Forensic Accounting in the Cyber World: A New Challenge for Accountants

Abstract

In many corporate environments, data exists not only on one employee's Personal computer (PC), but on a server (or multiple servers). Advances in cloud technology, with data stored at offsite locations across town or across the world, further complicate forensic efforts. FORENSIC accounting, forensic accountancy or financial forensics is the specialty practice area of accounting that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation. "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work. Forensic accountants, also referred to as forensic auditors or investigative auditors, often have to give expert evidence at the eventual trial.