University at Albany, State University of New York
Contact UAlbany Directories Calendars & Schedules Visitors Site Index Search
Admissions Academics Research IT Services Libraries Athletics
Graduate Bulletin Homepage
University at Albany Information
Expenses and Financial Aid
Graduate Studies
Admission and Graduate Policies
                    
Office of Graduate Admissions Homepage
Office of Graduate Studies Homepage
                    
Programs and Courses
College of Arts & Sciences
School of Business
College of Computing & Information
School of Criminal Justice
School of Education
College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy
School of Public Health
School of Social Welfare
International Programs
Officers of the University at Albany
Degrees and Programs Index
Course Index
Site Index


Search Graduate Bulletin

Graduate Bulletin
 
Graduate Bulletin Homepage |School of Business | Forensic Accounting Master of Science Degree

Master of Science in Forensic Accounting

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 to the program requires an undergraduate degree in accounting. The University at Albany School of Business accepts full-time as well as part time students into the MS-FA one-year program.

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, others study part-time and complete the program in two or more years. Courses required to graduate from this program include:

Course #

Course Description

Credits

ACC 522

Statistical Methods for Forensic Accounting and Assurance

    3

ACC 551

Fraud Examination

    3

ACC 552

Financial Statement Fraud and Corporate Governance

    3

ACC 553

Digital Forensics

    3

ACC 615

Financial Statement Analysis

    3

ACC 630

Advanced Cost Management

    3

ACC 661

Auditing of Advanced Accounting Systems

    3

ACC 680

Research Seminar in Accounting

    3

ACC XXX

Accounting Elective

    3

BUS XXX

Business Elective

    3

 

Total Credits

   30

Accreditation
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to petition the State Licensing Board for a waiver of one year of work-experience, a component necessary for certified public accountant (CPA) licensure in New York State. The MS-FA 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 our program is accredited by the AACSB, as are all of our Accounting Programs. Very few accounting programs across the country have gained this distinction.

Last updated on 3/3/2010