TWR Podcast Episode 92: Robert Nordlander, CPA

Robert Nordlander is a retired IRS criminal investigator, an author, and also a CPA. In the latest episode of The Woodard Report Podcast (sponsored by RightWorks), Heather Satterley interviewed Nordlander, who shared the story and insights of his unique career path—blending accounting with law enforcement, and discusses the rigorous training involved in becoming a special agent for the IRS.

Nordlander also touched on some of the current challenges facing the accounting profession, the potential role of AI in criminal investigations, and his thoughts on addressing the talent crisis.

From childhood dreams to IRS criminal investigations

As a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s, Nordlander was influenced by popular TV like "CHiPs," "SWAT," and "Miami Vice." His father was also a CPA.

“He said, ‘Son, you could go anywhere around the world [if you if you have an accounting degree],’” Nordlander said. “And I said, ‘Well, the FBI always hires a lot of accountants!’ So I went ahead as a young kid, and then started going to the accounting field, just because I knew it was a skill set that could be used worldwide.”

This led Nordlander to pursue a career in accounting while also nurturing his interest in law enforcement. After spending some time working as a CPA and serving as a reserve deputy sheriff, he eventually discovered the IRS’s criminal investigations division, which perfectly blended his skills and passions.

In June 2000, Nordlander joined the IRS as a special agent in the Criminal Investigation (CI) division, where he spent over 20 years before retiring in March 2021. His role involved undercover operations, executing search and arrest warrants, and investigating tax crimes and money laundering. He described IRS CI as a unique agency where agents must have an accounting background, making them particularly effective in white-collar crime investigations.

Nordlander underwent a rigorous training process for IRS criminal investigators at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, Georgia. The training took six months, the first three of which focused on general law enforcement skills alongside agents from other federal agencies. The remaining three months focused on IRS-related training, including tax laws and financial investigations.

Nordlander said that while a CPA license isn’t required to become an IRS criminal investigator, having real-world accounting experience helps; he said that agents with experience in public or private accounting tend to grasp the complexities of financial crimes more quickly, although all agents eventually reach a similar level of expertise over time.

The changing landscape of the accounting profession

Nordlander and Satterley also touched on the current challenges facing professionals in the accounting industry—particularly the decline of young people pursuing CPA careers. Nordlander suggested that the flexibility and opportunities available in smaller accounting practices, where professionals can enjoy a balanced lifestyle and still achieve financial success, is a good avenue for young people to break into the industry.

Satterley shared these sentiments, adding that early education about the profession is crucial to attracting new talent.

AI and the future of IRS criminal investigations

Satterley asked about the role of AI and machine learning in IRS criminal investigations. Nordlander said that while these technologies could enhance certain aspects of investigations, the core issue remains the quality and motivation of the personnel.

While the technology can be useful for some things, he said that successful investigations still require human judgment and expertise, particularly when interpreting complex financial data and making critical decisions.

Robert Nordlander’s contributions to the field

In addition to his impressive career, Nordlander has published three books aimed at helping both accounting professionals and legal practitioners navigate the complexities of tax law and IRS investigations. His books include: