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Data Forensics Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

As a Digital Forensic team member in Crowe's Consulting Practice , you will be assisting in the ... The role requires sufficient technical skill to understand and address data file issues, identify ...

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As a Digital Forensic team member in Crowe's Consulting Practice , you will be assisting in the ... The role requires sufficient technical skill to understand and address data file issues, identify ...

New

As a Digital Forensic team member in Crowe's Consulting Practice , you will be assisting in the ... The role requires sufficient technical skill to understand and address data file issues, identify ...

New

The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership skills with deep business acumen, executive presence, customer advocacy, and expertise within eDiscovery, legal technology, data forensics ...

The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership skills with deep business acumen, executive presence, customer advocacy, and expertise within eDiscovery, legal technology, data forensics ...

Maintains knowledge of current technology and best practices to extract digital data in an accepted ... Bachelor's degree incomputer science, computer forensics, cybersecurity, computer information ...

The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership skills with deep business acumen, executive presence, customer advocacy, and expertise within eDiscovery, legal technology, data forensics ...

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Data Forensics information

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$34

$65

$82

How much do data forensics jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for data forensics in Illinois is $65.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57.98 and $74.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is data forensics?

Data forensics, also known as digital forensics, involves the identification, preservation, analysis, and presentation of electronic data in a way that is legally admissible. Professionals in this field investigate cybercrimes, data breaches, and unauthorized access by collecting digital evidence from computers, networks, and other devices. Their work is crucial for legal proceedings, internal investigations, and ensuring data security. Data forensics experts use specialized tools and techniques to recover, analyze, and document digital evidence while maintaining its integrity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data forensics specialist?

To excel as a Data Forensics Specialist, you need expertise in computer science, digital investigations, and a strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like EnCE or GCFA. Familiarity with forensic analysis tools such as EnCase, FTK, and X-Ways, as well as knowledge of operating systems and file systems, is crucial. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong communication skills set top performers apart in this field. These skills are vital for accurately uncovering digital evidence and presenting findings clearly in legal or organizational contexts.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in data forensics, and how can they be managed?

Data forensics professionals often encounter challenges such as working with incomplete or corrupted data, maintaining strict chain-of-custody protocols, and staying current with rapidly evolving technologies. Managing these challenges requires strong attention to detail, continual learning, and close collaboration with IT, legal, and compliance teams. Additionally, clear documentation and adherence to industry best practices help ensure the integrity and admissibility of digital evidence throughout investigations.

What is the difference between Data Forensics vs Digital Forensics?

AspectData ForensicsDigital Forensics
CertificationsEnCE, GCFAEnCE, GCFA
Work EnvironmentInvestigating data breaches, data recoveryAnalyzing digital devices, computers, mobile devices
Industry UsageIT security, cybersecurity firmsLaw enforcement, legal cases
Search & Comparison IntentData recovery, data breach investigationCybercrime, device analysis

Data Forensics focuses on recovering and analyzing digital data, often related to data breaches or data integrity issues. Digital Forensics encompasses a broader scope, including analyzing digital devices and media for legal or investigative purposes. While overlapping, Data Forensics is more specialized in data recovery, whereas Digital Forensics covers a wider range of digital evidence analysis.

Infographic showing various Data Forensics job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,265 per year, or $65.5 per hour.

Job description

This position is to serve as an expert in forensic accounting; particularly, its use and application to provide the greatest benefit to OIG. These responsibilities include providing support to regional offices, and Office of Investigations headquarters unit(s). The incumbent is responsible for assisting with OIG investigations by conducting forensic analysis of financial data and working with investigators to unravel various techniques for moving funds and shielding illegal or improper activity

Qualifications:

GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience:

  • Conducting forensic accounting or financial analyses to identify fraud, waste, abuse, or financial irregularities.
  • Examining accounting records, bank records, contracts, invoices, tax records, grants, or other financial documents to identify questionable transactions or noncompliance with laws and regulations.
  • Preparing financial analyses, investigative reports, or audit support documentation for management, investigators, auditors, or legal proceedings.
  • Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), government accounting standards, auditing principles, and applicable federal laws and regulations.
  • Collaborating with investigators, auditors, attorneys, or law enforcement personnel to support criminal, civil, or administrative investigations.

GS-13: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience:

  • Independently planning, coordinating, and conducting complex forensic accounting investigations involving fraud, financial crimes, or misuse of government funds.
  • Reconstructing complex financial transactions; tracing the movement of funds; identifying concealed assets; and analyzing financial evidence to support criminal, civil, or administrative investigations.
  • Providing technical expertise to investigators, prosecutors, auditors, and management officials on forensic accounting matters and developing investigative strategies.
  • Preparing comprehensive forensic accounting reports and presenting findings through briefings, written reports, or expert testimony before judicial or administrative proceedings.
  • Applying advanced knowledge of GAAP, government accounting, appropriations law, federal grants and contracts, OMB guidance, Treasury regulations, and GAO standards to evaluate compliance and support enforcement actions.
  • Developing innovative forensic accounting methodologies, mentoring junior staff, or leading significant portions of complex financial investigations.

All documents must be received and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.  Your resume must be well documented with the specialized experience, otherwise you may be deemed ineligible.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE qualifications for the grade(s) at which you are requesting consideration. Applicants must meet qualifications and time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Your resume will be evaluated based on the following competencies:

  • Technical Credibility
    • Applies professional knowledge of forensic accounting, GAAP, government accounting principles, auditing standards, financial systems, and federal laws and regulations to analyze financial data, identify fraud, and support criminal, civil, and administrative investigations.
  • Analytical Thinking
    • Examines complex financial records, identifies trends and irregularities, reconstructs financial transactions, evaluates evidence, and develops logical, evidence-based conclusions to support investigations and enforcement actions.
  • Problem Solving
    • Identifies financial issues, develops innovative approaches to uncover concealed assets and fraudulent transactions, recommends investigative strategies, and resolves complex accounting and financial challenges.
  • Oral Communication
    • Effectively communicates complex financial information to investigators, attorneys, auditors, judges, juries, and management through interviews, briefings, expert testimony, and presentations.
  • Written Communication
    • Prepares accurate, well-organized forensic accounting reports, investigative summaries, financial analyses, and supporting documentation that clearly present findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legal and administrative proceedings.
Education:Individual Occupational RequirementsBasic Requirements
  1. Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")

    OR

  2. Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:
    1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
    2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
    3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
Employment Type: OTHER