Forensic Accountant/ Financial Investigation Accounting

Forensics is the use of science and technology to investigate and determine the facts in criminal or civil courts. Forensic Accounting uses technology and investigative techniques to expose fraud and illegal practices in the area of accounting, banking, money laundering, and any place else where illegal number crunching or manipulating might be taking place. read more »


The MBA in Forensic Accounting offered at Jones International University is an advanced accounting degree for students who already have an accounting degree and wish to combine that knowledge with studies that will enable them to detect abnormalities in a company’s accounting practices and present such discrepancies in a court of law.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for accountants who can help organizations minimize risk through fraud prevention and who can investigate incidents of fraud will continue to grow through 2016.

 

Post University Online presents its students with an opportunity to earn a Forensic Accounting Certificate entirely online. This program is highly interactive and the small classes ensure plenty of individualized attention. Forensic Accounting is a growing field, as more and more small firms are employing individuals specifically for this role. A great starting point for building your accounting career; this program will prepare you to continue your education. Earn a four year degree, as well as valuable professional certifications.

 

Utica College Online offers a B.S. in Cyber Security/Cyber Crime Investigations and Forensics and a Master's degree program in Economic Crime Investigation. The Bachelor's program prepares students for careers in white collar crime investigation and prevention, while the Master's program is an executive-level program designed for those working in fraud management who want to enhance their skills and careers.


Also view:
Schools that offer Forensic Sciences programs »
Schools that offer Accounting programs »
 

At Kaplan University you can learn to do more than keep the books or audit the statements of a business. You can earn their B.S. degree in Accounting / Auditing with a specialization in Forensic Accountancy. The degree combines accounting and finance skills with law and investigative techniques to determine if a particular business practice is legal. Forensic accountants have the skills to save a business millions of dollars and are consequently paid much more than an average accountant.

 

Rasmussen College offers a degree in Accounting with a Financial Investigation emphasis. In addition, this school has an Associate's degree program in Accounting that is designed to provide graduates with a strong base of accounting knowledge. Coursework includes accounts payable/receivable, payroll, preparation of tax forms, and more.

Most forensic accountants are CPAs within large firms, but the expansion of global marketing has created a continuously growing need for individuals who specialize in Forensic Accounting. Instead of taking four years to get an accounting degree with additional years of investigative training, you can get your degree in Certified Forensic Accounting on line in a fraction of the time.

There are plenty of jobs in this field and they often earn salaries of $100,000 or more per year.

Forensic accountants use auditing and accounting skills in their investigations, but the job also involves looking past the numbers and examining the business operation as a whole in order to detect irregularities.

In order to have a successful career as a Forensic Accountant, you need to be familiar with legal concepts and procedures. Your online education will teach you to analyze and interpret financial and business issues and to summarize them in reports which can be used in audits or in courtroom proceedings. You may never actually be in a courtroom, however, you can find jobs with insurance companies, banks, police departments, local government  agencies or even with the various stock market exchanges. If you are accurate, timely, and dependable, it won’t take long to build a reputation and find the job you want wherever you want it.

According to Certified Fraud Examiner, Alan Zysman of Toronto, Canada, a forensic accountant needs to be persistent, creative, organized, self-confident, and should have a sense of curiosity and discretion along with sound professional judgment. Cases requiring a forensic accountant are complex but will never become dull or routine as no two cases are exactly alike. You could find yourself called upon to assist with a criminal investigation, business or partnership dispute, motor vehicle injury case, insurance claims, employee fraud, tracing of assets in a marital dispute, abuse of funds under the umbrella of “non-profit” or a host of other applications. You could be hired for a small business investigation or for a high profile case. For example, it was a forensic accountant who finally nailed Al Capone. You have to be attentive, communicative, and have a quick perception of details that might be missed by the average individual. In short, it takes someone with a high degree of intelligence with mathematical acuity and strong reasoning or deductive skills.

The degree in forensic accounting is a post graduate degree. You must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a CPA certification is actually preferred as well. Many start their career in the $30,000 range for salary, but if you are good, it does not take long to work your way into a deep six figure income. Start by finding an online school today.

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