Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Kessler International, the leading forensic accounting, computer forensics and corporate investigations firm announced today the release of the results of a nationwide survey detailing each state’s licensing requirements as a private investigator when practicing forensic accounting or computer forensics. The results of the survey can be found here: http://www.investigation.com/surveymap/surveymap.html

Kessler’s survey included private investigation licensing agencies and boards of every state in an effort to secure an official opinion as to the requirements regarding PI licensing when practicing these professions. The survey disclosed drastic variances among the States which responded to the survey.

The questions that were asked of each state licensing board or agency are:

1) Does your State require that a Public or Private Accounting Firm be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator in order to provide forensic accounting services?

2) Does your State require that a CPA, working as an employee of a Private Investigation Firm, be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator?

3) Does your State require that an accountant who is engaged in providing forensic accounting services, on behalf of a Public or Private Accounting Firm, have to be licensed/registered as a Private Investigator?

4) Does your State require that a Computer Forensic Technician who is engaged in providing computer forensic services to the general public have to be licensed as a Private Investigator?

5) Does your State require that a firm offering computer forensic services be licensed as a Private Investigator in order to provide the service to the general public?

Prior to hiring or practicing as a forensic accountant or computer forensic examiner it is suggested that you consult with an attorney who is familiar with the licensing laws for the particular state.

The responses in this survey in some cases are the interpretations of the responding agency. Kessler International has determined that some responses from these agencies reflect conflicting opinions from the State’s Attorney General Office regarding private investigative licensing concerning the practice of forensic accounting and computer forensics.

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