A STUDY ON THE RELEVANCE OF FORENSICS ACCOUNTING: THE PERCEPTION OF PROFESSIONALS LINKED TO THE MONEY LAUNDERING COMBAT

This paper aimed to investigate the perceptions of professionals engaged in activities related to money laundering combat and the importance of Forensic Accounting as an instrument of investigation regarding criminal practices on economic and financial activities. This research was conducted through a structured survey, submitted to 84 participants of the third module of the course of Money Laundering Combat ministered by the Department of Assets Recovery and International Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice of Brazil. The results showed that Forensic Accounting is perceived as an important component in the fight against money laundering and the production of evidence in the criminal organizations investigative process. Respondents also argue that there is a demand for graduation and post graduation, to train professionals in this area, given the degree of sophistication of such crimes, which constitute an unconventional type of crime. All accountants and economists in the sample have intention to participate in post-graduation courses in Forensic Accounting, an opinion shared by 69% of respondents who have no training in accounting and economics. Most of the professionals in the sample have used professional services with economic and financial expertise in conducting anti-money laundering activities.