Updated: Friday, July 10th, 2009

Although most people think of accounting careers as available mainly in the corporate sector, it turns out people with such skills can also help authorities solve financial crimes.

At the end of last month, 17 Rochester-area high school students participated in the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Professions program, established in 1987 by the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants as a way to get minority students interested in pursuing accounting degrees.

According to Democrat and Chronicle, one of the speakers was Keniel Ledgister, a special agent for the IRS who investigates financial crimes, who spoke about his career in forensic accounting.

"The doors are going to be open for them," he said, quoted by the newspaper. "I hope I can give them the opportunity to see what they can do with their futures."

Government experts predict that demand for accountants and auditors will grow at a brisk pace of 18 percent for the next seven years, and top salaries will exceed $94,050. Meanwhile, criminal investigators will see their jobs growth average 17 percent during that same period.

Those who are interested in either career, or in combining both, have a range of bachelors and masters programs to choose from, offered either by business schools or as online degrees.

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