Final answer:
A forensic accountant is a professional who combines accounting with investigative skills to detect and prevent fraudulent business activities. They work on financial records, serve as expert witnesses, and investigate white-collar crimes, often collaborating with law enforcement agencies like the FBI.
Step-by-step explanation:
An accountant who combines accounting and investigative skills to scrutinize business activity for potential fraud is referred to as a forensic accountant. These professionals apply their accounting knowledge and investigative acumen to uncover and prevent fraudulent activities within businesses. They might be involved in situations such as examining financial records for inconsistencies, testifying as expert witnesses in fraud cases, or investigating white-collar crimes. Forensic accountants can be employed in various environments including law firms, law enforcement agencies, and private companies.
Forensic accountants are similar to OCI Special Agents in the sense that both roles involve investigation of criminal activities. While OCI agents are armed and come from criminal investigation backgrounds focusing on a broader spectrum of criminal violations, forensic accountants usually focus on the financial aspects of investigations. They often work closely with law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local agencies, to pursue criminal cases, particularly those that involve financial fraud such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and false statements. They play a key role in developing the technical and science-based aspects of financial criminal cases, akin to how OCI agents collaborate with ORA Investigators in the Office of Criminal Investigations.