Forensic Accounting Courses April 2024: How to Become a Forensic Accountant
Free and paid forensic accounting courses in April 2024 are widely available, but what does a career in forensic accounting entail?
If numbers are your thing and you have an inquisitive personality, a career as a forensic accountant could be right up your street. Increasingly, the world’s biggest businesses are turning to skilled forensic accountants to safeguard themselves from white collar criminals.
But what exactly does a forensic accountant do, and what does it take to become a forensic accountant? Is formal forensic accountant certification necessary, and what kind of forensic accounting training do you need to kickstart a successful career?
In short, a forensic accountant is a fraud detection and prevention specialist, who combines accounting acumen with analytical skills to spot the signs of financial fraud.
Their job is to find the kinds of patterns and evidence that would normally go overlooked, which may be indicative of white collar crime.
Where fraud is detected or suspected, forensic accountants are responsible for collecting and presenting the evidence needed to ensure the successful prosecution of those involved.
How to Become a Forensic Accountant?
The journey towards becoming a forensic accountant often differs significantly from one professional to the next. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to study for a degree-level qualification to work in forensic accountancy.
A recognised forensic accounting certificate or diploma in forensic accounting could also pave the way for a successful career in the field.
Roughly summarised, there are four equally important steps on the journey towards becoming a forensic accountant:
1. Get Qualified
Again, you do not necessarily need to study for a formal degree to work in forensic accountancy. There are plenty of free and paid forensic accounting courses online, which can provide you with the base knowledge you need to take the next step. In forensic accountancy, personal qualities and professional experience are just as important as having the right educational background.
2. Decide What Type of Forensic Accountant You Want to be
There are various different career paths that fall within the forensic accountancy profession, each with its own unique characteristics and requirements. Typical job titles include internal auditor, external auditor, forensic accounting consultant, fraud examiner, forensic accountancy team leader and more.
3. Gain Work Experience
With your knowledge and skills up to scratch, you will then need to gain professional experience working in forensic accountancy. For a period of time, it may be necessary to offer your services as an unpaid intern. But as it is practically impossible to secure a paid forensic accountancy role without relevant experience, it is an essential step on the journey towards becoming a forensic accountant.
4. Seek Employment
With the right experience and educational background om your CV, you can now set your sights on securing employment. Some of the most prolific employers of forensic accountancy workers are government departments, accounting firms, legal offices, insurance companies, corporate security companies, risk management companies and financial consulting firms.
Skilled forensic accountants also have the opportunity to consider self-employment, working on a freelance basis as a forensic accountancy consultant.
Forensic Accounting Salary in the UK
Salaries in the forensic accountancy profession vary significantly, in accordance with location and seniority.
Across the UK, the current average starting salary for a newly-qualified forensic accountant is around £23,000. For forensic accountants with several years’ experience, the average salary is closer to £35,000.
However, more senior forensic accountants and fraud detection experts can take home £75,000 per year or more. Potential earnings can be even higher for those who successfully launch their own forensic accountancy businesses online.
Free and Paid Forensic Accounting Courses in April 2024
At Brentwood Open Learning College, we’re proud to offer an extensive range of endorsed free and paid forensic accounting courses of the highest quality.
Enjoy the freedom to study in your own time and at your own pace, with no deadlines or time restrictions. Whether starting from scratch or looking to take your existing career a step further, our exclusive online courses come highly recommended.
Enrol online, or contact our admissions team anytime to discuss our free and paid forensic accounting courses in more detail.
