AIPCA Debuts Forensic Accounting Mentorship Program

The American Institute of CPAs has begun offering a forensic accounting mentorship program. The Certified in Financial Forensics Mentor Program is designed for AICPA members who want to develop their skills and business practices in forensic accounting with the help of more experienced forensic professionals.

Interested CPAs who apply to the program will be paired with mentors who hold the AICPA’s Certified in Financial Forensics credential. Mentors will be assigned to protégés based on an individualized model that weighs their specific needs and interests. Mentors will provide guidance and help protégés understand how the financial forensics industry works, while easing their assimilation into the field.

CPAs who specialize in forensic accounting perform work in areas such as bankruptcy and insolvency; electronic data analysis; family law; valuations; fraud prevention; and damages calculations, the AICPA pointed out.  Research from the Institute forecasts increasing demand for forensic services, thanks to increasing litigation and regulatory enforcement.

“As demand for forensic accounting services have grown, we’ve seen a corresponding increase in interest from our membership,” said Robert Harris, who chairs the AICPA’s CFF Credential Committee and formerly chaired the AICPA. “The AICPA developed the CFF Mentor Program to provide guidance for CPAs who are just entering the field of forensic accounting and more experienced CPAs looking to take the next step in their forensic practice. Our volunteer mentors are available to share their knowledge and experience on practice management issues, industry-wide best practices and serve as a resource for protégés.”

The AICPA established the CFF credential in 2008 for CPAs who specialize in forensic accounting. The CFF credential is granted exclusively to CPAs who have met rigorous education, experience and testing requirements.

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