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Lynda Schwartz

Professor of Practice | Director of Forensic Accounting and Data Analytics Curriculum

Accounting
Lynda Schwartz is an expert in forensic accounting and data analytics, with a focus on fraud examination and risk assessment.  She directs the Isenberg’s forensic accounting and data analytics cu

Lynda Schwartz is an expert in forensic accounting and data analytics, with a focus on fraud examination and risk assessment.  She directs the Isenberg’s forensic accounting and data analytics curriculum and teaches courses in forensic accounting and fraud examination. Schwartz is also a certified public accountant (CPA). She is certified in financial forensics (CFF) and is both a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). She serves on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Forensic and Valuation Services Executive Committee. In 2026, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) honored Lynda with its Educator of the Year Award, recognizing her pioneering curriculum development and excellence in training the next generation of anti-fraud professionals. In 2021, the AICPA named her a Forensic & Litigation Services Volunteer of the Year for her contributions to the practice and profession of forensic accounting.

Education

BBA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Professional Experience

Forensic Accountant and Financial Expert Witness, Lynda Schwartz LLC, Current
Partner, Ernst & Young LLP Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services practice, 1998 - 2012
Professional Staff, Ernst & Young LLP, 1986 - 1998

Research Insights

Forensic Accounting
Fraud Examination
Fraud Risk Management
Economic Damages
Business Litigation
Expert Testimony
Business Ethics
Financial Forensics
Data Analytics

Teaching Interests

General
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Fraud Examination and Investigation

Honors / Awards

Educator of the Year Award, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, 2026
Isenberg Practice and Pedagogy Award, 2026
AICPA Forensic & Litigation Services Volunteer of the Year, 2021
Media, Industry, and Public ImpactAssociation of Certified Fraud Examiners 2026 Educator of the Year awardPrincipal author, COSO Fraud Risk Management Certificate Program (2025)

Selected Publications

Fraud Risk Management Guide, 2nd edition, (2023) – member of the Update Task Force.

"Understanding the Forensic Technology Landscape: A Reference Guide for Practitioners", (2020) – as co-chair of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic and Litigation Services Forensic Technology Task Force.

“Understanding the Statement on Standards for Forensic Services No. 1 and its Implications for Practice, Curricula and Research”, (2020) Journal of Forensic Accounting Research.

Litigation Services Handbook, 5th and 6th editions, (2012 and 2017) – co-authored chapters entitled “Executive Compensation in the Litigation Setting”, “the Troubled Business and Bankruptcy” and “Alter Ego”.

Guide to Investigating Business Fraud, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2009) – co-authored chapters entitled “The First 48 Hours of an Investigation” and “Working with Attorneys”.