Robert Nordlander on Fraudsters, IRS CI, and Building a Career in Forensic AccountingKelly interviews forensic accountant and former IRS Criminal Investigation agent Robert Nordlander about fraud, career paths, and professional development. Nordlander names Kevin Mitnick, Marc Rich, and Charles Ponzi as fraudsters he’d most like to have dinner with, and argues most fraudsters are more charismatic than smart. Asked who steals more, he says women more often in embezzlement due to greater representation in office and bookkeeping roles, while men more often commit violent theft. He recounts becoming a CPA, serving as a city councilman and reserve deputy in North Carolina, then spending nearly 21 years in IRS CI before starting a forensic accounting practice during COVID. He discusses why IRS CI excels at following money, enjoys criminal tax defense and bankruptcy cases, explains challenges of innocent spouse claims, and advises aspiring fraud investigators to get training, seek mentorship, use LinkedIn strategically, and create content such as a podcast.Connect with Robert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-nordlander/https://www.nordlandercpa.com/https://www.forensicscpe.com/courses/index.htmlhttps://my-cpe.com/continuing-education/robert-nordlanderhttps://my-cpe.com/continuing-education/robert-nordlander01:03 Dinner With Fraudsters04:24 Who Steals More08:54 From CPA to IRS CI14:26 Why IRS Follows Money17:26 Too Jaded for Fraud TV21:33 Tax Shelter Trouble22:51 Defending Criminal Tax Cases27:47 Criminal Tax Secrets28:11 Choosing the Right Cases29:17 Why Bankruptcy Works30:59 Bankruptcy as Marketing32:02 Bankruptcy Filing Gotchas33:03 Innocent Spouse Explained36:23 Asset Seizure Realities39:40 Training for Fraud Work42:27 Courses and Mentorship47:34 Build a Podcast Career50:39 Handling Criticism Online