CareerGPS

Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Financial Specialists, All Other
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
1,197 1,289 91 7.63% 18 97 116 $34.25 $71,245 Bachelor's degree
Description: Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Maintain knowledge of current events and trends in such areas as money laundering and criminal tools and techniques.
  • Train others in fraud detection and prevention techniques.
  • Research or evaluate new technologies for use in fraud detection systems.
  • Prepare evidence for presentation in court.
  • Negotiate with responsible parties to arrange for recovery of losses due to fraud.
  • Conduct field surveillance to gather case-related information.
  • Testify in court regarding investigation findings.
  • Advise businesses or agencies on ways to improve fraud detection.
  • Review reports of suspected fraud to determine need for further investigation.
  • Prepare written reports of investigation findings.
  • Recommend actions in fraud cases.
  • Lead, or participate in, fraud investigation teams.
  • Interview witnesses or suspects and take statements.
  • Design, implement, or maintain fraud detection tools or procedures.
  • Gather financial documents related to investigations.
  • Evaluate business operations to identify risk areas for fraud.
  • Document all investigative activities.
  • Create and maintain logs, records, or databases of information about fraudulent activity.
  • Coordinate investigative efforts with law enforcement officers and attorneys.
  • Conduct in-depth investigations of suspicious financial activity, such as suspected money-laundering efforts.
  • Analyze financial data to detect irregularities in areas such as billing trends, financial relationships, and regulatory compliance procedures.

Knowledge

86%
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
79%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
68%
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
67%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
63%
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
62%
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
61%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
61%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
60%
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
60%
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
56%
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
50%
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

78%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
75%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
75%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
75%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
75%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
65%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
65%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
65%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
62%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
60%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
56%
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
53%
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
50%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
50%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Abilities

81%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
81%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
75%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
75%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
75%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
72%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
72%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
69%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
69%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
65%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
62%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
62%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
60%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
56%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
53%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
53%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
53%
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Work Activities

95%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
91%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
87%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
86%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
85%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
83%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
82%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
82%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
82%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
82%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
82%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
78%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
78%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
78%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
77%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
69%
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
68%
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
67%
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
65%
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
64%
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
63%
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
63%
Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
63%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
62%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
58%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
58%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
57%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
56%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
55%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
51%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Overall Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Styles

Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.