Forensic Accounting – BA (Honours)

At a glance

Pursue a career in the specialist field of forensic accounting, whilst also gaining the skills need for more general accounting roles. You study course materials created in conjunction with leading employers and professional bodies, and can complete industry recognised certificates such as those offered by SAGE. You can also gain exemptions from the ACCA, ICAEW and other accounting bodies.

Key points
• Develop the specialist skills needed to investigate crimes like financial fraud.• Study on a course designed with leading employers and professional bodies.
• Gain industry-recognised certifications throughout the course.
• Get ahead with exemptions from some CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW exams.

What is forensic accounting?
Forensic accounting, sometimes called investigative accounting, involves the application of accounting concepts and techniques to legal problems. Forensic accountants investigate and document financial fraud and white collar crimes on the part of employees, suppliers, or customers. They typically become involved in financial investigations after evidence of deceptive financial transactions has arisen. After conducting an investigation, they write and submit a report of their findings.

They also provide litigation support to lawyers in providing estimates of losses, damages, and assets related to specific legal cases in many areas of the law including loss of profits claims and shareholder disputes. When a case goes to trial, they are likely to testify as expert witnesses.

In criminal investigations, forensic accountants analyse complex financial transactions such as those in arising from manipulations and price fixing schemes. They also help governments and other regulatory bodies achieve compliance with various forms of regulation.

This course

Specialise in a forensic accounting and differentiate yourself in the competitive accounting sector. You gain the educational grounding and intellectual development to take full advantage of career opportunities as they arise. And if you choose a career as a forensic accountant or in some other investigative role, you will have a head start on other graduates.

In the first year, you learn the main principles of accounting and finance and familiarise yourself with the business environment, through the use of business games. We also provide you with opportunities to develop vital IT and numerical skills.

You deepen your understanding of the role and scope of financial accounting in your second year and explore related areas such as financial risk. You also learn about the environment in which forensic accountants operate, through modules on electronic crime and fraud evidence and expert witness.

In your third year, you also have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learnt in a professional setting with a paid work placement. We recommend this as it gives an insight into the workings of a business or service organisation and is highly valued by employers. You might even find it leads to the offer of a permanent job after you graduate.

In the final year, you gain extra insight into your accounting specialism, by evaluating forensic accounting techniques and forensic investigation in professional work contexts. This is designed to be your final preparation for employment as a forensic accountant.

After graduation you may be exempt from some of the examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA). This, along with the optional work placement, places you in a strong position in the graduate employment market.

Key areas of study
This course gives you an in depth knowledge of accounting and finance and covers key areas such as • forensic investigation • forensic dispute resolution • financial accounting • corporate and criminal law • taxation • managing financial risks • ethics, social responsibility, and corporate governance.

Professional body membership
Your student membership fees for Association of Certified Fraud Examiners for your second and final years of study are paid by the University allowing you to have full access to their member resources for the purposes of studying your specialist modules.

Enhanced study experience
We embed a wide range of extras into your course to enhance your study experience and to give you greater employability and technical skills after graduating. Visit the enhanced study media box to view examples of our many initiatives.