The governing council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has approved a new specialty credential in forensic accounting.

The speciality in financial forensics will encompass bankruptcy and insolvency, computer forensics, economic damages, family law, fraud investigations, litigation support, stakeholder disputes and valuations.

To qualify, a CPA must be an Institute member in good standing, have least five years' experience in practicing accounting and meet minimum requirements in relevant business experience and continuing professional education.

The AICPA reports that CPAs accounted for 94 percent of forensic experts hired over the last two years.

The credential, launching in early fall, will be the fourth of the Institute's specialty credentials, joining personal financial specialist, accreditation in business valuation and certified information technology professional.

See www.aicpa.org for details.