How to Become a Government Fraud Investigator

Various agencies of the federal government have job openings for fraud investigators. The New York Times reported in March 2009 that the financial crisis of 2008 resulted in many allegations of fraud, leading to increased demand for fraud examiners. Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began recruiting men and women with accounting and computer science backgrounds to help investigate fraud cases. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the number of investigators has increased, and these professionals earned a median annual salary of more than $90,000.

Instructions

Becoming a Government Fraud Examiner

1. Complete your college education. A career in fraud examination and investigation, whether in the government or the private sector, requires the minimum of a bachelor's degree, often in accounting, forensic accounting, or a related field. Computer science is another degree appropriate to a career as a fraud examiner, as these investigators must be skilled in computer-based transactions and financial data.

2. Earn a Certified Fraud Examiner certification from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, a national trade organization for fraud investigation professionals. To become a CFE, you must be a member of the ACFE and meet academic and professional qualifications. These include a bachelor's degree or at least two years of fraud-related professional experience.

3. Apply for your first fraud examiner job and gain experience. Looking for a government job, especially at the federal level, can seem intimidating because of the multiplicity of agencies and the vast array of job titles. Fortunately, there are resources available to simplify and focus your job search. The federal government's Office of Personnel Management maintains an online employment information system known as USAJOBS. Agencies hiring fraud investigators include the FBI, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Small Business Administration. Many fraud investigators work in their departments' office of inspector general.

4. Continue your education and training in fraud investigation. Maintaining your CFE certification requires that you complete at least 20 hours of continuing education a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider starting your government career as an accountant or auditor if no fraud examiner jobs are available. The USAJOBS site will have information on these jobs, which will help prepare you for a fraud investigation career. Many fraud investigators start their careers in forensic accounting, internal auditing and related fields before going into fraud examination.

References

• The New York Times - fraud investigator jobs
• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Getting a Job in the Federal Government

Resources

• USAJOBS - U.S. Office of Personnel Management
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners