Fight Fraud: Focus Your Master’s in
Forensic Accounting
Enhance your accounting career by gaining the skills to investigate fraud with SNHU's online forensic accounting degree program. With this 36-credit-minimum master's in forensic accounting, you will learn how forensic accounting principles can be applied in complex financial transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, and contract disputes; discover how forensic accounting findings are used in court cases to prosecute white-collar criminals; and earn the credit hours needed in most states to take the CPA exam.
In addition to advanced accounting principles, MS in Accounting-Forensic Accounting Concentration courses focus on the investigation of financial records to detect fraud, theft, and malfeasance.
Earn your forensic accounting degree online or at one of SNHU’s regional centers. This 36-credit-minimum program is ideal for students with an undergraduate degree in business or accounting and two years of experience in the accounting field.
MS in Accounting - Forensic Accounting Concentration Courses
Required Courses
MBA 610 Business Law - if exempt, no replacement, as long as total number of credits is obtained
ACC 550 Cost Accounting - if waived, no replacement, as long as total number of credits is obtained
ACC 610 Financial Reporting I - if waived, no replacement, as long as total number of credits is obtained
ACC 640 Auditing - if waived, no replacement, as long as total number of credits is obtained
TAX 650 Federal Taxation of Individuals - if exempt, no replacement, as long as total number of credits is obtained
ACC 620 Financial Reporting II
ACC 630 Financial Reporting III
ACC 690 Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting
ACC 700 Seminar in Accounting Topics
TAX 655 Federal Income Tax of Corporations and Partnerships
FIN 500 Financial Management
INT 600 Multinational Corporate Management
QSO 510 Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
Forensic Accounting Courses
ACC 689 Principles of Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
ACC 691 Detection and Prevention of Fraudulent Financial Statements
ACC 692 Interview Techniques and Legal Aspects of Fraud
ACC 693 Investigating with the Computer
Foundation Courses
For those who do not meet the minimum requirements, the following courses may be required:
MBA 501 Mathematics and Statistics for Business
MBA 502 Economics for Business
MBA 503 Financial Reporting and Analysis
Forensic Accounting Degree Curriculum
Students who have not earned a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related business major may be required to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Prerequisites may be required for some courses.
Gain Knowledge and Skills to Investigate and Defend Against Fraud
Students in the forensic accounting master's degree program graduate with an understanding of:
- The characteristics of fraud, fraud prevention and detection, investigative techniques, and
asset recovery. - How forensic accounting and fraud examination are applied in civil and criminal cases.
- How to review, detect and investigate possible financial statement fraud.
- How to use the latest technology to help detect and investigate white-collar crimes.
Prepare for a Successful Accounting Career
Financial crises, legislation requiring greater transparency in financial reporting and other industry changes mean forensic accounting career opportunities continue to grow, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS reports that employment for accountants and auditors is projected to grow 16 percent between 2010 and 2020.
The BLS further reports, "Accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition through certification or other designation, especially a CPA, should have the best job prospects. Applicants with a master's degree in accounting or a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting also may have an advantage."