Even as far back as 1908, FBI forensic accountants have been an integral part of agency operations. While 12 of the original 34 agents were auditing professionals, special agent accountants now represent about 15% of the force.
Historical Background
The development of the forensic accountant role at the FBI has taken an interesting course as the position has been affected by the times.
- During the early 1970s, the FBI established a group of accounting professionals to help work increasingly complicated financial cases. These positions were non-agent in nature, and acted as support to assist agents unfamiliar with complex economic matters.
- Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the savings and loan crisis significantly impacted the nation. The FBI was forced to address critical and sophisticated financial issues, further challenging agents. As a result, the Bureau added financial analysts as agent personnel.
- In 2009, the agency added FBI forensic accountants to its ranks, responding to the ever-changing criminal terrain. Large-scale corporate fraud and other complicated financial conspiracies became prevalent after 9/11, requiring the FBI to establish this centralized board of investigative support personnel.
FBI Forensic Accountants On The Job
Forensic auditors engage in the complex area of financial investigations, analyzing a wide variety of fraudulent schemes. They scrutinize the activities of terrorists, spies and others participating in financial offenses. Their responsibilities include:
- Testifying in court as necessary to provide evidence in criminal cases;
- Performing intense financial analysis of corporate and personal data to develop criminal profiles of individuals or groups who may be engaging in illegal or suspicious activities;
- Gathering evidence to support search warrants or affidavits intended to secure financial details;
- Assisting agents during interviews of individuals and key witnesses;
- Tracking the sources of funding for particular transactions or problematic, interrelated business dealings;
- Reporting findings and conclusions to aid in the apprehension of perpetrators of fraud;
- Consulting with prosecuting attorneys to strategize and provide litigation support, especially as expert witnesses in proceedings requiring professional analysis; and many more.
FBI forensic accountants play a significant role in intelligence gathering to benefit the agency as a whole. They stay current with Bureau policies, evidentiary rules, rules jury procedures, and matters of national security.
Forensic Accountant Training Program
While they may bring extensive experience and qualifications to the FBI, forensic specialists must also undergo a six-week course to train them in Bureau operations. The courses concentrate on policies, programs and approaches, as well as investigation resources, complex financial topics, methodologies, legal training and litigation techniques.
Every FBI field office employs an FBI forensic accountant, though offices in larger cities may have several on staff separated into two groups: forensic accountants and financial analysts. At the main agency headquarters in Washington, D.C., there is the Forensic Accountant Support Team (FAST). When a crisis erupts that requires immediate, aggressive action, the FAST crew responds, electronically or personally as circumstances command. High profile, mission critical cases typically involve enormous amounts of financial records and electronic data, and the FAST squad is both prepared and equipped to act quickly.
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The certified forensic accountants at Veriti Consulting LLC provides various fraud and forensic accounting services for individuals and businesses across the United States. Veriti is also a licensed private investigation agency. If you would like to learn more about the various fraud and forensic accounting services we offer call 855.232.4410 or contact us via email.
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