Discover Forensic Accounting with CA Durgesh Pandey

Cracking the code: CA Durgesh Pandey’s journey into forensic accounting

What happens when curiosity meets numbers—and adds a dash of courtroom drama? You get forensic accounting: a field where spreadsheets meet investigations and chartered accountants turn into financial detectives.

In this episode of Coffee with CA, host Geena Bharwani sits down with CA Durgesh Pandey, a pioneering forensic accountant whose journey spans small-town beginnings, linguistic hurdles, courtroom corridors, and global recognition.

From Gorakhpur to global: Pandey’s early steps

Pandey’s story begins in Gorakhpur, a small city in Uttar Pradesh. After 10th grade, he faced a familiar fork in the road: science or commerce? With his marks closing the door on science, commerce wasn’t a dream—it was a detour.

But sometimes, the right path finds you.

By 2002, he completed his B.Com, and in 2008, he became a chartered accountant. What began as Plan B soon became a lifelong calling.

Diving into practice: A leap of faith

While many newly minted CAs opt for the safety of a steady job, Pandey took the entrepreneurial plunge straight into starting his own practice.

Why? The “Gujarat DNA of entrepreneurship,” as he puts it, pulled him in.

It wasn’t easy. Competing against well-established firms, landing that elusive first client, and managing month-end cash crunches—he’s been through it all.

“In the beginning, it felt like swimming in a shark tank,” he laughed.

Finding his niche: The forensic spark

Pandey knew he didn’t want to get lost in the crowd. Around 2011, while browsing online, something clicked: Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). At the time, forensic accounting was virtually unknown in India—and even globally, it was just gaining traction.

There were only two CFEs in Gujarat. That was all the convincing he needed.

What is forensic accounting anyway?

Picture this: fraud, financial disputes, complex trails of money, and someone who can decode it all. That’s the forensic accountant—part number cruncher, part truth-seeker, part expert witness.

It’s accounting with an edge. And Pandey saw the future before it arrived.

Breaking barriers (and language stereotypes)

One of Pandey’s early challenges? Not speaking Gujarati, the local business language. But instead of being daunted, he leaned in.

Today, that same language skill lets him connect not just in Ahmedabad, but with Gujarati business communities from East Africa to the UK.

Building the field: From courtroom to ICAI

Pandey didn’t just practice forensic accounting—he helped shape it.

During the pandemic, he worked with ICAI to develop India’s forensic standards through weekly virtual meetings. These now serve as a gold standard globally, making structured forensic investigations more accessible and credible.

Who can be a forensic accountant?

Thanks to open resources, anyone can begin learning the ropes—from YouTube videos to ICAI standards—but certifications bring credibility.

Pandey believes chartered accountants have an edge.

“For us, accounting is like oxygen,” he said.

It’s not about finding fraud—it’s about understanding the financial health of a business, much like how a doctor diagnoses illness, not inventing it.

Global impact: Training law enforcement around the world

Pandey has trained over 20,000 officers across 30+ countries, helping police, prosecutors, and regulators build evidence-based cases. His insights help trace money trails across borders and hold fraudsters accountable with precision and clarity.

Fun facts & personal side

Beneath the serious exterior, Pandey is a mix of wit, warmth, and Hyderabadi biryani.

• He once conducted a full session for 20 Arabic-speaking officers, using only an interpreter—neither party knew English!
• He’s the head chef at home, though his wife has “mixed feelings” about that.
• If not a CA, he’d have become a lawyer, drawn to the power of language and logic.
• And when it comes to life? He leaves the detective work at the office. “I prefer not to carry Sherlock Holmes home.”

Why forensics matters more than ever

In today’s complex business world, forensic accountants don’t just uncover the truth—they help protect it. With rising demand, formal frameworks, and professionals like Durgesh Pandey leading the way, the field is more crucial—and exciting—than ever.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful impact with your accounting skills, forensics might just be your calling.