Forensic Accountant Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Forensic Accountant Resume examples

Ever wondered who tracks down the financial breadcrumbs that criminals leave behind? Forensic accountants are the financial detectives who follow the money, uncovering fraud, embezzlement, and financial misdeeds that others have tried to hide. Part accountant, part investigator, these professionals combine analytical skills with investigative techniques to solve financial puzzles that can make or break legal cases. The field has evolved dramatically in recent years, with blockchain analysis becoming a crucial skill as cryptocurrency-related crimes jumped 79% in 2022 alone.

Today's forensic accountants work far beyond traditional audit settings—they're found in law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, government regulatory bodies, and specialized forensic accounting firms. Many serve as expert witnesses, translating complex financial schemes into understandable testimony for judges and juries. With corporate fraud schemes growing more sophisticated (and costly), the demand for skilled forensic accountants continues to rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% growth rate through 2031, making this an excellent time to consider this challenging yet rewarding career path.

Junior Forensic Accountant Resume Example

Melissa Chang

mchang92@gmail.com | (415) 555-8763 | San Francisco, CA 94108
linkedin.com/in/melissachang92

Recent accounting graduate with forensic accounting concentration and 1+ year of practical experience combining analytical skills with financial expertise. Strong background in fraud detection and financial investigation techniques gained through internship at regional accounting firm. Proficient with forensic tools and data analysis software, with experience assisting in case preparation for litigation support.

EXPERIENCE

Junior Forensic Accountant | Baker Tilly LLP, San Francisco, CA | January 2023 – Present

  • Support senior team members in conducting 7 fraud investigations for clients across banking and healthcare sectors
  • Assist in financial data analysis to identify irregular transactions and suspicious patterns using ACL Analytics
  • Prepare documentation for litigation support, including financial exhibits used in 2 court cases
  • Help reconcile financial records with $1.2M in discrepancies for a mid-sized healthcare provider
  • Participate in weekly team meetings to review case progress and discuss investigation strategies

Forensic Accounting Intern | Marks & Spencer Accounting, San Francisco, CA | May 2022 – December 2022

  • Analyzed financial statements and transaction records to detect anomalies and potential fraud indicators
  • Assisted in a corporate embezzlement investigation that recovered approximately $87,000 in misappropriated funds
  • Organized and maintained case files for 4 active investigations, ensuring documentation was complete and properly stored
  • Learned to use IDEA data analysis software to examine large transaction datasets for unusual patterns

Accounting Assistant (Part-time) | Westfield Property Management, Oakland, CA | September 2021 – April 2022

  • Helped process accounts payable and receivable for 12 commercial properties
  • Reconciled bank statements and identified several duplicate payments totaling $3,450
  • Maintained financial records and assisted with monthly financial reporting

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Forensic Concentration | May 2022
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
GPA: 3.78/4.0

Relevant Coursework: Fraud Examination, Financial Statement Analysis, Forensic & Investigative Accounting, Business Law, Advanced Excel for Accounting

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – In progress, expected completion September 2023
IDEA Data Analysis Software Certification – March 2023

SKILLS

  • Financial investigation & fraud detection
  • Data analysis & pattern recognition
  • Forensic accounting software (IDEA, ACL)
  • Documentation & evidence collection
  • Financial statement analysis
  • QuickBooks & Microsoft Excel (advanced)
  • Litigation support
  • Asset tracing
  • Business valuation (basic)
  • Report writing

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) – Student Member
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Student Member

Mid-level Forensic Accountant Resume Example

Melissa R. Thompson

Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8941 | m.thompson@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/melissarthompson

Detail-oriented Forensic Accountant with 5+ years analyzing financial discrepancies and conducting fraud investigations. Experienced in litigation support, financial statement reconstruction, and expert witness testimony. Proven track record of uncovering hidden assets and tracing funds through complex transactions with 92% case resolution rate. CPA with specialized training in anti-money laundering techniques.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Forensic Accountant | Garrett Fraud Investigations | Chicago, IL | Jan 2021 – Present

  • Lead team of 3 junior accountants in investigating financial fraud cases with average case value of $1.7M
  • Reconstructed financial statements for 17 litigation cases, identifying $3.2M in misappropriated funds
  • Developed customized Excel models that reduced investigation time by 28% through automated transaction mapping
  • Served as expert witness in 6 court cases, providing testimony that directly led to favorable judgments
  • Analyzed 4 years of financial data for a manufacturing client, uncovering embezzlement scheme totaling $842,000

Forensic Accountant | Deloitte Financial Advisory Services | Chicago, IL | Mar 2019 – Dec 2020

  • Conducted due diligence investigations for M&A transactions ranging from $5M to $78M
  • Collaborated with legal teams to trace funds in 3 bankruptcy cases with suspected fraudulent transfers
  • Participated in 4 FCPA investigations for multinational corporations, identifying irregular payment patterns
  • Prepared detailed reports and exhibits for attorneys in 11 litigation cases, 9 of which settled favorably

Staff Accountant | Morton & Associates CPAs | Evanston, IL | Jun 2017 – Feb 2019

  • Assisted with forensic accounting investigations for small business clients, focusing on employee theft cases
  • Performed audit procedures and financial analysis for 23 clients across retail and service industries
  • Identified $157,000 in accounting irregularities for a construction client through detailed transaction testing
  • Created database to track evidence and maintain chain of custody documentation for fraud investigations

EDUCATION

Master of Accounting, Forensic Accounting Concentration
University of Illinois at Chicago | 2017

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Northern Illinois University | 2015

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Illinois, 2018
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), 2019
Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), 2021

SKILLS

  • Financial statement analysis & reconstruction
  • Fraud investigation & detection
  • Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance
  • Litigation support & expert testimony
  • IDEA Data Analysis Software
  • ACL Analytics
  • Advanced Excel modeling & visualization
  • Asset tracing & fund flow analysis
  • Business valuation
  • Data analytics & statistical sampling

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Illinois CPA Society – Forensic Accounting Section

Senior / Experienced Forensic Accountant Resume Example

Michael J. Reynolds

San Francisco, CA 94105 | (415) 555-8762 | mreynolds@protonmail.com | linkedin.com/in/michaeljreynolds

Forensic Accountant with 11+ years of experience investigating financial fraud and providing litigation support. Seasoned in conducting complex financial analyses, uncovering fraudulent activity, and preparing expert testimony for high-profile cases. Proven track record of recovering misappropriated assets worth over $78M and providing critical evidence that led to successful prosecution in 94% of cases.

Professional Experience

Senior Forensic Accountant | Keller Forensics & Financial Investigations | San Francisco, CA | 2018 – Present

  • Lead team of 6 forensic accountants in complex fraud investigations averaging $12M in disputed funds per case
  • Spearheaded development of proprietary data analytics methodology that reduced investigation time by 37% while improving accuracy of financial reconstructions
  • Provide expert witness testimony in federal court for 14 high-profile embezzlement and securities fraud cases, contributing to 13 successful prosecutions
  • Conducted anti-money laundering investigation that uncovered $23.7M in illicit transactions across 5 jurisdictions, resulting in full asset recovery
  • Collaborate with FBI and SEC on white-collar crime investigations, providing crucial financial analysis that established motive in 3 major securities fraud cases

Forensic Accountant | Deloitte Financial Advisory Services | Chicago, IL | 2015 – 2018

  • Managed portfolio of 22 concurrent investigations for clients across healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing industries
  • Reconstructed financial records for $45M bankruptcy case, identifying fraudulent transfers made 14 months prior to filing
  • Developed and implemented enhanced due diligence procedures for M&A transactions that identified financial irregularities in 17% of target companies
  • Created standardized workflow for digital evidence collection that reduced processing time by 42% and is now used firm-wide

Associate Forensic Accountant | Grant Thornton LLP | Chicago, IL | 2012 – 2015

  • Assisted in 30+ fraud investigations ranging from $250K to $8M in disputed assets
  • Performed data analytics on financial transactions to identify patterns indicative of fraud, waste, and abuse
  • Participated in 4 divorce cases involving hidden assets, successfully tracing and locating $2.8M in concealed funds
  • Drafted comprehensive reports detailing findings for attorneys and regulators (SEC and DOJ)

Education & Certifications

Master of Accounting, Forensic Accounting Concentration
University of Illinois at Chicago | 2012

Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Indiana University, Kelley School of Business | 2010

Certifications:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – 2013
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – 2014
  • Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) – 2016
  • EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE) – 2019

Technical Skills

  • Financial Analysis & Reconstruction
  • Expert Witness Testimony
  • Data Analytics (Python, R, SQL)
  • EnCase Forensic Software
  • IDEA Data Analysis
  • Asset Tracing & Recovery
  • Fraud Risk Assessment
  • AML Compliance
  • Digital Evidence Collection
  • Litigation Support

Professional Affiliations

  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • California Society of CPAs – Forensic Services Section

How to Write a Forensic Accountant Resume

Introduction

Landing that dream forensic accounting job means getting past the first hurdle: having your resume actually read by a hiring manager. In my 15+ years helping financial professionals polish their applications, I've seen firsthand how a well-crafted forensic accountant resume can open doors at Big 4 firms, government agencies, and specialized forensic practices. Let's face it—these positions are competitive, with firms often receiving 75+ applications for a single opening. Your resume needs to showcase your investigative mindset, analytical abilities, and attention to detail (ironically, the same skills you'll use on the job!).

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—just like your audit workpapers. Financial professionals benefit from structured formats that hiring managers can scan quickly.

  • Length: 1-2 pages (one page for juniors, two for those with 5+ years experience)
  • Format: Reverse chronological for most candidates
  • Font: Standard professional fonts like Calibri or Arial (10-12pt)
  • Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around
  • File format: PDF (prevents formatting issues)

I recommend using subtle visual dividers between sections. Nothing fancy—this isn't graphic design—but clear section breaks help guide the reader's eye through your qualifications.

Pro tip: Name your file "FirstName_LastName_ForensicAccountant.pdf" rather than "Resume.pdf" - this tiny detail shows attention to detail and helps recruiters keep track of your application!

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should be a 3-4 sentence snapshot highlighting your forensic accounting expertise, certifications, and specialty areas. This isn't where you tell your life story! For senior roles, emphasize leadership and case outcomes; for junior positions, focus on education, certifications, and technical skills.

Example for mid-level: "Forensic accountant with 6 years experience in financial fraud investigations and 4 years specializing in healthcare billing fraud. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) who has helped recover $3.7M in misappropriated funds across 17 investigations. Skilled in data analytics using ACL, IDEA, and SQL to identify suspicious transaction patterns."

Professional Experience

This is where the magic happens! Each bullet should follow this formula: Action + Context + Result. Don't just list job duties—show how your forensic work made a difference.

  • Focus on cases you've worked, fraud schemes uncovered, or litigation support provided
  • Quantify results whenever possible ($ amounts recovered, % reduction in fraud, number of cases)
  • Highlight specialized investigative techniques you've used
  • Mention testimony experience if you have it (even mock trials for newer professionals)
  • Include experience with forensic tools like IDEA, ACL, or Tableau

Education and Certifications

Forensic accounting is credential-heavy, so this section matters! List your degrees (accounting or finance-related) and all relevant certifications. The must-haves in this field:

  • CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
  • CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
  • CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics)
  • CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) - if working in AML
  • CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) - helpful for some forensic roles

Include relevant continuing education or specialized training in areas like expert witness testimony, digital forensics, or fraud analytics.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most firms use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to filter resumes before human eyes see them. I've seen qualified candidates get rejected because they missed these software filters. Include industry-specific terms like:

  • Fraud detection/prevention
  • Financial investigation
  • Asset tracing
  • Litigation support
  • Expert witness
  • Data analytics
  • Internal controls
  • Anti-money laundering (AML)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for investigating fraud cases and preparing reports."

After: "Led 8 complex embezzlement investigations involving construction contract fraud, recovering $1.2M for clients and providing expert witness testimony in 3 civil cases that resulted in favorable settlements."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too vague about your investigative experience
  • Failing to highlight specific fraud schemes you've worked with
  • Omitting software proficiency (Excel, QuickBooks, data analysis tools)
  • Listing every accounting duty instead of focusing on forensic work
  • Forgetting to mention report writing or communication skills (huge part of the job!)

Remember that your resume is itself a work product—treat it with the same care you'd give a forensic report headed to court. If you've got specific questions about transitioning from audit to forensic work (a common path), feel free to reach out. Good luck with your forensic accounting job hunt!

Soft skills for your Forensic Accountant resume

  • Diplomatic interviewing – ability to extract information from reluctant sources without creating hostility (used this when investigating a CFO suspected of embezzlement)
  • Cross-functional translation – explaining complex financial irregularities to non-financial stakeholders, including legal teams and executives
  • Meticulous documentation habits that stand up to court scrutiny, developed through 6+ years of case preparation
  • Pattern recognition in unstructured data – spotting anomalies that software analysis often misses
  • Stress management during tight deadlines and high-stakes investigations (maintained composure during $14M fraud case with media attention)
  • Active listening skills that have helped uncover inconsistencies in verbal testimonies

Hard skills for your Forensic Accountant resume

  • Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, and specialized forensic accounting software like IDEA and ACL
  • Data mining techniques and fraud detection algorithms (pattern recognition, outlier detection)
  • Financial statement reconstruction and analysis for identifying discrepancies
  • Expert in conducting Benford’s Law analysis and other statistical sampling methods
  • Experience with digital forensics tools to recover deleted financial records (EnCase, FTK)
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with specialized training in anti-money laundering procedures
  • Proficient in creating detailed audit trails and evidence documentation for legal proceedings
  • Skilled in asset tracing methodologies across multiple jurisdictions and shell companies
  • Working knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks (Sarbanes-Oxley, FCPA, UK Bribery Act)