Forensic accounting isn't a particularly well known area because firms don't hire from the ranks of entry level candidates, or send recruiters to college job fairs. People joining regular public accounting programs aren't likely to learn about this field because it's not the best publicized. That can make it hard to know if you want to move into this area if you're still early on in your career. To know whether or not a job is right for you, you'll have to know what it's like, after all.
This field has a great deal in common with regular law enforcement. You can compare a forensic accountant to a policeman on patrol - there's a lot of routine work with little urgency, but from time to time, you'll be in an emergency. You'll suddenly need to travel a lot, work longer hours, and do so on relatively little notice. This requires flexibility, dedication, and passion. The work is intellectually stimulating and extremely interesting for people who love to work out puzzles, but it can also be draining.
Surprisingly, this kind of work matches the temperaments of accountants in the younger generations, famous or infamous for their desire for variety and interest in their work. This is why graduates may find that forensic accounting is a better choice than going into public accounting and then moving to private work. A lot of accountants use their public experience to join the corporate world, completely unaware that there are other options available to them. Accountants can do a lot more than just balance the books and do taxes.
Some also wrongly believe that this specialty offers no opportunities for advancement. That's just plain wrong - there are a lot of other options available if this isn't the right career for you. Forensic accountants can become compliance officers, controllers, and auditors, among others. You can also move back into your old field if you decide that you prefer it over doing forensic accounting work. There's no reason to feel like advancing into a field of this kind is going to leave you trapped in your career. There are always options.
If forensic accounting seems like a good choice, you'll need to do a few things before you jump in. You have to be willing to seek training and certification for investigating fraud, have two to four years of good quality experience, be tenacious and passionate about puzzle solving, and have good attention to detail. Try going to a seminar on the subject, take a course in fraud investigation, or talk to professionals in the field. You may be surprised by what you find out.
