There are three essential characteristics or skills needed to be successful as a
forensic accountant which includes critical thinking, reasoning, and
communication (Rufus, Miller, & Hahn, 2015). First, critical thinking is essential
because the process of a critical thinker allows for effective investigations and
reduces the chance for biases. In addition, critical thinking attributes to
consideration of all known evidence, allows for proper consideration of evidence,
context, and methodologies, and self-awareness, and persistence (Rufus et al,
2015). a Secondly, reasoning includes deductive, inductive, and intuitive reasoning
because forensic accounting is evidence-based and requires conclusions (Rufus
et al, 2015). The logicalness of deductive reasoning allows for valid conclusions
through the identification of two or more general assumptions and applies
accepted truths to specific scenarios (Rufus et al, 2015). Yet, inductive reasoning
uses patterns through observations to draw a conclusion. This provides forensic
accountants the ability to deal with probabilities and meet the legal concept of
“standard of proof” (Rufus et al, 2015). Additionally, intuitive reasoning provides
an individual the ability to understand others. This characteristic needs to be
used cautionary due the nature of the characteristic relying on personal bias and
misconceptions can easily occur (Rufus et al, 2015). Finally, communication is
essential to provide accurate and precise representations of the forensic
accountant’s findings for each scenario (Rufus et al, 2015). In many cases the
information being conveyed by forensic accountants is to individuals that are not
necessarily knowledgeable in the area. Meanwhile, the expert opinion must be
stated in a legally sufficient manner and based on reliable data, facts, and
methodology (Rufus et al, 2015).
The career field that most interests me, currently, because of the path that I am
on with my current job. As a CPA, positions that a forensic accountant
knowledge plays a role in are External Auditor, Valuation Analyst, Expert Witness,
Consulting Expert, and Fraud Investigator (Rufus et al, 2015). With each of
these positions the characteristics and skills discussed above provide an
individual with a strong foundation to server in each unique scenario that occurs.
In addition, life experiences aid in the development of these skills which I have
experienced over the last ten years while working under a CPA. Once I become
proficient in one area my boss starts adding more information and investigative
tasks which allows me to incorporate critical thinking and reasoning
skills.References:
Rufus, R. J., Miller, L. S., & Hahn, W. (2015). Forensic accounting. Boston,
MA:Pearson.
There are three key skills that must be satisfied for one to be a successful
forensic accountant. Those skills include critical thinking, reasoning, and
communication (Rufus, Miller, & Hahn, 2015). By forensic accountants
possessing critical thinking skills, they are able to be rational and consider
evidence in an unbiased manner, be skeptical, which allows them proper
consideration of evidence, and most importantly, be self-aware as to not let their
own feelings change the course of making the right decisions (Rufus, Miller, &
Hahn, 2015). Secondly, reasoning allows for one to draw conclusions based on
the facts that are presented to them. There are two types of reasoning: deductive
reasoning and inductive reasoning. While our text also discussed intuitive
reasoning as being used, one must proceed with caution because intuitive
reasoning is more about feelings and less about factual information (Rufus, Miller,
& Hahn, 2015). Deductive reasoning is drawing conclusions based on premises
generally assumed to be true (Indeed, 2022). For example, if one says that a
trunk of a car is large, and a bike does not fit into it, then you may also deduce
that the bike is also large. Inductive reasoning, simply put, draws conclusions
from patterns (Rufus, Miller, & Hahn, 2015). An example of this could be when
autumn comes, leaves change colors and fall to the ground. Therefore, we can
come to the conclusion that this will take place every year because autumn is one
of the seasons that comes every year. The last skill, and probably the most
important in my opinion, is communication. A forensic accountant must be skilled
in written and oral communication. Sometimes, a forensic accountant must report
their findings and research to a judge or jury. Therefore they must make sure their
reports of the facts are “clear, concise, and grammatically correct” to bring the
knowledge gap between the expert and the audience to a close.
As stated above, I would like to go down the career path of a CPA by becoming
an auditor. In our text, an external auditor, along with valuation analysts, expert
witness, consulting expert, and fraud investigator are all careers that can be
obtained with forensic accounting skills (Rufus, Miller, & Hahn, 2015). For
example, as an external auditor one must possess professional skepticism just
like a forensic accountant because you are reviewing and analyzing a company’s
process and procedures and the management’s assertion must be proven.
References
Indeed. (2022, August 17). Deductive Reasoning: Definition, Types and
Examples. Retrieved from Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-
development/deductive-reasoning
Rufus, R., Miller, L., & Hahn, W. (2015). Forensic Accounting. Boston: Pearson
