Accounting students had an unusual experiential learning experience on Friday, October 28, 2022.
The students were involved in a mock arrest and investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Special Agents served as coaches and role players. Students got an unusual experiential learning experience, the IRS got to recruit potential agents with an accounting background.​​​​​​​
Accounting students had an unusual experiential learning experience on Friday, October 28, 2022. The students were involved in a mock arrest and investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Special Agents served as coaches and role players. Students got an unusual experiential learning experience, the IRS got to recruit potential agents with an accounting background.
Indiana State University business students learned firsthand what it’s like to be an IRS Special Agent. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) conducted a daylong investigation simulation on campus known as “Citizen Academy.” The program has existed for more than two decades and ISU was its first stop in Indiana this year. 

The day began with students being “sworn in” as honorary agents. They were then divided into groups and given details of their cases involving financial violations. IRS Special Agents guided the students through the process of analyzing documents, interviewing suspects, and using investigative techniques.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jason Bushey told students that IRS CI promotes compliance and confidence in the tax system and the agents help ensure that everyone pays their lawful share of tax. “We also hope to inspire some of you to think down the road about a future career with IRS Criminal Investigation,” he said. 
"The students were able to experience a day in the life of an IRS Investigations agent," ISU accounting professor Dr. Alan Czyzewski said. "They investigated fraud through forensic accounting. The students solve one of three hypothetical financial crimes. Eleven agents led the students through three separate investigations involving undercover surveillance, talking to potential witnesses, obtaining and serving search warrants, and gathering evidence, which included going through garbage. The result of this investigation was an arrest."
One of the investigators was a distance student from northern California, April Halliday, who thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. "I have PTO and I travel so I have hotel points and I'm old enough to know that an IRS pension would be very good," she said.
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