[lager1829]

Does/has anybody here ever worked for the FBI? I know they employ many CPA’s in their white collar crime units.

For those that have worked for the bureau or know someone who has, how was the experience? What are the pros and cons of working there? What prerequisites do they have and what is the interview process like?

[yourmomsaCPA]

That's actually why I got my accounting degree in the first place. I had no clue what accounting really was until I sat in my first class in college.

I interviewed and was selected to test. I took the Phase I test and passed (it was actually decently hard and I didn't study). If you qualify (so, you're accounting degree + 2 years work experience), they should at least select you to test if they're currently hiring agents. After I got my pass results, I had to sit and really decide if I wanted to be placed WHEREVER they saw fit. You get to put 3 preferences but you don't know for sure until your finished with your 16 weeks at Quantico. My husband shares 50/50 custody of my stepson so he HAS to stay in this area. If I didn't get placed here, I would've had to move…and now that I have kids, I could've never done it!

Plus, I'm super hot and would have *always* been playing the prostitute role, know what I'm sayin'?

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[yourmomsaCPA]

That's actually why I got my accounting degree in the first place. I had no clue what accounting really was until I sat in my first class in college.

I interviewed and was selected to test. I took the Phase I test and passed (it was actually decently hard and I didn't study). If you qualify (so, you're accounting degree + 2 years work experience), they should at least select you to test if they're currently hiring agents. After I got my pass results, I had to sit and really decide if I wanted to be placed WHEREVER they saw fit. You get to put 3 preferences but you don't know for sure until your finished with your 16 weeks at Quantico. My husband shares 50/50 custody of my stepson so he HAS to stay in this area. If I didn't get placed here, I would've had to move…and now that I have kids, I could've never done it!

Plus, I'm super hot and would have *always* been playing the prostitute role, know what I'm sayin'?

FAR - 87 2/18/14
AUD - 84 4/2/14
REG - 87 7/23/14
BEC - 78 8/26/14

I'm finally an *official* CPA - TX

[WRXdriver]

i was a criminal justic major in college, didnt start thinking about accounting until i sat through a FBI presentor and realized it was a specialized skill they hired from! fast foward 3 years and i finished undergrad with CJ degree and my masters in accoutning and depending how tomorrow goes will be done the CPA exam and applying for my license! been working as a forensic accounting for the past year and a half doing business valuations and divorce litigation. Just waiting and learning until i can man up and apply to the FBI!! its my dream job

Far- 78 (1/7/13)
Aud- 79 (5/13/13)
Bec- 80 (7/19/13)
Reg- 61 (12/6/13) waiting (2/17/13)

[WRXdriver]

i was a criminal justic major in college, didnt start thinking about accounting until i sat through a FBI presentor and realized it was a specialized skill they hired from! fast foward 3 years and i finished undergrad with CJ degree and my masters in accoutning and depending how tomorrow goes will be done the CPA exam and applying for my license! been working as a forensic accounting for the past year and a half doing business valuations and divorce litigation. Just waiting and learning until i can man up and apply to the FBI!! its my dream job

Far- 78 (1/7/13)
Aud- 79 (5/13/13)
Bec- 80 (7/19/13)
Reg- 61 (12/6/13) waiting (2/17/13)

[lager1829]

@ yourmomsaCPA – so you're currently an agent? How do you like the work?

@WRXdriver good luck to you! I wish I had your conviction.

I have relatives that have worked for/with the FBI so they were the ones that introduced me to the idea. I never gave it serious thought before, but I just completed my first busy season in big 4 audit and I don't envision myself staying long-term.

Ultimately, I'd like something more fulfilling and with a better work-life balance.

[lager1829]

@ yourmomsaCPA – so you're currently an agent? How do you like the work?

@WRXdriver good luck to you! I wish I had your conviction.

I have relatives that have worked for/with the FBI so they were the ones that introduced me to the idea. I never gave it serious thought before, but I just completed my first busy season in big 4 audit and I don't envision myself staying long-term.

Ultimately, I'd like something more fulfilling and with a better work-life balance.

[zieba]

one lager too many

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

one lager too many

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[rugger246]

At the FBI there are two types of investigative career paths for someone with an accounting degree or CPA.

1.) Special Agents – these are probably what most people think about when someone says FBI. They are the sworn law enforcement who investigate cases, carry firearms, and have badges. They hire from a diverse pool of applicants, check out the FBI website for information on hiring areas (i.e. accounting, law, engineering, computer science, languages, etc.). Most always involves relocating and being assigned wherever the FBI has a need. Thus, just because you are a CPA does not mean you will be assigned to work white-collar crime. It is possible you could get assigned to Miami working organized drug cartels and not NYC working Wall Street fraudsters.

2.) Forensic Accountants – an investigative support position that assists agents in investigating federal crimes, but they have no law enforcement powers. Most always approach cases from the financial side of things. Thus looking through financial documents (i.e. bank records, tax returns, business records, etc.) to assist in proving the case. Tend to be more specialized in the financial analysis and more into the weeds or details to find specific illegal transactions or follow the money to see what the subject did with it. Expected to provide guidance and expertise on many facets of accounting to include; internal controls, financial statement reporting, taxes, and banking. This is especially true as they may assist agents who have no prior education or training on such matters. FBI offices tend to hire these positions for a specific locations so mobility is not much of an issue as you apply for one specific location. Since this is not a law enforcement position there is no age cap on when you can apply, unlike the agent job where 37 is the age limit. I heard that some positions may be available in many locations nationwide as the government budget was passed recently allowing hiring to resume.

Both seem to have there pros/cons…it just depends on what you are looking. If interested I suggest you do some internet searching and reach out to your local FBI field office to learn more about these career paths.

AUD - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed (Perfect Score of 75 to finish it off)
REG - Passed

[rugger246]

At the FBI there are two types of investigative career paths for someone with an accounting degree or CPA.

1.) Special Agents – these are probably what most people think about when someone says FBI. They are the sworn law enforcement who investigate cases, carry firearms, and have badges. They hire from a diverse pool of applicants, check out the FBI website for information on hiring areas (i.e. accounting, law, engineering, computer science, languages, etc.). Most always involves relocating and being assigned wherever the FBI has a need. Thus, just because you are a CPA does not mean you will be assigned to work white-collar crime. It is possible you could get assigned to Miami working organized drug cartels and not NYC working Wall Street fraudsters.

2.) Forensic Accountants – an investigative support position that assists agents in investigating federal crimes, but they have no law enforcement powers. Most always approach cases from the financial side of things. Thus looking through financial documents (i.e. bank records, tax returns, business records, etc.) to assist in proving the case. Tend to be more specialized in the financial analysis and more into the weeds or details to find specific illegal transactions or follow the money to see what the subject did with it. Expected to provide guidance and expertise on many facets of accounting to include; internal controls, financial statement reporting, taxes, and banking. This is especially true as they may assist agents who have no prior education or training on such matters. FBI offices tend to hire these positions for a specific locations so mobility is not much of an issue as you apply for one specific location. Since this is not a law enforcement position there is no age cap on when you can apply, unlike the agent job where 37 is the age limit. I heard that some positions may be available in many locations nationwide as the government budget was passed recently allowing hiring to resume.

Both seem to have there pros/cons…it just depends on what you are looking. If interested I suggest you do some internet searching and reach out to your local FBI field office to learn more about these career paths.

AUD - Passed
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed (Perfect Score of 75 to finish it off)
REG - Passed

[fsugirl2005]

Oh and also with these jobs, be prepared to be scrutinized because you will experience one of the most extensive background checks you'll ever experience.

REG - 78
FAR - 79
AUD - 76
BEC - 75

I have been on this journey off and on for over 10 years. I think it's about time that I wrap this up.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[fsugirl2005]

Oh and also with these jobs, be prepared to be scrutinized because you will experience one of the most extensive background checks you'll ever experience.

REG - 78
FAR - 79
AUD - 76
BEC - 75

I have been on this journey off and on for over 10 years. I think it's about time that I wrap this up.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[Author]

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