percentage of examined loans to OIG investigators for fraud investigation considerations.
Manage and perform large scale corporate financial fraud investigations.

6. CFE

Here's how forensic accountants use cfe:

Passed CFE exam on first attempt to increase my credentials as a forensic accountant.

7. Data Analysis

Here's how forensic accountants use data analysis:

Identify potential vulnerabilities, outliers and/or gaps in process, systems and/or operations through data analysis.

8. Financial Statements

A financial statement is a report of an individual or a company that includes all the information about the declared assets, the use of money, income, and also the contribution of shareholders over a certain period.

Here's how forensic accountants use financial statements:

Quantified complex financial claims for insurance industry clients by investigating financial statements and performing business valuations and revenue forecasts
Evaluated the effectiveness of internal control policies concerning the preparation of financial statements and recommended areas of improvement

9. GAAP

Here's how forensic accountants use gaap:

Inspected account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of GAAP to record transactions.
Reviewed various financial activities for reasonableness, accuracy, compliance to internal controls/policies and determination of correct US GAAP accounting treatment.

10. Insurance Claims

Here's how forensic accountants use insurance claims:

Reviewed and investigated insurance claims arising from fraudulent financial reporting, embezzlement and employee theft.
Investigated insurance claims related to property, liability, fidelity and business interruption.

11. Financial Analysis

Here's how forensic accountants use financial analysis:

Conducted financial analysis on several high-profile cases with varying complexity and size.
Conducted complex financial analysis for Federal Criminal and National Security matters.

12. QuickBooks

Here's how forensic accountants use quickbooks:

Research information technology software and hardware (QuickBooks Enterprise) sufficient to analyze financial activities presented in PowerPoint.
Key Highlights Financial Statement Reconstruction using Microsoft Excel exports and QuickBooks Accountant Edition.

13. Securities

Here's how forensic accountants use securities:

Developed Excel and Access applications to analyze complex financial records and documents in connection with securities investigations.

14. Business Valuation

Here's how forensic accountants use business valuation:

Participate in business valuation engagements for firm clients, exhibiting exemplary critical thinking skills.
Prepared Equitable Distribution Schedules, Lifestyle Analysis, and Business Valuation Analysis.

15. Internal Controls

Here's how forensic accountants use internal controls:

Performed Sarbanes-Oxley assessments working with process owners to document all relevant processes and internal controls using flowcharts and narratives.
Established the internal controls and drafted the accounting policy and procedures for Giuliani Capital Advisors as well as for other clients.

What skills help Forensic Accountants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on forensic accountant resumes?

Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.

Director of Academic Services, Michigan State University

Quantitative, communication, critical thinking, analysis and problem solving, organization, strong work ethic.

What soft skills should all forensic accountants possess?

Lynne Zelenski Ph.D.

Director of Academic Services, Michigan State University

Communication skills, both written and verbal. Accountants need to be storytellers and be able to explain and interpret accounting information to non-accountants. Employers also emphasize the importance of leading and working in teams.

What hard/technical skills are most important for forensic accountants?

Charles Makar

Instructor of Business, Misericordia University

Ability to write and understand journal entries; prepare and interpret financial statements; prepare tax returns; understand job-order costing, process costing, and activity-based costing; working knowledge of GAAP and GAAS.

What forensic accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.

Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis

In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.

What type of skills will young forensic accountants need?

Lindsay Andiola Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

The accounting field has been rapidly evolving over the last 5 years. The pandemic really hasn't changed anything about the skills needed of these graduates. Most importantly, accounting graduates entering the workforce need to have not only the technical knowledge of accounting but also the ability to communicate well (both written and verbally). They need to have analytical and critical thinking skills, and comfort and willingness to use technology. The accounting field is changing, and in my opinion, accounting students have an amazing opportunity to be part of that change and innovate the profession. Companies and firms looking to hire accounting graduates are looking for those who are interested in driving change in the profession.

Do you want to know more?

List of forensic accountant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a forensic accountant resume and required skills for a forensic accountant to have include:

CPA
Litigation
Forensic Accounting
Financial Data
Fraud Investigations
CFE
Data Analysis
Financial Statements
GAAP
Insurance Claims
Financial Analysis
QuickBooks

Securities
Business Valuation
Internal Controls
Interrogatories
Financial Models
Financial Findings
Financial Transactions
Audit Programs
Bank Statements
Family Law
Income Statement
Property Damage

Loss Statements
Balance Sheet
Economic Damages
Financial Institutions
Advisory Services
Payroll
Cash Flow
Tax Preparation
Financial Processes
Corporate Tax Returns
Bank Fraud
Arbitration

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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