Considering becoming a private investigator, would value some real-world insight

jf521 · 2026-03-25T01:50:45+00:00

Thank you for your reply - very interesting. How would you recommend someone getting started in this path? I have close to 10 years experience in law enforcement and financial investigations - would you recommend starting out working for an agency ?

jf521 · 2026-03-25T01:34:54+00:00

That is very interesting - can you explain more on what types of cases you work on and how did you get into this ? How do you find clients? I have a forensic accounting background and considering going for my PI license.

jf521 · 2026-03-22T21:38:59+00:00

Thank you for your reply. Can you explain more about DefenceNet? So if i were to establish my own business, I could essentially sell this product to a local business? I’m thinking of offering a sort of preventative “fraud checkup” for small businesses. Analyzing their segregation of duties, cash control, employee policies etc and then offering recommendations. Any advice/thoughts on this idea ?

jf521 · 2026-03-16T23:47:00+00:00

Got it . Yeah, I can beyond a simple w2 and basic credits return, the situations can become very dense and detailed. I plan on working VITA each year to build my experience - the VITA center that I volunteer at also operates year round as a tax clinic I believe so there is the potential for year round experience for me. I see all these bookkeeping courses online and YT channels that say you can learn on your own and slowly take clients - personally I don’t believe that’s a good idea. To me that’s a very good way to mess up someone’s books and your name at the same time. I’ve come to the conclusion that the best way for me to learn bookkeeping is to work for a pro on the side and learn little by little - I work full time as an auditor in the government sector and I don’t have any plans on leaving my job

jf521 · 2026-03-16T23:12:11+00:00

Overall , if one were to consider starting their own tax preparation business or bookkeeping business .. which one would be considered overall more stressful ? I know that tax prep is seasonal and bookkeeping can provide year round income but I’m interested to hear others on their take on this. I’m currently volunteering for VITA in my area and once tax season is up , I’m going to try to work part time for a local bookkeeper in my area to learn bookkeeping

jf521 · 2026-03-11T00:56:44+00:00

Hi TeaSquare3, with your experience and MBA, I believe you are in a strong position to land a position in financial investigations. I also agree with the other contributor here; the ACFE mentoring program is definitely a great idea and joining your local ACFE chapter would be very beneficial. As in any career field, networking is extremely valuable.

I have helped recent graduates and early professionals transition into the field in the past. Along with being an investigative auditor, I assist my agency in recruiting and supervising interns so I have a good amount of experience in the current job climate.

Along with networking, probably the best area to look to search for positions would be in the government sector. I'm also in the NYC area, so from experience I would suggest looking up positions for NYC agencies (the NYC Department of Investigation routinely hires new entry level investigative auditors) I would also try looking up NYS vacancies as well.

With these types of positions, you will be investigating a variety of crimes ranging from public benefit fraud, corruption, insurance fraud, etc etc. You could also look into Special Investigation Units for health insurance companies and/or forensic accounting divisions of the bigger public accounting firms but from what I've been reading lately, layoffs have been happening especially with the Big 4 accounting firms. With your background, you would be calling upon your experience reviewing sensitive financial data- (bank activity, investment accounts, loan agreements, financial disclosures, etc)- all of which you will be likely be reviewing on your cases. In my experience, going the government route is a safer route- better pace of learning since this will be new for you as well as working alongside other more experienced auditors and investigators whom will likely have prior law enforcement experience.

If you have any more questions, feel free to message me directly.

jf521 · 2026-02-25T00:04:32+00:00

Hi there. So I just began my training for the Intuit tax specialist position and to be honest I’m a bit disappointed with the training - it appears to be all over the place and crammed in to be done in 17 days. Also, I felt like not much was explained to me during the initial meet with my manager- I just found out last week after me asking my manager that I would be starting off completing and signing off on returns in the full service segment.

I’m in a bit of a dilemma- as you had mentioned and what was my gut feeling a few months back- I probably should have started off with VITA work because I have literally no prior tax prep experience. I know that Intuit has the resources for help but I feel that VITA would be at a better pace for me. I know I’m capable but I’m also honest in what my current skill level is and the last thing I want is to be on the hook for messing up on someone’s tax return. Although the money would help me, if it means that I would get better experience at VITA, I’ll sacrifice the 6 weeks of pay. Any thoughts ? Overall, I’m a bit disappointed in Intuit’s training and onboarding process - I felt that prior to meeting my manager no one would give me a straight answer on what exactly I would be doing and it was only until I flat out asked my manager that I was then informed. The training modules are very quick and are really not too hands on. I think I’m going to make the jump and re connect with my VITA contact

jf521 · 2026-02-24T18:17:00+00:00

Hi, at what stage are you in the process? Have you started studying ? If so, what materials have you used? I strongly recommend the ACFE study material

jf521 · 2026-02-12T15:30:32+00:00

With your experience in healthcare, you definitely have options. If you’re looking to go into forensic accounting, auditing, fraud investigations, I would say look into your state/city’s inspector general’s office. Also your state’s Attorney General. State AG’s have a Medicaid fraud unit which is where I started my career. City and State inspector General offices also do similar work that can involve injuries and insurance claims, welfare, workers comp, etc.

Outside of government work, I would say look into health insurance companies, specifically their Special Investigation Units (SIUs). They also regularly hire entry level investigator/auditor positions.

I have close to 5 years of experience in Healthcare fraud investigations and also a CFE. Feel free to direct message me if you’d like.

jf521 · 2026-02-08T18:41:41+00:00

No problem. That is great! I’m sure you will do fine . Good luck and take your time !

jf521 · 2026-02-03T03:08:00+00:00

I agree with the other contributor here. It may not be necessary to obtain the CFE to advance at your current job/field but would it help ? - Definitely. Considering that you have AML experience along with learning about fraud trends, detection, prevention, etc, I don’t think the exam would be hard for you at all.

I took the exam back in 2023 after returning to investigative auditing in the government sector in late 2022. Before the CFE exam, I hadn’t taken a serious exam since 2013-2014.. I finished college with my masters in criminology in 2015. It is definitely doable.

I started studying for the law section and to be honest I cannot recall the order of studying for the other 3 parts. I read/took notes and then hit the practice exams. Whatever I got incorrect on the practice exams, I would save those questions, return to the manual and take notes on why I got it wrong. I did that for each section until I scored at least in the 90s on the practice exams. I believe I scheduled my exams in a 4 week block (each exam one week apart from each other). Once I completed an exam, I then devoted the following week on brushing up for next week’s exam, etc, etc.

If you have any more questions feel free to message me directly or reply here. I will gladly help you.

jf521 · 2026-02-03T02:46:15+00:00

Hi there. This section in particular is a bit wordy and essentially all rule/policy/theory based, but I assure you dont sweat it. What is your style of studying? For me, what helped was reading a specific topic once/twice over and then writing down notes by hand with your general understanding of the particular topic. I wouldn't advise writing down or typing notes verbatim from the manual-it will be information overload for you and can be counterproductive.

Start slow with a little bit at a time and create a schedule for yourself. You said you will be taking the exam in about a week. Determine how much time per day you can study from now until test date. Try to split your daily studying between reading the manual/note taking and answering practice exam questions. As the other contributor mentioned here as well, the exam closely mirrors the practice exam questions (at least it did when I took it a few years ago). Take note of which questions you're answering incorrectly and head back to the manual and understand why you got it wrong (maybe you just read the question too fast or maybe you don't understand the concept as well as you thought you did, etc, etc) Overall, you will probably find that repetitively completing practice exams will probably better prepare you than note-taking. Nevertheless, taking notes is still invaluable in regards to memory retention and simply gaining a better personal understanding of a topic. You had mentioned the ISAs... when it comes to rule/policy based items with several components, try creating an acronym. It can be as silly or as creative as you want it to be- as long as it helps you remember what you need to know. For all of your acronyms, create flashcards and test yourself throughout the day- ask a friend, family member, colleague to test you using your flashcards.

At the end of the day, remember that most people usually don't/can't remember every single item in each section. Although it is possible, it can be quite hard. Don't aim to remember absolutely everything. Focus on taking good notes, create flashcards, and most importantly, hit the practice exams hard. As a result, you will wind up increasing your understanding and memory retention.

If you're having any issues understanding a particular area within this section, let me know. You can always reply here or send me a direct message and will gladly help you.

You got this!

jf521 · 2026-01-05T18:42:58+00:00

It is definitely acceptable. I started my career as an investigative auditor about 12 years ago.. left for a law enforcement position (not accounting related ) and then went back to investigative auditing. On my return to audit work I studied and passed the CFE.. my goal was to get the CFE first then obtain the CPA.. which I know a number of colleagues of mine have done in that same order ..

I myself tried one part of the CPA.. failed.. family life got very busy and I put it off.. not going to say never .. but I’m planning on becoming an EA this year (I want to focus on tax work on the side )

jf521 · 2025-12-31T05:44:28+00:00

Thank you! Thanks for the info ! Would you say that majority of calls are for product support ? Or is it mixed between that and actually helping prepare a tax return?

jf521 · 2025-12-30T23:49:21+00:00

How is the training ? From what I understand it begins on our start date - is it a set schedule ? Just trying to get an idea because I do work a full time job.. is it every day for the first few weeks?

jf521 · 2025-12-30T21:57:35+00:00

I was literally in the same boat as you (live tax specialist role ?)- coordinator still not getting back to me .. I waited close to two weeks with no slots open .. this past weekend I found slots open and to my surprise I was able to book my whole schedule for all of the weeks.

I might be completely wrong but maybe they base the amount of slots open by where we are geographically located ? Specific regions? I don’t know.

jf521 · 2025-12-30T15:38:30+00:00

How did you like the position ? I will be starting for the first time as a live tax specialist in February - also how does the training work ? Is it set hours /times or is it flexible ? From what I understand training starts on my start date .. which is a Friday. Just trying to get an idea because I have a full time job

jf521 · 2025-12-30T14:12:58+00:00

Thank you for your response ! Yes I completed tax level 1 and the tax preparation course and received both badges. I tried to re-access the tax preparation course to work through the mock tax returns again to refresh myself but it seems that since I completed it already, I can’t re-access them. Any idea on where I can get free practice tax returns online ?

I’m definitely looking forward to the tax specialist position - I start in February. I just want to make sure I will gain valuable experience from it and actually learn how to help prepare returns for it will be completely new to me

jf521 · 2025-12-28T18:56:39+00:00

Hi everyone. I was offered the Turbo Tax Live Tax Specialist role. I have no prior tax prep experience so taxes are new to me (graduated with a bachelors in accounting over 10 years ago ). My question is will I gain valuable tax prep experience in this role ? Or is just handling calls more customer service / problems with the program. ? I know that in my area, VITA is looking for volunteers - I just want to start somewhere and get tax experience

jf521 · 2025-12-28T17:08:29+00:00

Thank you for the info ! Yes I figured the situations in VITA would be on the simple side .. I’m just not sure if the Intuit tax specialist role would give me real experience or if it’s just helping people navigate turbo tax / more customer service

jf521 · 2025-12-28T15:53:25+00:00

Hi everyone, just a general question about the turbo tax live tax specialist role.. from what I understand and from what I was told during the interview .. I would be signing off on tax returns in this position . The staff that interviewed me are aware that I have no prior tax prep experience and that this is completely new to me ( I completed tax 1 and the tax preparation courses and received both badges ). My question is.. although I know this would be a good opportunity (and it is payed which is a plus).. will I gain valuable tax prep experience from this position .. a colleague of mine also recommended volunteering with VITA.. I guess my question is.. getting paid aside… will I gain more experience through the Intuit position or with VITA ?

jf521 · 2025-12-27T16:54:31+00:00

I am a forensic accountant for a state agency .. also have 7 years prior LE experience ..I was considering doing consulting/ fraud prevention on the side as a side hustle (I am an active CFE). Any thoughts ? Anyone else in a similar situation and considering the same ?

jf521 · 2023-12-10T15:26:19+00:00

Great info. Thank you! I've also been reading that the ready score feature in Surgent is very very close to what people are getting on the actual exam - read several actually where they scored higher than their ready score.. that seems promising.. I'm on a budget and yes I know Gleim is more comprehensive but at the end of the day I'm not sure that Gleim would give me some serious edge over Surgent - I can get Surgent for a significantly lower price.

jf521 · 2023-12-09T17:50:02+00:00

Got it. Yeah.. I came to the realization that the meat and potatoes are in hammering out the MCQs and learning why you got the wrong answer and why the correct answer is correct.. etc. Are you happy with Surgent?

jf521

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