But be forewarned: Although the work can have its moments - you might carry a gun and encounter dangerous situations in far-flung locations - typical responsibilities are more mundane than television images of G-men would suggest. FBI accountants spend much of their time deciphering complicated transactions and preparing detailed evidence for cases that may take more than a year to unfold.

Work for financial analysts, a second career path for accountants in the FBI, is even drier. Analysts work entirely from an office. FBI veterans say such positions are best-suited for people who don't want any exposure to risky field work.

Sophisticated Expertise

For decades, a small number of accountants have worked in law enforcement, including at the FBI. But in recent years, as criminals and terrorists have adopted more sophisticated strategies, demand for financial skills and other technical expertise in science and engineering has risen. "We continue to recruit in traditional areas (but) there has been a trend to diversify," says Cathy Viray, a supervisory special agent based in Los Angeles.

One more warning: Even if you live in California now, you may not start your career on the West Coast. Newcomers may request assignment, although the department has the final say-so and bases its decision on an office's needs. That said, the agency may transfer agents upon request.

The Process

Although the FBI doesn't break down recruiting by its more than 50 offices nationwide, Viray says among the 2,000 agents it hires each year, about 5 percent - roughly 100 recruits - are accountants.

Ken McGwire, a Los Angeles agent for the FBI, says the bureau is generally seeking CPAs with at least three years experience in public accounting, industry or government service. They must be no older than 37 to apply. "Our emphasis is now on people with more experience," says McGwire. "Skills transfer over. (And) we get the benefit of our recruits' hard knocks."

Indeed, a number of recruits typically come from well-known public accounting firms, sacrificing long-term advantages in compensation for what they see as more meaningful work. "Nobody has the mission that the FBI has," says McGwire. "You're going to be able to do things that not many other accountants are doing."

McGwire joined the department 24 years ago after stints in public accounting and industry. He now spends a significant amount of his time on cyber crime. He says he enjoys finding where criminals have buried information and the variety of experiences his job affords. "I can go all over the country and other countries and touch all sorts of topics and companies," he explains.

In addition, McGwire notes the FBI also affords agents a high level of autonomy. "I decide when a search warrant is necessary, when to pull an affidavit and the team to execute it," he says. "It gives you confidence in yourself."

Because of exhaustive background checking, recruiting may last a year from the time a candidate submits an application. Along the way, candidates must take a written exam testing their mathematical and communication skills and logical reasoning. The process also requires an interview, which targets such areas as candidates' response to pressure situations, leadership skills and the ability to work in teams. "The bureau is very interested in people who can take charge or cooperate in stressful situations," McGwire says.

Candidates should be familiar with basic accounting applications. Beyond that, McGwire says the bureau will provide continuing education in newer or more specific software. The FBI provides an annual, week-long training event that covers a range of important topics, and classes at other times of the year. Notes McGwire: "You can make a request for any accounting class that pertains to the job you're doing."

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