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Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $81,100 Median per year · $38.99/hr Most earn $48,460–$151,490

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Recommend actions in fraud cases.
  • Lead, or participate in, fraud investigation teams.
  • Lead, or participate in, fraud investigation teams.
  • Analyze financial data to detect irregularities in areas such as billing trends, financial relationships, and regulatory compliance procedures.
  • Evaluate business operations to identify risk areas for fraud.
  • Interview witnesses or suspects and take statements.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 9,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service21.3%
  • Credit intermediation and related activities15.7%
  • Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities10.5%
  • Management of companies and enterprises6.3%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools4.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Fraud examiner is not usually a first job out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree and then spend about 2 to 4 years in related work, such as auditing or claims, before moving into fraud investigation.

  1. Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or criminal justice

    4 years

    You build the basics of money, records, and investigation, which employers expect for fraud work.

  2. Staff Auditor

    1-2 years

    You learn how to check financial records, spot irregularities, and document what you find, which is the core of fraud examination.

  3. Fraud Examiner

    Usually reached after 2-4 years of related work

    You investigate fraud allegations, gather evidence, take statements, write reports, and sometimes testify about your findings.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Fraud Examiner

    Several years as a fraud examiner of experience first

    You take on harder, higher-stakes cases, lead investigations, and mentor newer examiners.

  2. Fraud Investigations Manager

    Several years of experience as a senior examiner of experience first

    You plan and oversee a team's caseload and fraud prevention work, which requires strong leadership and communication skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and statistics classesStrong math skills help you read financial records and understand patterns in data, which is central to fraud work.
  • Take English and writing coursesInvestigators write detailed reports and explain findings clearly, so strong writing is a big advantage.
  • Join a debate or mock trial clubThese activities build careful reasoning and the ability to explain facts clearly, similar to testifying about findings.
  • Get a part-time job that involves handling money or recordsWorking at a store register or bank-type job shows you are reliable with money and helps you learn how businesses track transactions.
  • Volunteer with a tax-prep or community money programHelping people with their finances teaches you how records work and builds trust and attention to detail.

In college

  • Major in accounting, finance, or criminal justiceAccounting teaches how money trails work, and criminal justice teaches investigation and evidence, and both connect directly to fraud examination.
  • Take courses in forensic accounting, auditing, or fraudSpecialized classes show you how fraud schemes work and how examiners find them, which helps you stand out to employers.
  • Pursue an internship with an accounting firm, bank, or corporate audit teamReal experience with financial records is often the step that gets you your first related job after graduation.
  • Join a student accounting or finance clubClubs offer networking, case competitions, and a chance to meet working professionals in the field.
  • Work a campus job that involves records or budgetsJobs like working in a campus bursar or financial aid office show you how institutions track money and follow rules.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for accounting or audit internships early. Hands-on experience with records and numbers is what hiring managers look for first.
  • Consider a certification in fraud examination later in your career. Many examiners pursue one after they have some work experience.
  • Practice clear writing. Fraud examiners write reports and may need to explain findings to lawyers or juries, so good writing matters a lot.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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