Jumping from Public Accounting to FBI/CIA/LEO

  • This topic has 24 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Anonymous.
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  • #190665
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hey Everyone,

    Wanted to get some insight/thoughts on something I’ve been mulling over for a while. I currently work in Public Big 4 and am almost done with the CPA. I’ve always had a desire and willingness to help people, and while public offers some of that with helping clients, I want to do something more. Don’t get me wrong, public is a very rewarding job, but I want to know that I made a tangible difference at the end of the day. With that being said, I’ve strongly considered looking into the FBI/CIA, not as a frauditor, but as an agent. They say that having your CPA is a quick way in to the FBI, as following money trails is a big way to catch criminals. Just wanted to know if anyone has jumped from public to law enforcement, or known of anyone that has done it, and what there experience has been.

    Good luck on the score release fellow NINJAS!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
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  • #659700
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I also want to make the jump to the FBI and be an agent once I finish up my CPA. It seems like a very rewarding career. I looked into the FBI Special Agent requirements and I'm currently trying to get in shape for the phyiscal fitness portion. It seems intense.

    #659701
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @CorporetteCPAintheMaking I'm in the same boat. I've heard the physical is very difficult and after people have gone through the interview process they have been booted for failing the physical.

    #659702
    Gabe
    Participant

    What is the physical portion? Now I am curious.

    CPA, CFE
    CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

    #659703
    Anonymous
    Inactive
    #659704
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    There is always an IRS SPECIAL agent (as opposed to Revenue Agent).

    They handle criminal matters for the IRS and other Federal agencies. Some responsibilities outside of tax are counterterrorism financing, monel laudering, and narcotics related financial crimes.

    #659705
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    You get a gun too.

    #659706
    Lion_of_the_Rock
    Participant

    You're gonna spend a lot of time behind a desk as a FBI Agent with a CPA. And a LOT of time entering evidence once you find all the stuff you've been looking for.

    It's not going to look like anything you probably think it is. I'd check around and see if you know somebody in that field that could talk to you about it and give you a realistic idea.

    In my experience the physical requirement shouldn't be an issue if you train for it and are in relatively “decent” shape.

    This coming from a prior career in law enforcement in a major metro area and some class experience with an agent talking about his time in the FBI as a CPA. Also, if you have kids, I'd think twice because nothing makes you think about life more than when you're in an actual fight or dealing with someone who actually wants to hurt/kill you.

    I gave that junk up for a cubicle, but it was fun when I was in my 20s and didn't have a care in the world.

    BEC - 78
    AUD - 75
    REG - 74, 79
    FAR - 75

    You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

    #659707
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I played college basketball what seems like an eternity ago (in reality only 4 years) so I think I can handle the PT test if I train. I found it difficult to work a 40+ hour week, hit the gym for the training, and study for my CPA. I'm also recently married and didn't want to go to the Academy for 8 weeks? (not quite sure of the exact time there anymore) just yet. So I've got this on the back burner for the time being. Of course by the time I finish up this CPA and get in shape, my husband will probably be ready to have kids. So life may get in the way of this career choice.

    #659708
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I'm a current fed and going through the SASS (special agent selection system) at the moment. I believe the order is if you pass the initial screening, then you get invited to take phase I at a testing site. If you pass that, then at some point before finding out if you would be invited to phase II (structured interview + written test), you would attent a meet and greet, as well as submit a self-evaluated physical fitness test. Then you would need to pass the aforementioned fitness test upon successful completion of phase II. I can't say anything anout the details of phase I but you can look up how the test is setup on the FBI site and a lot of sites recommend something somilar to LSAT studies.

    Overall, it is a pretty big commitment and sacrifice as people have mentioned. The training is actually something like 20 weeks at Quantico I'm pretty certain. And you find out during those weeks what office you'd be assigned to, since you have to sign the mobility agreement saying you will go where needed.

    #659709
    Future Ninja
    Participant

    @chiguy4 any age requirement?

    AUD - 79 (expired) retaking July 28,2016
    FAR - 76 expiring July 31, 2016
    BEC - 85
    REG - 74,74,74,74,59,70,

    #659710
    wr8280
    Member

    Looked at the age requirement you have to be over 21 and under age 37

    FAR- 82
    REG- 93
    AUD- 89
    BEC- 88

    You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

    #659711
    wr8280
    Member

    By the way awesome thread. Is anyone attempting to get their certified fraud examiners license?

    FAR- 82
    REG- 93
    AUD- 89
    BEC- 88

    You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

    #659712
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Yup, that's right. And there's mandatory retirement in your mid 50s I think it is. I got my CFE last year in part to help for this kind of thing.

    #659713
    wr8280
    Member

    Sweet. Did you take a cpa prep course to prepare? How did you go about pursuing it?

    FAR- 82
    REG- 93
    AUD- 89
    BEC- 88

    You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

    #659714
    wr8280
    Member

    Sorry cfe prep course?

    FAR- 82
    REG- 93
    AUD- 89
    BEC- 88

    You are smarter, more focused, and more brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself and truly know in your heart that you can do it.

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