One Year M.S. in Forensic Accounting

Program Overview

The M.S. in Forensic Accounting (MS-FA) program focuses upon the integration of accounting, auditing, legal and investigative skills in the prevention, detection and investigation of financial fraud as well as in dispute resolution. The term forensic refers generally to being “used in legal proceedings” which necessitates that evidence gathered by forensic accountants be fit to establish accountability and/or valuation with in a legal framework. The forensic accounting profession encompasses investigative accounting and litigation support. The one-year program is designed to prepare students for the complex and challenging world of business and accounting fraud, and meets the 150- semester credit hour education requirement for CPA licensure in New York State.

Students enrolled in this program will gain an understanding of business information and financial reporting systems, investigation and analysis of financial evidence, digital forensics, and analysis of complex financial transactions that lead to fraud. Students will also be able to apply this knowledge to obtain a broad perspective on the environment (legal, economic, tax and financial) in which accounting operates.

Admission

Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in accounting, or the equivalent.

Curriculum Prerequisites:

Accounting Core Courses::
	Principles of Financial Accounting	3 credits
	Cost and Managerial Accounting	3 credits
	Intermediate Accounting I	3 credits
	Intermediate Accounting II	3 credits
	Advanced Accounting	3 credits
	Auditing	3 credits
	U.S. Taxation	3 credits
	Computer Audit or Accounting Information Systems	3 Credits
	Total	24 Credits

The Curriculum

A typical program for a student accepted into full-time graduate study requires the completion of 30 credits. Most students complete the course work in one-year. Courses required to graduate from this program include:

ACC 615	Financial Statement Analysis	3 credits
ACC 630	Advanced Management Accounting	3 credits
ACC 551	Fraud Examination	3 credits
ACC 680	Research Seminar in Accounting	3 credits
ACC 522	Statistical Methods for Forensic Accounting & Assurance	3 credits
ACC 552	Financial Statement Fraud & Corporate Governance	3 credits
ACC 661	Auditing of Advanced Accounting Systems	3 credits
ACC 553	Digital Forensics	3 credits
	Total Graduate Accounting Credits	24 credits
	1 Graduate Accounting Elective	3 credits
	1 Graduate Business Elective	3 credits
	Total Graduate Elective Credits	6 credits
	Total Program Credits	30 credits

 

Accreditation

The MS-A program is registered with the Division of Professional Education of the State Education Department of New York and meets the 150-semester credit hour education requirement. In addition this program is accredited by the AACSB, as are all of our Accounting Programs. Few accounting programs across the country have gained this distinction.