Forensic accounting and the FBI

Michael Cannizzaro, Verrazano Class of 2018, earned a degree in Accounting with a minor in Business-Finance.


Ah, the Verrazano Capstone.  The very project that we feared as freshman and felt would never come.  I'll never forget logging onto the VELA website to see VELAs to come and learn about the capstone.  I was curious what it was and attended one of the VELAs that had information about it.  Hearing about the project literally made me nervous thinking, "Wow how am I going to do this, what is going to be my topic, what professor should I ask to help me oversee it?"  Looking back now I can only laugh at how silly I was.

For the past year, I was extremely stumped at how to even begin my capstone.  I had no idea what topic to use, and thought the two page paper I got in my sociology class was long, how was I going to write a whole thesis?  After asking Cheryl and Cynthia probably about 700 questions how to go about starting it, I really started to sit down and brainstorm topic ideas.  As hard as I tried, I really couldn't think of a topic that interested me enough.  I was beginning to really worry if I would get a topic and finish my project in time.

Michael with Albana Duka, volunteering at Verrazano Orientation

It was the beginning of the summer and many of my friends were starting new internships.  I would see them, and they would tell me all their new experiences and it was amazing to hear.  One day my friend John whom I hadn't seen in a while asked me to go out and I went.  After we caught up, he began telling me about his brand new accounting internship at the FBI.  The job John was doing at the FBI was as a forensic accountant.  He was telling me stories of what he did, and how interesting all the cases they worked on were.  He mentioned how it was so different than what the average person thinks an accountant does.  I became wrapped up in it, and thought how interesting it was.  It was during that conversation that it hit me; this is what I should do my capstone on!  Finally, my worries were over.

Choosing to do my Capstone on forensic accounting and how it helps the FBI was a great decision, and I'm so glad I made it.  During my research, I learned so much about what forensic accountants really did, and how they aren't just important to the FBI, but to companies everywhere.  I also learned about the certifications they can get and statistics they released about fraud.  My favorite part of the project was learning about all the cases that were solved because of forensic accounting and how many dangerous criminals were put behind bars as a result.  

Completing the project made me realize one day I would really like to be involved in forensic accounting, specifically at the FBI.  I don't know when, or if it will be possible in my career, but I plan on doing everything I can to try and make it happen.  
I want to thank The Verrazano Program for helping me find a passion through the capstone, and of course for everything else they did for me during my years at CSI.  My advice to incoming freshman would be to not be scared of the idea of the capstone, find something you are passionate about and it will be much easier than you think!