Forensic Accountant

Company: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Location: Palatine
Posted on: June 30, 2025

Job Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION At the FBI, we don’t just recognize talent—we strengthen and elevate it. We employ individuals who are not only ready to bypass billable hours and enhance their investigative skills but are also looking to contribute effectively to their teams. Forensic accounting is one of the most sought-after FBI careers. As a forensic accountant, you will apply your expansive knowledge of financial analysis to plan, coordinate, and direct the financial reporting aspects of investigations in conjunction with special agents, prosecuting attorneys, and other law enforcement agencies. You will conduct fraud investigations that include financial, corporate, health care, mortgage securities, and commodities fraud. Your expertise will also apply to counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cybercrime, virtual currency, organized crime, and public corruption investigations. The forensic accountant role has no age limit, no firearm requirement, and no physical fitness test —you just need a passion for solving complex financial challenges and protecting the American people. With the FBI’s robust benefits package, you’ll find career advancement opportunities, a competitive salary that values your contribution, and a retirement plan for long-term security. Working at the Bureau will help you become more efficient, expand your skill set, and advance your career —all while making a significant impact on national security. Set yourself apart. Apply today. HOW TO APPLY STEP 1 : Click on the “Apply” button to be directed to the FBIJobs Careers website. STEP 2 : Click the “Start” button to begin. You will be prompted to either sign in to continue or register with FBIJobs if you don’t already have an account. STEP 3 : Follow the step-by-step process to submit your interest. You will be guided through each step. You must complete all sections of the form AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED to successfully submit your interest. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Other supporting documents: College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement. Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later. Please see instructions on the site for attaching documents. SALARY LEVEL Pay level for this position: GS 11–12: $73,939.00–$140,476.00 Salary is commensurate with base, locality, and availability pay. MAJOR DUTIES Provide knowledge about accounting and financial practices, securities, banking laws and systems, conventional and nonconventional financial institutions, and for-profit/nonprofit businesses. Develop or assist with developing new forensic accounting techniques applicable to various financial investigations. Independently conduct forensic analysis of financial data. Conduct and coordinate the examination of financial aspects of the investigation in cooperation with case agents, prosecuting attorneys, and others. Assess the value of financial evidence and unravel sophisticated techniques for moving funds and shielding illegal activity. Provide financial profiles of individuals and groups. Compile detailed financial findings and conclusions to prepare in-depth forensic accounting reports. Use various computer applications to review and interpret implications on a vast number and variety of financial transactions and other corporate, business, and financial processes, associations, and record-keeping systems. Produce detailed financial investigative reports and exhibits. Participate in subject and key witness interviews and testify as needed as a fact and/or expert witness in judicial proceedings. Develop and provide forensic accounting presentations/briefings. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-11: Applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience (SE) equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is defined as follows: Perform examination and analysis over several financial investigative or audit areas. Utilize accounting, auditing, analytical, technical, and/or investigative skills. Provide knowledge of various accounting and financial practices, securities, banking systems, financial institutions, and/or businesses to colleagues or clients. GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one year of specialized experience (SE) equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows: In addition to the above: Independently perform complex examination and analysis of several financial investigative or audit areas. Employ advanced accounting, auditing, analytical, technical, and/or investigative skills. Provide guidance regarding forensic accounting and financial practices, worldwide securities, banking laws, regulations and systems, financial institutions, and/or national and international businesses to various audiences. Review work of and/or provide guidance to less-experienced staff. KEY REQUIREMENTS Must be a U.S. citizen. Must be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance. Must be willing to travel as required. Must meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college or university in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to six hours of credit in business law. Education may be substituted for specialized experience (SE) as follows: GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. GS-12 and above: Education may not be substituted for SE at this grade level. All degrees must be verified by submitting college transcripts. CERTIFICATIONS Preferred professional certifications include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Selectees who are not FBI financial analysts or forensic accountants are required to attend a mandatory five-week Forensic Accountant Core Training Session (FACTS) held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The FBI will notify employees of established training dates in advance. The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other nonmerit factors.

Keywords: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Palatine , Forensic Accountant, Accounting, Auditing , Palatine, Illinois