Investigative Interviews Conducted by Forensic Accounting and Auditing Professionals

Abstract

Interviews conducted by both forensic accountants and auditors are an important task associated with either role in gathering information that progresses inquiries. Auditors interview clients about the collectability of accounts receivable, or the appropriateness of significant accounting estimates such as goodwill impairment. Forensic accountants interview clients when financial fraud is suspected in cases of asset misappropriation, bribery, larceny, and financial statement fraud. However, training in the task and the literature concerning how the task should be undertaken is disjointed, outdated both by the science and developments in practice undertaken elsewhere. Anecdotally, although new auditors spend nearly twenty five percent of their engagement time performing interviews and partners spend nearly forty percent performing interviews, there is virtually no formal training on how to conduct an interview at the undergraduate and graduate level.