When the IRS Goes Deep: Why Financial Advisors Need to Think Like Investigators

 

Most advisors see tax returns as planning tools. Robert Norlander has spent his career seeing them as evidence. As a former IRS Senior Special Agent and seasoned forensic accountant, he knows exactly how the government spots red flags, builds cases, and follows the money.

 

How IRS Special Agent Insight Helps Advisors Manage Risk

Understanding how investigators think helps advisors design cleaner, safer strategies. You learn what patterns attract unwanted attention, how sloppy documentation can be misinterpreted, and where “aggressive” can quietly cross into “dangerous.”

At the Summit, Robert will show advisors how to adopt an investigator’s eye – so you can serve your clients confidently while staying far away from the gray areas that lead to audits, penalties, and sleepless nights.

 

Robert will also provide actionable steps advisors can implement immediately, including how to structure client documentation, flag potential risk areas proactively, and review complex transactions before they raise red flags. By thinking like an investigator, you not only protect your clients but also build trust and credibility, demonstrating that your advice is both thorough and defensible.

If you want to understand how your work looks through an IRS investigator’s lens, don’t miss Robert Norlander’s session at the 2026 Summit.

 

When the IRS Goes Deep: Why Financial Advisors Need to Think Like Investigators

 

 

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