MS in Forensic Accounting

The Master of Science in Forensic Accounting is being discontinued. 
Students will not be able to enter the program after the Fall 2017 semester.

Students entering this program must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting. This program meets the NYS requirement for 150 hours for certification as a CPA.

In the current reporting environment, forensic accountants are in great demand for their accounting, auditing, legal, and investigative skills. Forensic accounting skills have become crucial in untangling the complicated accounting maneuvers that have muddled financial statements. By helping companies prevent and detect fraud, the forensic accountant’s role can easily evolve into a key component in the corporate governance system.

*Applicants to this master's program must hold or expect to hold a bachelor's degree in accounting prior to the start of classes.

Students in the Forensic Accounting Program will learn:

• How to use the tools to both detect and prevent possible future fraudulent behavior by those developing and using financial data.
• What types of fraud are most common, and use their knowledge of criminal behavior to conduct interviews with employees of companies and other people involved in the possible fraud. Forensic accountants also help in other legal matters, such as bankruptcy or divorce proceedings.
• How to use ethical decision-making skills to meet the challenges of the professional and business environment.

The program will provide students with the ability to obtain the additional 30 credit hours to be eligible for licensure as Certified Public Accountants (NYS CPA) as well as being able to obtain other certification such as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).  

For more information on the MS Forensic Accounting visit the degree webpage.

Admission

The goal of the admission policy is the selection of those candidates who indicate the greatest potential for academic and professional achievement. The candidate for admission to graduate study must present evidence of qualifications to participate successfully in a graduate level academic endeavor.

The MSF Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach in evaluating an application for admission. The committee takes into consideration the undergraduate QPA (and any graduate QPA) and the scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) will not be accepted. Following guidelines are suggested for those considering applying. The candidate should have a total of at least 1100 points based on this formula: 200 times the undergraduate QPA (4.0 system) + the GMAT. A minimum score of 500 is recommended on the GMAT.

Applicants should plan to take the GMAT at the earliest opportunity. Information is available online about the GMAT.

Each applicant must submit:

1. a completed application form,
2. an official transcript of all college work,
3. other information as requested by the Admissions Committee.
4. A resume
5. An official score on the GMAT to be submitted by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

Academic Standing

MSF

A student is placed on academic probation if:

1. After completion of six hours of course work, the student’s cumulative grade point average is 2.80 or lower,
   OR
2. Any time after completion of nine or more hours of course work, the cumulative grade point average is less than 3.00.

A student may be dismissed from the program if:

1. After completion of six hours of course work, subsequent to being placed on academic probation, the cumulative grade point average is less than 2.80,
   OR
2. After completion of at least 18 hours of course work, the cumulative grade point average is less than 3.00. A student may be dismissed without having been placed on probation first.

Note: For the purpose of these policies, averages are computed according to the values listed in the Academic Procedures section.

To graduate, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00.

Curriculum

Learning Goals & Objectives

Learning Goal 1

Graduates will develop and apply processes and procedures to recognize and prevent fraudulent activity in the collection and manipulation of financial data.

Students will:

• Objective A: Develop and apply tools and methods to fraud detection and prevention;
• Objective B: Appropriately use interviewing processes and develop plans for the conduct of interviews in the context of fraud detection and deterrence;
• Objective C: Explain the use of technology in auditing and fraud detection.

Learning Goal 2

Graduates will apply legal and ethical principles in decision-making in the context of fraud investigation and analysis.

Students will:

• Objective A: Apply professional accounting and auditing standards to fraud-related investigative work;
• Objective B: Apply ethical values in the context of fraud detection and deterrence engagements.

Courses

MBA Courses

*Students that have completed MBA 707, MBA 716, MBA 725, or MBA 726 at the undergraduate level will be allowed to substitute an MBA elective.

MBA RECOMMENDED Electives

*For other course descriptions for electives see the MBA course page.