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Forensic Accountant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

J.S. Held LLC

Forensic Accountant, Family Law

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$85K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an experienced forensic accounting professional to join our Economic Damages & Valuations team as a Senior Consultant , supporting engagements primarily focused on family law and ...

J.S. Held LLC

Forensic Accountant, Family Law

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$85K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an experienced forensic accounting professional to join our Economic Damages & Valuations team as a Senior Consultant , supporting engagements primarily focused on family law and ...

E Logic

Senior Forensic Accountant

Washington, DC · Remote

$80K/yr

E-Logic, Inc. is hiring a Senior Forensic Accountant to conduct complex financial investigations and money-laundering analyses in support of Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC ...

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Ardent Eagle Solutions

Forensic Accountant

Washington, DC · On-site

$31 - $57/hr

The Finance/Accounting Specialist III will serve as a senior-level subject matter expert supporting complex antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations for the Department of Commerce.

Ardent Eagle Solutions

Forensic Accountant

Washington, DC · On-site

$31 - $57/hr

The Finance/Accounting Specialist III will serve as a senior-level subject matter expert supporting complex antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations for the Department of Commerce.

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All JobsForensic Accountant JobsForensic Accountant Jobs in Reston, VA

Forensic Accountant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$59.3K

$88.6K

$159.2K

How much do forensic accountant jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic accountant in Reston, VA is $88,614.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,900.00 and $88,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Forensic accountants and senior-level accounting professionals can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, certifications like CPA or CFE, and working in high-paying industries or senior management roles. However, such salaries are typically achieved after many years of experience and often involve leadership positions or consulting work.

What exactly does a forensic accountant do?

A forensic accountant investigates financial records to detect fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes. They analyze data, prepare reports, and may testify in court, often using accounting software and adhering to legal standards. Their work supports legal proceedings and helps organizations prevent financial misconduct.

Do I need a CPA to be a forensic accountant?

A CPA license is not strictly required to work as a forensic accountant, but many professionals in the field pursue CPA certification to enhance their credibility and job prospects. Forensic accountants often have backgrounds in accounting, finance, or auditing, and additional certifications like the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) can also be valuable. Skills in accounting software, investigation, and report writing are essential in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Accountant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Accountant, you need strong analytical skills, detailed knowledge of accounting principles, and a relevant degree such as a bachelor’s in accounting or finance, often supplemented by certifications like CPA or CFE. Familiarity with forensic accounting software, data analysis tools, and advanced Excel functions is typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for investigating and explaining complex financial issues. These competencies enable forensic accountants to detect fraud, support legal proceedings, and deliver reliable financial analysis.

What Is a Forensic Accountant?

A forensic accountant is an accountant who investigates potential financial crime or fraud cases, typically those that involve litigation or legal and criminal disputes. Usually, they are the main investigator analyzing the books and financial holdings that may become evidence in a court case. Their analyses, documentation, and findings are presented to lawyers, judges, and juries, and often, the forensic accountant will testify as a subject matter expert on the evidence.

What are forensic accountants?

Forensic accountants are specialized professionals who use accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to examine financial records for use in legal proceedings. They help uncover fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes by analyzing complex financial data and presenting their findings in reports or as expert witnesses in court. Their work is crucial in both criminal and civil cases, including disputes, insurance claims, and divorce proceedings. Forensic accountants often collaborate with law enforcement, attorneys, and other experts to provide clear, evidence-based conclusions.

What is the difference between Forensic Accountant vs Auditing Accountant?

AspectForensic AccountantAuditing Accountant
CertificationsCPA, CFECPA, CIA
Work EnvironmentLegal cases, investigations, litigation supportFinancial statement audits, compliance reviews
Industry UsageLegal, insurance, fraud detectionPublic accounting firms, corporations

While both forensic accountants and auditing accountants hold CPA credentials and work within the accounting industry, forensic accountants focus on investigations related to fraud and legal cases, often working with law enforcement or legal teams. Auditing accountants primarily perform financial audits to ensure accuracy and compliance in financial statements. Their work environments and objectives differ, with forensic accountants specializing in uncovering financial crimes and auditing accountants ensuring financial integrity.

What are some common challenges forensic accountants face when working on fraud investigations?

Forensic accountants often encounter challenges such as incomplete financial records, uncooperative witnesses, and attempts by perpetrators to conceal evidence. Navigating complex financial transactions and translating findings into clear, actionable reports for non-accounting audiences can also be demanding. These professionals must remain detail-oriented and persistent while collaborating closely with legal teams, law enforcement, and clients to build a strong case.

Is forensic accountant a good career?

Forensic accountants analyze financial data to investigate fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes, often working for accounting firms, law enforcement, or corporations. The career offers strong job growth, competitive salaries, and requires skills in accounting, auditing, and investigation, often supported by certifications like the CPA or CFE. It can be a rewarding field for those interested in finance and legal processes.
More about Forensic Accountant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Accountant jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Forensic Accountant jobs in Reston, VA are:
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What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Forensic Accountant jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Forensic Accountant job openings:
Forensic Accountant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Accountant job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,614 per year, or $42.6 per hour.
Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountant

Applied Information Sciences

Washington, DC

$119K - $179K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Why AIS?

When you join AIS, you're joining a mission-driven team that's passionate about making a difference. You'll work on projects that matter, alongside industry-leading experts, in an environment that fosters innovation, driving client success, and empowering our team to make a lasting impact. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, inclusivity, continuous growth, and shared success.

  • Employee Ownership: Your contributions directly impact the company's success, and you share in its achievements.

  • Continuous Learning: Access to resources, training, and mentorship to support your professional growth.

  • Inclusive Culture: A workplace where diversity is celebrated, and everyone's voice is valued.

  • Mission-Driven Work: Engage in projects that make a meaningful difference for our clients and communities.

What are we looking for?

At AIS, we're looking for more than just skills - we're looking for driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and aligned with our core principles.

What you will be doing?

This position is contingent upon contract award. We are currently pursuing a proposal and are seeking qualified candidates to include in our submission and identify candidates for future hiring needs on the program once awarded.

At AIS, we are dedicated to providing our employees with diverse opportunities to grow their careers while supporting a variety of impactful projects. For this position, we are seeking a talented individual to join AIS as a Senior Forensic Accountant. As your initial project assignment, you will support the unique needs of our client as a Forensic Accountant.

Project Summary

AIS supports a Federal customer providing program and administrative support, analyzing fraud complaints, conducting proactive analysis of data, and providing specialized investigative support for criminal investigators conducting fraud and corruption investigations throughout the US.


Key Responsibilities

  • Provide forensic auditing, accounting or other professional services to include analytic reports, summaries, graphs and charts for use in investigations, Congressional requests and testimony in support of investigations.

  • Participate in strategic planning sessions with case agents, fraud investigative groups and task forces to identify fraud schemes affecting the organization.

  • Provide expertise in financial crimes investigations by providing input to affidavits and subpoenas and recommending possible investigative steps.

  • Compile and analyze data material, including but not limited to financial and tax records, invoices, complaint data, digital media, and contract and grant related information to help identify fraud and related criminal offenses and associated parties.

  • Compile, analyze, and/or audit complex financial business records to support investigations and prosecutions.

  • Support requests for on-site forensic financial analysis.

  • Help analyze and build financial profiles to identify criminal offenses, trends, and patterns to identify the infrastructure that makes up fraud and money laundering scheme(s).

  • Review and analyze various law enforcement, financial and procurement databases and conduct open-source searches to obtain necessary business records to support investigations and prosecutions.

  • Input researched and analyzed data into various professional products such as statistical analysis summaries, forensic accounting reports, graphs, or charts, and power point presentations for law enforcement use.

  • Utilize i2 Analyst's Notebook, Bank Scan, Microsoft Excel and Power Point, and other software as needed to support forensic financial analysis.


Required For This Opportunity

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or applicable professional field.

  • A minimum of 10 years of forensic accounting experience supporting Federal law enforcement investigations.

  • Fully proficient in the use of i2 Analyst's Notebook, Bank Scan, Microsoft Excel and Power Point, and other software as needed to support forensic financial analysis.

  • Active Secret Clearance.


Nice to Have Skills

  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Certification

At AIS, we are committed to offering competitive and fair compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and contributions of each team member. The targeted base salary range for this role is $119,000-$179,000 per year. Please note that this range is provided as a guideline and the final offer will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, skillset and competencies, level of experience, education, certifications, and location. We value transparency in our hiring process and are happy to discuss how your unique qualifications align with our compensation structure during the interview process.

Applied Information Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

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