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Career Profile

Forensic accountant

Forensic accountants investigate financial records to uncover fraud, trace missing money and explain complex transactions in disputes and court cases.
Business, Finance and ManagementLegal and Government
Average weekly salary
$1841
Future demand
Strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a forensic accountant do?

A forensic accountant uses accounting skills to work out what really happened with money. They examine financial statements, bank records, invoices and emails to find fraud, misappropriation or errors, then trace where the funds went and put a value on the loss. Much of the work supports legal matters; calculating damages in commercial disputes, valuing assets in family law property settlements, reviewing insurance claims, and preparing expert reports that may be tested in court. 

Forensic accountants work in the forensic and advisory teams of accounting firms, in specialist investigation consultancies, and in banks, insurers and large companies with their own fraud or risk units. Others work for regulators, tax authorities, police financial crime units and anti-corruption bodies. The role is mostly office based, with busy periods around deadlines, interviews and hearings. 

Is a career as a forensic accountant right for me?

A career in forensic accounting may suit you if you enjoy solving puzzles and spotting inconsistencies that others might overlook. Useful strengths for this field include an interest in accounting, a curious and objective mindset, and the ability to explain complex information clearly to different audiences.

Other skills and attributes that suit this career include:

Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Digital and technical capability
Proficiency in using technology, digital tools, and relevant software.
Organisation
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.

How to become a forensic accountant

Every journey to study is individual, but most forensic accountants start out as qualified accountants. A bachelor degree in accounting gives you the technical base, and professional membership with CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) builds your standing. The forensic side usually comes from experience in audit, insolvency or investigations, and many people add postgraduate study in forensic accounting, data analytics or law once they know where they want to specialise.

Here is one path to becoming a forensic accountant:

  1. Complete an accredited accounting degree, such as UniSQ's Bachelor of Accounting.
  2. Start your career in audit, advisory, insolvency or tax to build practical accounting experience.
  3. Work towards the CPA Program or the Chartered Accountants Program to become a professional member.
  4. Move into a forensic, investigations or disputes team, or a fraud and financial crime role.
  5. Consider further study in forensic accounting, data analytics or law as you specialise.

Accreditation and qualifications

There is no separate licence to work as a forensic accountant, but most employers expect professional membership with CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia (CA ANZ). UniSQ's Bachelor of Accounting is accredited with both bodies, and graduates who complete the required core and Professional Accounting major courses meet their educational entry requirements. Registration as a company auditor or tax agent is a separate process and only required if your work includes those services. 

How long does it take to become a forensic accountant?

A Bachelor of Accounting takes three years of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent, and provides a foundation for a career in forensic accounting. Those interested in developing legal expertise alongside their accounting knowledge may choose the Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Laws double degree, which takes five years of full-time study.

Professional qualifications such as the CPA Program and Chartered Accountants Program are usually completed while working. Many forensic accountants then build experience in areas such as audit, advisory, risk, compliance or investigations before leading complex matters independently.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Start your journey towards a career in forensic accounting with a UniSQ accounting degree, building skills in accounting, auditing and business law.

Bachelor of Accounting
Go to degree
Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Laws
Go to degree
Need help planning your career journey?
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Analysing financial records, bank statements and transactions to identify irregularities.

Tracing funds and assets through accounts, companies and transfers.

Calculating losses, damages and business values for disputes and claims.

Interviewing staff and working alongside lawyers, investigators and auditors.

Writing expert reports and giving evidence in court or tribunals when required.

Where you might work

Accounting, consulting and professional services firms

Banks and financial institutions

Courts, tribunals and justice agencies

Data analytics and artificial intelligence organisations

Government agencies, departments and councils

Law firms

Forensic accountant FAQs

Pay for forensic accountants varies with experience, employer and whether you work in a firm, a bank or government. Pay usually rises as you move into senior, director and partner roles. Please see the salary information on this page for further details.

Most forensic accountants hold a bachelor degree in accounting that meets the educational requirements of CPA Australia or CA ANZ. A double degree in accounting and law is useful if you want to work closely on legal disputes. Postgraduate study in forensic accounting can help later, but it is not usually needed to start. 

Start with an accredited accounting degree, then build experience in audit, insolvency, advisory or tax. Complete the CPA Program or the Chartered Accountants Program, and move into a forensic or investigations team once you have a few years behind you. Strong data and report-writing skills will help you stand out. 

An auditor checks whether an organisation's financial statements are accurate and comply with the rules, usually on a regular cycle. A forensic accountant is brought in when something has gone wrong or is in dispute, and investigates in detail to explain what happened and how much was lost. Many forensic accountants start their careers in audit. 

Forensic accounting suits people who want accounting work with an investigative edge. Accountants carry a Strong future demand rating on yourcareer.gov.au, and fraud, financial crime and commercial disputes keep specialist skills in need across firms, banks and government. A UniSQ Bachelor of Accounting gives you the accredited foundation to start. 

Related careers

Accountant
Auditor

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).