Meet Abe Smith, Director of Criminal and Corporate Investigations
These profiles are a way to learn about each of our financially-savvy forensic sharpshooters outside the office.
Photo: Abe and Holly Smith
Where he grew up
As the oldest of eight siblings in a military family, Abe moved many times as a kid. He lived in the Netherlands and in various states across the U.S., attending five elementary schools and three high schools before graduating in Colorado Springs. One of the most defining experiences of his life was serving as a young missionary in Denmark, where he met people from over 100 countries and biked 10,000+ kilometers.
Abe saw each move as an opportunity that shaped his strong sense of adaptability and curiosity and deepened his worldview. He gained a broad appreciation for different ways of life and built lasting friendships around the globe.
First jobs
Abe bagged groceries for tips in the commissary on base in the Netherlands as a freshman. He later worked as a dishwasher at a restaurant and on a fishing boat in Alaska after graduating from high school. While in college at Brigham Young University, he taught Danish to missionaries.
But his favorite job was as an outdoor guide over the summer across the Western U.S. when he took tourist groups on camping trips to national parks, horseback riding with the Navajo, white water rafting, mountain biking and many other adventures.
Hobbies
A lifelong active outdoor enthusiast, Abe is now training for a big trail running adventure with his wife Holly across 150 miles of the Swiss Alps this July.
He loves traveling and organizing special trips and experiences in search of unique places with extreme beauty. Most vacations that he’s planned for his family over the years have been in the great outdoors. To date, he has visited 49 U.S. states. When he lived in the Netherlands as a kid, his family traveled behind the Iron Curtain into communist East Berlin, which was an eye-opening experience for him.
This love of travel and human connection have supported his professional success by helping him relate to people in diverse contexts.
A storied career in criminal investigations
While earning his master’s in accounting, Abe met an alum who spoke about opportunities outside of traditional accounting roles. This is what inspired Abe to pursue a career path as a Special Agent with the Criminal Division of the IRS.
For over 20 years, he led investigations that uncovered complex financial crimes. Abe pursued those who engaged in fraud, money laundering schemes, terrorism operations, and counterintelligence matters all over the world. He loved interviewing people and collaborating with attorneys and judges.
With this unique blend of financial expertise and a law enforcement background, Abe’s experience naturally transitioned to forensic accounting where he offers valuable perspective and insights throughout the litigation process.
Passions
Service has been a constant in Abe’s life. Whether teaching English, supporting humanitarian missions, or helping develop small businesses, he has always sought opportunities to give back. His wife is a labor and delivery nurse and shares in his desire to serve others.
Family life
After several years living in the Pacific Northwest, one year in Guam, and most recently in New York City, Abe and his family now call the Boise area home. Abe and Holly have five kids, with their youngest soon entering his senior year in high school, and one grandbaby with another one on the way in September. Their four oldest kids have served as missionaries abroad, continuing the family tradition of global connection.
Prescription for life
The number one piece of advice Abe gives his kids: “You don’t have to be perfect. The best way to grow is to learn from your experiences because they’re so valuable. Mistakes are great learning opportunities in any endeavor of life.
Favorite aspect of working on cases
While his work is grounded in highly technical analysis, what he’s most passionate about is the human side – connecting with people and explaining complex issues in a way they can understand. Creating personal connection has been a consistent thread throughout Abe’s life and career.
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Abe Smith, CFE served as a Special Agent with the Criminal Division of the IRS for 20 years, uncovering complex financial crimes. With this unique background, he offers valuable perspective throughout the litigation process.
Working with white-collar criminal defense attorneys, whistleblower attorneys, individuals and government agencies, he helps make sense of technical information and evidence to assist with various financial aspects of a case. This includes providing investigative insight, detailed financial analysis, and expert witness testimony.
503.718.0375 | [email protected]
