SME - Forensic Accountant

IEM is seeking Part Time- Forensic Accountant Subject Matter Expert to join our growing team. The Forensic Accounting Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides advanced financial analysis to support the Hermits Peak recovery program. This role is responsible for evaluating economic losses, reviewing claimant financial documentation, and developing clear, defensible SME reports that substantiate compensation amounts related to wildfire and post-fire impacts. The SME will analyze complex financial information-including income loss, business interruption, agricultural records, cost estimates, and supporting documentation-to determine accurate, program-compliant compensation recommendations. This is a specialized role requiring significant expertise in forensic accounting, financial analysis, and documentation review. Primary Location:

• Live within the United States including any US territory
• Work from a personal/home office location

Travel Requirements:

• This position may require travel to complete work assignments or attend meetings/trainings.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct detailed financial assessments to determine compensation for economic losses stemming from wildfire and post-fire conditions.
• Analyze financial records such as tax returns, profit and loss statements, receipts, ledgers, agricultural production logs, depreciation schedules, and other supporting documentation.
• Prepare high-quality reports that clearly outline methodologies, findings, calculated losses, and recommended compensation amounts.
• Identify inconsistencies, missing documentation, or unsupported claims and communicate clarifications needs to the team.
• Provide expert-level explanation of financial determinations to claimants, internal teams, and program leadership.
• Utilize digital platforms, claims-management systems, and data-tracking tools to support analysis and documentation.
• Apply industry standards, accounting principles, and program guidelines consistently across all assessments.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary SMEs (forestry, reforestation, erosion control, structural assessors, etc.) when claims involve combined losses.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Certification: At least one active, industry-recognized professional certification such as CPA, CFE, CFF, ABV, or CVA
• Degree: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Forensic Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of combined experience in forensic accounting, financial investigations, business loss evaluation, economic damage analysis, or related financial assessment work.
• Demonstrated experience preparing defensible financial analysis reports used for claims, economic loss determination, or compensation programs.
• Strong understanding of financial documentation standards, valuation methods, and calculation of economic damages.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial findings to non-financial audiences.
• Proficiency with accounting software, financial modeling tools, and digital documentation platforms.
• High degree of accuracy, analytical reasoning, and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with integrity and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting disaster recovery, compensation programs, wildfire-related claims, or FEMA/HUD-funded programs.
• Experience providing expert testimony or producing reports used in legal, regulatory, or administrative proceedings.
• Background evaluating agricultural financial losses, business interruption, or personal income impacts.

Additional Information:

• Personal Office / At Home Locations: All personal office/at home work environments require the ability to maintain minimum Internet speeds of 25 Mbps upload and 3 Mbps download, as well as a ping rate of 100 ms or less during working hours, regardless of the type and number of devices using your Internet connection. You must also have account privileges and access to your Internet service provider account during working hours for the purpose of maintaining the Internet connection, if needed.

Benefits and more:

• Hourly rate based on location and experience: $48.00 - $59.42 / hour.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All IEM employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment, if necessary, are made without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, creed, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. Reasonable Accommodation: IEM is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodation for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or employment process, please email [email protected] with specific details about the requested accommodation. All accommodation requests are reviewed case-by-case in compliance with applicable law. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job