How to Write a Forensic Accounting Paper
A degree in forensic accounting is a valuable tool. The industry is exploding as more businesses and government institutions actually relying on accountants to look into their financial data should there are any discrepancies in accounting procedures, revenue data, or accounting books of record. Forensic accounting uses both auditing and accounting practices to investigate legal issues.
Despite the growing interest and enthusiasm shown from the number of students enrolling for this forensic accounting program, many of them aren’t sure how to write a forensic accounting paper. Here’s some instructions on how to write a forensic accounting paper.
Instructions :
Step 1
Choose your topic by narrowing the subject as much as possible. Only review the subjects which you are familiar with. To get ideas, check out the financial news for accounting investigations which are in process. You can also check professional publications such as Accounting Web. The field of forensic accounting is wide open and touching on more and more issues, therefore once will easily loose out their focus if they don’t stay focused. Find a topic which can easily be researched from multiple sources, and always find something that you are interested in.
Step 2
Create an outline to keep your document focused. Review your forensic accounting resources and brainstorm several topics you would like to discuss, create several sub-points for these topics. Review the outline to make sure coherent is taken care of; the paper need to include the introduction, the body of work and a good conclusion as well as subheadings that lead to the coverage of accounting methods, and how to keep up with changing financial regulations. Consider the word length in each part of the outline is within the Proper range.
Step 3
Once you have finalized on your outline, you can create a thesis statement. This statement is at the end of your introduction paragraph and explains what your forensic accounting paper will discuss.
Step 4
Develop a draft of your forensic accounting paper. The paper should include an introduction paragraph, thesis statement, body paragraphs and conclusion. The body of the paper should include evidence that supports your thesis statement. Make sure to use several accounting resources and not one. The National Association of Forensic Accountants can provide professionals you can interview to add relevant insights into your subject matter.
Step 5
Put your paper away for a few days. After your draft is complete, don’t look at your paper for a few days. This gives you an opportunity to review the paper again with a fresh frame of mind the very next time. You will be able to identify any missing information and errors more effectively then. It may take several drafts before you finalize the paper.
Step 6
Break down the actual writing process into sections that are more manageable. Set a deadline for yourself for completing each section. Write each section in a free-flow style while following your notes and the outline. Include published and professional forensic references in each section. Deadlines and attention to detail with good analysis skills are important traits for a forensic accountant to possess, and it is essential to input this value into the paper.
Step 7
Put all the sections together and reread the final paper from start till the end repeatedly. Make necessary changes, removing extraneous and correcting necessary errors. Check the word count; cut extra words and sentences if the paper is too long.
Step 8
Last but not least, ask someone with some degree of forensic accounting experience to read your paper before turning it in. if can, try to use new contacts in the industry to read your paper and point out any shortcomings. Give yourself at least a week to make adjustments to complete the finishing touch.