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The field uses accounting principles to solve crimes or to spot risky financial practices. Specialists in this field are often work for firms that are called in when an employer suspects problems in their firm but cannot prove it. Ordinary businesses may have such accountants on their payroll to perform regular audits. If this is done, the records are usually submitted to regular checks to make sure there are no problems arising within the company.

The forensics techniques allow a business to figure out if an employee has committed a crime, if fraud has been committed, or if a company handed out illegal kickbacks. Unlike many other career fields, which have seen a decrease in the demand for people to fill the positions, the demand for investigative accountants have grown.

A degree in accounting is necessary to pursue this as a career. Many universities offer bachelors and master programs that allow a person to pursue a career in this field. Of course, if he cannot find a job with the government or similar agency, a student still learn a valuable set of skills that he can take to other areas. Although the field may not be exciting, accountants remain in demand even during tough economic times.

Investigative accountants must also have a basic understanding of the laws involved in their field. They do not need to go into as much detail as an attorney would, but a basic understanding of financial laws is necessary for an accountant to determine if the target of an investigation has broken any applicable laws.

If you decide to pursue this career field, you must pay attention to detail. It also helps to have a love of numbers. Being good at business math is also a must. Keep in mind the colleges might make you take courses in higher level mathematics, such as calculus and matrix algebra that you may never use once you find a job in your chosen field.

The investigative accountant may never receive the glory that reporters, police officers or private detectives do. It is unlikely that their will ever be Law and Order Investigative Accounting Unit. That does not mean that the career field cannot offer rich rewards for the right individual.