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Forensic Accounting Certificate Online Fraud Examination Courses

Kerry Smith, who earned her degree from SNHU in 2022, holding a binder, standing in an office with a filing cabinet and cubicles in the background.

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 4

Total credits 12

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Program Overview Why get a forensic accounting certificate online?

Learn to identify the red flags that indicate various types of fraud, fraud schemes and scams in the online Graduate Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Certificate program at Southern New Hampshire University.

Aligned with the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Exam, this certificate can help you develop professional skepticism skills and gain an eye for detail with a background in accounting basics and legal concepts.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Accounting regulations and ethics
  • Fraud investigation, prevention and detection methods
  • Risk assessment and management techniques
  • Critical thinking, communication and research skills
Kerry Smith, who earned her degree from SNHU, sitting at an office desk, using a mouse and looking at a computer monitor.

Courses & Curriculum Forensic accounting classes to help prepare you for your career

The online graduate certificate in forensic accounting and fraud examination is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of auditing, forensic accounting and the detection and prevention of fraud. Through 4 highly focused courses, you'll gain skills and experience in risk management, ethical conduct, legal knowledge and communications.

Certificate Courses

Online forensic accounting certificate courses

In the forensic accounting certificate program at Southern New Hampshire University, you'll complete projects that demonstrate your understanding of legal and regulatory issues, how to conduct fraud examinations and interviews and the application of technology and analytics in fraud examinations. These are knowledge and skills that could help you prepare for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Exam.

Defining an area of specialization is another way to stand out in the accounting industry. If you're also pursuing your MS in Accounting degree at SNHU and want to pursue a fraud examination career, this could be a great certificate to add to your studies. The programs share 6 credits, allowing you to earn both a degree and certificate for only 36 credits — excluding foundations, if needed.

Note: If you don't have an undergraduate accounting or business degree, you may be required to complete business foundation courses (6 credits) and/or accounting foundation courses (12 credits) in addition to your core courses.

Courses may include:

Course ID: ACC 646
In this course, students will gain a basic understanding of forensic accounting and fraud examination. They will explore the legal requirements for both civil and criminal cases and examine the impacts of fraud on organizations. Students will be introduced to methods of fraud detection and prevention, along with the examination process. This course will cover content that is included in the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification exam.
Course ID: ACC 691
This course will explore more fully the detection and prevention methods and techniques for assessing risk and reducing fraud. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the COSO framework used to evaluate internal controls within an organization. They will also more closely examine the fraud detection and prevention techniques and how these are implemented within industry. The relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards will be examined and applied throughout this course. This course will cover content that is included in the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification exam.
Course ID: ACC 692
This course will explore the legal requirements and relevant guidelines that need to be followed during a fraud examination. The role of the Fraud Examiner and their ethical and legal responsibilities will be reviewed. Students will also closely examine the behavioral factors that are associated with those who commit fraud and the current trends and data related to fraudulent activities. Effective interview strategies and techniques during a fraud investigation will be further examined in this course. This course will cover content that is included in the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification exam.
Course ID: ACC 693
This fourth course in the Graduate Certificate will provide guidance and knowledge for conducting investigations via machine. The skills of the participant in this course will be strengthened in such areas as identification of the types of public records available to investigate; how to access the public records through databases; navigation of the Internet to find useful material; the use of fraud-related software packages to detect and investigate possible fraudulent activities; and the use of data analysis programs and spreadsheets to detect fraud.

Visit the course catalog to view the full Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: Aug. 25, 2025 | Nov. 10, 2025

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

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Online certificate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 12-credit certificate
Full- and part-time students
$637
$1,911
$7,644
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students*
$470
$1,410
$5,640

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

*Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Career Outlook What can I do with a certificate in forensic accounting?

The demand for professionals with accounting certificates and accounting degrees is rising, creating a strong job market for those with an accounting background.

And with a forensic accounting graduate certificate, you could put your investigation skills to use as a forensic accountant, fraud investigator or financial examiner – roles that have become increasingly crucial to business. According to a 2022 survey from PwC Global, 46% of surveyed organizations experienced fraud or other economic crime in 2020 and 2021, totaling billions of dollars in financial loss.1

Industries

With a career in fraud examination, you could find yourself practicing forensic accounting in a number of industries:

Help businesses — including financial institutions, as well as public and private enterprises — conduct, facilitate or oversee investigative accounting work.

Work as an in-house forensic accountant, monitoring fiscal activity, setting guidelines for financial compliance and conducting risk assessments.

Assist a variety of clients who are in need of investigative support and/or risk mitigation services.

Help support efforts to control government spending by ensuring public funds are being used.

Conduct claims analysis and processing for insurance claims to ensure adequate services are rendered and align with billing and adjustments.

Participate in criminal investigations involving financial crimes by auditing accounting records in search of misappropriation of funds evidence.

20%

Increase in financial examiner positions through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2

$84,300

Median annual salary for financial examiners as of May 2023, according to the BLS.2

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Forensic accounting is a specialized form of accounting that typically revolves around financial disputes or fraud. These accountants investigate and audit accounts and records to help others either come to an agreement or be brought to trial.

A few areas in which forensic accountants can help people or organizations include:

  • Bribery and/or corruption
  • Business losses and/or bankruptcy
  • Counterintelligence and/or terrorism
  • Customer fraud
  • Family/marital disputes
  • Hidden or misappropriated assets
  • Insurance claims
  • Money laundering
  • Tax fraud

Earning a Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Certificate as a complement to your bachelor's degree in accounting or an addition to your master's in accounting or master's in finance can give you an enviable skill set.

Forensic accountants may be asked to:

  • Trace funds and identify assets for recovery
  • Conduct analysis of financial data
  • Prepare reports from financial findings
  • Prepare data for litigation and testify as needed

You'll also need to be on the watch for both internal and external perpetrators. In a 2022 survey, 43% of external predators, 31% of internal predators and 26% of colluding internal and external predators were the cause of the most disruptive or serious incidents of fraud.1

You can become a Certified Forensic Accountant (CRFAC) through the American Board of Forensic Accounting (ABFA).

So, how can you earn this certification4?

  • Apply for ABFA membership, and share your accounting education and experience.
  • Take the review program.
  • Pass the certification exam, which includes sections on cyber, fraud, litigation, practice/theory and valuations.

While you must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or international equivalent in order to be eligible to apply for a CRFAC credential, SNHU's Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination supports students in their pathway towards a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential.

The best forensic accounting certification is the one that gives you both the skills you need and the recognition from employers.

Many would argue that the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential is the one that organizations look for in a forensic accountant. Administered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), it's considered the world's largest anti-fraud organization.

The ACFE notes that CFEs are different because they have a "unique set of skills that are not found in any other career field or discipline; they combine knowledge of complex financial transactions with an understanding of methods, law and how to resolve allegations of fraud."3

The organization reports that to become a CFE, you must meet high educational, professional and ethical standards – and that's because the certification is considered one of the most marketable credentials in the industry today.3

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $79,880 in 2023 – above the wages for all workers.2 But forensic accountants may be able to earn quite a bit more.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the median annual salary for CFE members in 2022 was $106,000.3

Based on educational experience and professional credentials or certifications, CFEs may have additional earnings potential. For instance, a CFE who also holds a master's degree in accounting and a CPA designation is likely to have a higher salary than a CFE who doesn't.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), you must satisfy the following five requirements to earn your Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential3:

  1. You must be an associate member of the ACFE to take the CFE Exam and earn the CFE credential.
  2. You must have a minimum of 40 points in the eligibility points system to take the CFE Exam and a minimum of 50 points to be certified.
  3. You must have at least 2 years of professional experience in a field related to the detection or deterrence of fraud.
  4. You must pass the CFE Exam in order to earn the CFE credential.
  5. You must agree to abide by the ACFE’s bylaws and Code of Professional Ethics in order to be an associate member of the ACFE and maintain your CFE credential.

Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Graduate Certificate is aligned with the CFE Exam to help you gain the skills required to successfully pass the exam. Earning the certificate in addition to a CFE designation may help you gain a competitive advantage in the job market, as would coupling the certificate with an MS in Accounting degree.

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential is quite advanced. However, the level of difficulty a candidate experiences while acquiring it is largely dependent on their existing experience and skill set. Additionally, not all high-level jobs in the field require you to be a CFE, but it's a great way to substantially increase your marketability.

SNHU's online Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination Graduate Certificate helps you gain the following skills, all of which are essential to becoming a fraud examiner:

  • Risk management
  • Ethical conduct
  • Legal knowledge
  • Communications

Upon completion of the certificate, you should be able to apply and develop fraud investigation, detection, documentation and prevention techniques in order to mitigate accounting and financial fraud in organizations and adhere to the ethical responsibilities of fraud investigators.

Both Certified Public Accounting (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designations are impressive. One isn’t necessarily better than the other — they’re just different.

So what differentiates the two?

A CPA is considered an expert in all things accounting, though they may choose to pursue a specialization. To account for this, the newly revised CPA Exam requires candidates to choose one of 3 discipline areas in which to demonstrate greater knowledge — Business Analysis and Reporting for Accounting, Information Systems and Controls, and Tax Compliance and Planning.

On the other hand, a CFE's training is focused on detecting, investigating and preventing fraud.

CPAs and CFEs can take on some of the same tasks, however, including tax preparation, financial planning and internal auditing.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1 PwC, Protecting the perimeter: The rise of external fraud — PwC's Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey, 2022, on the internet, at https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/forensics/economic-crime-survey.html (viewed May 29, 2024)

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm (viewed May 29, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (viewed May 29, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

3 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.acfe.com/training-events-and-products/all-events/in-person-events/event-detail-page?s=CFE-Exam-Review-Course-0823WDC (viewed May 29, 2024)
  • https://www.acfe.com/fraud-resources/compensation-guide (viewed May 29, 2024)
  • https://www.acfe.com/CFE-Credential/Eligibility (viewed May 29, 2024)

4 American Board of Forensic Accounting, Steps to Certification, on the internet, at http://abfa.us/steps/ (viewed May 29, 2024)