Forensic accountants are the crime-fighters of the accounting world. Accountants with a forensic accounting degree investigate white-collar criminals involved in money laundering, embezzlement, securities frauds, and other unsavory financial transactions. They also conduct investigations during more routine legal processes, such as divorce and bankruptcy filings. Learn more about forensic accounting degree programs, including the types of forensic accounting degree programs and schools that offer top forensic accounting degree programs.
Schools with Forensic Accounting Degree Programs
- Jones International University: Online
California College of San Diego: San Diego
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Forensic Accounting Emphasis
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Forensic Accounting Emphasis (Online)
College America: Colorado Springs
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Forensic Accounting Emphasis
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Forensic Accounting Emphasis (Online)
Types of Forensic Accounting Degrees Available:
Forensic accountants must have an accounting college degree. Accounting degrees are offered at many online and traditional campus schools. Because this field is rapidly growing, some schools have started to offer a forensic accounting degree, a bachelor degree in Forensic Accounting. (However, the general accounting degree will work just as well).
If you’re an accountant who’s looking to get into forensic accounting and you already have an accounting degree, there are a number of schools that offer a Master’s in Forensic Accounting.
Once you have your diploma, you’ll also need to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). There are two forensic accounting certifications, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and CrFA (Certified Forensic Accountant) that may also help you jump-start your career.
What a Forensic Accounting Degree Teaches You:
In addition to basic accounting principals, such as audits, financial analysis, and tax preparation, studying for a forensic accounting degree will teach you fraud investigation techniques, criminology, ethics, fraud examination and information security.
You’ll learn the theories behind economic crimes, how fraud investigations work, and how to deter fraudulent activity. You’ll also get exposure to fraud prevention and detection practices, forensic investigations, and the legal concepts of criminal fraud and corporate criminal liability.
Questions to ask about Forensic Accounting Degree Programs
- Do you enjoy working with numbers?
- Would you like to work in a career that combines accounting and legal practices?
- Do you have a passion for justice?
