By: Maria Williams
A former FBI and IRS Special Agent, Michael ‘Mike’ McCall, has dedicated his life to fighting white-collar crime and safeguarding those who often remain unheard: the victims of fraud. His story is one of resilience, expertise, and unwavering commitment to justice. With over 35 years of investigative experience, Mike has transitioned into a new role as the founder of MPM Consulting, where he continues his mission to follow the money trail and protect the vulnerable.
Growing up in Camden, New Jersey, Mike always had an eye for statistics and a head for numbers. “I was always fascinated by the stats of my favorite sports teams,” he recalls. His father noticed his passion early on and urged him to pursue an accounting class in high school, a nudge that would eventually guide Mike down a path no one in his family could have predicted.
After earning an accounting degree from Rutgers University-Camden, Mike’s early career began unassumingly with an entry-level position at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It was there that he encountered mentors who would change his trajectory forever. “I met some agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID),” Mike remembers. “They told me about following the money and investigating tax evasion as well as money laundering. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do.”
This pivotal moment launched Mike’s career as a financial investigator. After two years in the entry-level position, he joined the IRS-CID as a Special Agent and began honing his expertise in tracking complex financial crimes. His reputation for diligence and an unwavering commitment to justice soon caught the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he spent the next 16 years investigating high-profile crimes.
“Being in the FBI, it felt like a dream,” he says. “I would often pinch myself, thinking how fortunate I was to be there, working alongside some of the most talented professionals in the field.” During his tenure, Mike developed a keen understanding of how to build cases that stuck. “When handling evidence, it’s crucial to document everything thoroughly and, when necessary, photograph it. Photographic evidence can speak volumes, especially when testifying years later.”
One of his proudest investigations took place in 1996 while working for Kroll Associates in Manhattan, where he was tasked with solving a mysterious financial case. “The CFO of a major international company had died by suicide, and there were a lot of unanswered questions. Many employees had invested their personal savings with him and were desperate for answers,” Mike recalls. By meticulously examining the CFO’s bank records, Mike’s team discovered that he had embezzled large sums from the company. “We were able to recover much of the money, which was incredibly gratifying. Cases like that remind you why you do what you do.”
After the FBI, Mike transitioned into the private sector, holding senior roles at companies like Raytheon, Forensic Risk Alliance, and Guidehouse. But after years of investigating financial crimes for others, he felt it was time to step out on his own.
In 2015, Mike founded MPM Consulting LLC, a full-service forensic accounting firm specializing in white-collar crime. The company’s team of former Federal Agents and police detectives provides support to attorneys and businesses on complex forensic accounting matters. “The work I do now is just as fulfilling as my time with the FBI,” says McCall. “I’m still following the money, still helping people – only now, I’m doing it on my own terms.”
Beyond his work at MPM Consulting, Mike remains deeply committed to educating the next generation of fraud fighters. He serves as the president of the Greater Boston Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and teaches forensic accounting at Boston College, Stonehill College, and Bridgewater State University. “Teaching is an extension of coaching,” he explains. “It’s my duty to give back and share the techniques I’ve learned throughout my career.”
His teaching philosophy is simple: know your audience. “Unless I understand the students – who they are, what they care about – it’s hard to connect. But once I do, I can relate the lessons to them in a meaningful way.” This personalized approach to teaching has made Mike a sought-after educator and mentor in the field.
Mike’s journey from a small-town athlete to a reputable investigator is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. He credits much of his success to the values instilled in him by his parents. “My dad always pushed me to make myself better,” he says. “My mom was an immigrant from Ireland who worked hard to give us a good life. Their influence is why I became who I am today.”
Even after years of high-stakes investigations and high-profile cases, Mike remains humble. “I’m just an accountant at heart who’s lucky enough to have found a way to use my skills to help people,” he says. “Every time I hear someone thank me for my service, it takes me back to my roots, to those early days when I was just starting out. It reminds me of why I got into this work in the first place: to stand up for the voiceless and make sure the bad guys don’t get away.”
Michael ‘Mike’ McCall, former FBI and IRS Special Agent and founder of MPM Consulting
As Mike continues his work at MPM Consulting, he shows no signs of slowing down. His advice to those starting out in the fraud-fighting field? “Stay open-minded and be willing to help others. You never know what you’ll learn or where it will lead you. And always treat people with respect – whether you’re investigating them or working alongside them. At the end of the day, that’s what makes all the difference.”
With over three decades of experience and dedication that shows no signs of wavering, Michael McCall is proving that his fight against fraud is far from over.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
