Dr Apurva Joshi is most popular and successful Certified Forensic Accounting Professionals (CFAP) in the country. She has completed her certification program in Management Consulting from IIM Banglore.
She is a Certified Anti Money Laundering Expert, Certified Bank Forensic Accountant and Certified Vigilance and Investigation Expert. She heads the Technology & Due Diligence practice of Riskpro Management Consulting P Ltd. Due to her efforts, today Riskpro is considered to be one of the top 10 forensic accounting firms in the country.
Startup Journey
Before joining Riskpro, Apurva owned a startup called Fraudexpress which was started in Solapur and was later merged in Riskpro. Fraudexpress was one of the first anti-fraud digital media in those days. Her success story as a woman entrepreneur and her startup journey was covered in the book titled “Arise Awake” written by Rashmi Bansal. This book was Amazon Best Seller for the year 2015.
Independent Woman Director
Apurva Joshi has established a presence in the Indian corporate sector through her experience in corporate governance and board-level leadership. She has served as an Independent Director at multiple listed Indian companies, contributing to board deliberations, strategic oversight, and governance-related responsibilities.
Since October 2013, Apurva has held directorships across at least ten different listed Indian companies, reflecting her involvement with businesses operating in diverse sectors. Her board-level associations include
- Quick Heal Technologies Limited,
- Precision Camshafts Limited,
- Nihilent Limited
- Associated Alcohol and Breweries Ltd
- Fidel Softech Limited, among others.
Her experience as a woman Independent Director places her within the broader landscape of women’s participation in corporate leadership and decision-making in India. Independent directors play an important role in promoting accountability, overseeing management decisions, protecting shareholder interests, and strengthening corporate governance practices. Through her appointments across multiple companies, Apurva has participated in board-level governance across different business environments.
Forensic Accounting, Fraud Investigation and Research
Apurva Joshi is a prominent professional in the field of forensic accounting and financial crime investigation. She is recognised as a Certified Forensic Accounting Professional (CFAP) and has been described as one of India’s youngest Certified Fraud Examiners. Her professional expertise spans forensic accounting, anti-money laundering (AML), fraud examination, internal audit, corporate governance, forensic due diligence, risk management, auditing, financial analysis, private investigations, and litigation support.
Apurva combines professional practice with research and knowledge development in financial crime and corporate fraud. Her work encompasses the examination of financial irregularities, the identification of potential fraud indicators, and the analysis of emerging risks affecting businesses and financial institutions. These areas of specialisation are particularly relevant to organisations seeking to strengthen internal controls, identify financial misconduct, and improve their risk management frameworks.
Author and Contributor to Forensic Accounting Education
Apurva authored Students Handbook on Forensic Accounting, published in 2012. The book was listed among the best-selling titles in Flipkart’s accounting category during that year, according to the original biographical account. Her contribution to forensic accounting literature reflects an effort to make the subject more accessible to students and professionals seeking to understand the principles and practical applications of financial investigations.
The handbook has also been associated with forensic accounting education offered through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The original biography describes it as the sole reference book endorsed by ICAI courses in this subject. This claim should be supported by the relevant ICAI course material or official publication before being presented as an institutional endorsement.
Research on Corporate Fraud and Financial Crime
Through her association with Riskpro, Apurva has contributed to research projects examining developments in forensic accounting and financial crime. Her research interests have included early warning signals of corporate fraud, insurance fraud, and banking fraud. These subjects are important to organisations seeking to identify vulnerabilities, detect unusual financial activity, and understand the methods used to perpetrate fraud.
Research into early warning signals of corporate fraud focuses on recognising financial and operational indicators that may warrant closer scrutiny. Similarly, investigations into insurance and banking fraud examine potential misconduct, suspicious transactions, control weaknesses, and patterns of activity that can expose organisations to financial losses. Such research can support the development of investigative methodologies and practical approaches to fraud risk assessment.
Experience in High-Value Fraud Investigations
Apurva’s professional biography states that she has investigated frauds involving an aggregate value of at least ₹30,000 crore. This figure represents a substantial claimed exposure to high-value financial investigations. For publication, it is important to distinguish between the total value of matters investigated, the estimated value of suspected fraud, and losses conclusively established through investigations or legal proceedings.
Her experience in forensic accounting and fraud examination brings together financial analysis, investigative techniques, and an understanding of corporate processes. These capabilities are relevant to cases involving suspected financial misrepresentation, irregular transactions, weaknesses in internal controls, and other forms of potential financial misconduct.
International Due Diligence Investigations
As part of her work with Riskpro, Apurva has undertaken independent due diligence investigations in India and internationally, including assignments in Dubai and Thailand, according to her professional biography. Cross-border due diligence can involve examining corporate ownership, assessing promoter and management backgrounds, identifying potential integrity concerns, and evaluating financial or reputational risks associated with business relationships.
Such investigations can be important in mergers and acquisitions, investment decisions, commercial partnerships, and third-party risk assessments. They help organisations obtain a more informed view of counterparties and identify issues that may not be apparent from financial statements or routine documentation alone.
Through her combined interests in forensic accounting, research, fraud investigation, and international due diligence, Apurva’s professional profile reflects the multidisciplinary nature of financial crime work. Her career brings together financial analysis, investigative practice, and the communication of specialist knowledge to support a better understanding of fraud risks and corporate integrity.
Awareness through Media
Apurva Joshi is a recognised professional voice whose expertise has been featured in regional media publications, including Sakal, Loksatta, Divya Marathi, and Lokmat. Her appearances and citations in these newspapers reflect the role she plays in bringing professional perspectives and specialised knowledge to public discussions. Through regional media coverage, her insights have reached audiences across Maharashtra, helping connect professional expertise with issues of wider business and public interest.
Beyond her professional engagements, Apurva has been associated with activities involving several organisations that contribute to industry development, corporate governance, professional education, and policy discussions. These include the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Institute of Directors, and the Indiaforensic Center of Studies. Her involvement with these organisations reflects her engagement with professional networks and initiatives focused on strengthening knowledge, promoting responsible business practices, and encouraging informed discussion on corporate and financial matters.
She has also been associated with the Pune International Centre (PIC), a Pune-based think tank that provides a platform for research, intellectual exchange, and policy-oriented dialogue. Engagement with such institutions creates opportunities for professionals to contribute to discussions that extend beyond individual organisations and address broader economic, institutional, and societal issues.
