Investigate Financial Fraud with a Forensic Accounting Degree Online
Focus your accounting education on the investigation of financial records to detect fraud, theft and malfeasance with the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination degree. In this bachelor's program you'll learn:
- Accounting principles that can be applied in complex financial transactions
- Analytical skills that are directly applicable to the workplace
- Presentation skills to share accounting information and analysis with your team
You will complete your coursework prepared to begin a rewarding career in the accounting field.
See Yourself Succeed in Forensic Accounting
UMS's online forensic accounting degree can provide you with the in-depth accounting skills you need to succeed, plus the critical-thinking skills and essential business knowledge on which to build a successful career.
As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your bachelor's online at UMS include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Attend class when it's convenient for you - online education means 24/7 access
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms per year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we'll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there's no application fee.
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
The forensic accounting degree online prepares graduates to evaluate, review and describe involved financial and business matters. Forensic accountants and fraud examiners are employed in a variety of settings, including:
- Accounting firms
- Insurance companies
- Law offices
- Governmental agencies
Earning a bachelor's degree is essential for entry into these occupations.
Accounting is a high-growth occupation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 10% through 2026. Employment for financial examiners is also expected to increase 10% in the same time period.*
An accounting degree, along with additional master's-level coursework, can help prepare you for professional certification exams, like the CPA. Students cannot earn CPA certification through UMS, therefore if you wish to follow the traditional CPA track, you should verify that you'll meet the necessary requirements to sit for the exam.
The content of our programs aligns with the Content and Skill Specification Outlines (CSOs/SSOs) set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Learners who are interested in licensure may also pursue an MS in Accounting degree to help them meet educational requirements. Completion of the BS in Accounting degree alone does not adequately prepare learners to be eligible to sit for the CPA exam or to become licensed certified public accountants.
Licensing requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary from state to state. Students are encouraged to review their state specific requirements. State-by-state educational requirements can be found on the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), while state-by-state CPA licensing requirements can be found through the Accounting Licensing Library, powered by the NASBA.
Curriculum
Electing the forensic accounting degree concentration will give you a comprehensive foundation in accounting and analysis. You'll supplement your bachelor's in accounting college coursework with classes focusing on forensic and fraud detection practices.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
UMS's bachelor's in forensic accounting and fraud examination program includes:
- General education
- Business core
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All undergraduate students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Business Core Program
Programs in the School of Business require learners to complete the business core program, which includes a variety of business-specific courses. This program focuses on 10 core competencies to prepare you for success wherever you go.
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- Apply fraud investigation, detection, documentation, and prevention techniques in order to mitigate accounting and financial fraud in organizations
- Analyze and apply the rules and regulations for financial accounting and reporting and how they are established in a global economy
- Generate financial records and financial statements for internal and external users in accordance with applicable governing rules and regulations
- Plan and prepare tax returns using knowledge of tax laws and regulations
- Analyze, interpret and communicate accounting information to various internal and external stakeholders
- Audit financial information and controls employing effective techniques and in accordance with professional standards
- Apply professional ethics to guide conduct and decision-making in the field of accounting
