Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts

Also called: Certified Fraud Examiner, Confidential Investigator, Financial Investigator, Forensic Accountant, Forensic Audit Expert

Varies

estimated salary

Fraud examiners, investigators, and analysts obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding the resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.

  • Document all investigative activities.
  • Prepare written reports of investigation findings.
  • Analyze financial data to detect irregularities in areas such as billing trends, financial relationships, and regulatory compliance procedures.
  • Gather financial documents related to investigations.
  • Interview witnesses or suspects and take statements.
  • Review reports of suspected fraud to determine need for further investigation.
  • Conduct in-depth investigations of suspicious financial activity, such as suspected money-laundering efforts.
  • Lead, or participate in, fraud investigation teams.
  • Prepare evidence for presentation in court.
  • Coordinate investigative efforts with law enforcement officers and attorneys.
  • Testify in court regarding investigation findings.
  • Recommend actions in fraud cases.
  • Evaluate business operations to identify risk areas for fraud.
  • Create and maintain logs, records, or databases of information about fraudulent activity.
  • Maintain knowledge of current events and trends in such areas as money laundering and criminal tools and techniques.
  • Advise businesses or agencies on ways to improve fraud detection.
  • Negotiate with responsible parties to arrange for recovery of losses due to fraud.
  • Train others in fraud detection and prevention techniques.
  • Design, implement, or maintain fraud detection tools or procedures.
  • Conduct field surveillance to gather case-related information.
  • Research or evaluate new technologies for use in fraud detection systems.
  • Arrest individuals to be charged with fraud.
  • Obtain and serve subpoenas.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 88% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 71% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 64% responded "Extremely important".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 55% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 68% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 60% responded "Some freedom".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 50% responded "Very important".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Update professional knowledge.
  • Train personnel to enhance job skills.
  • Update professional knowledge.
  • Collect evidence for legal proceedings.
  • Obtain documentation to authorize activities.
  • Inform individuals or organizations of status or findings.
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Knowledge

Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Economics and Accounting
  • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
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Skills

Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft SQL Server Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Structured query language SQL Hot Technology
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
  • TriZetto QNXT
  • Vertafore ImageRight
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP Business Objects Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
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