Top 5 Forensic Accounting Schools

Forensic accountant has played an important role in solving white collar crimes. As the demand for forensic accountants keeps increasing, forensic accountant has been selected as one of the "20 hot job tracks of the future" by US News & World Report. There are more and more universities offering this particular degree program either offline or online.

Here are the Top 5 Forensic Accounting Schools in Unites States:

1. The Florida Atlantic School of Accounting
It is the fastest growing state university with the track record of having the highest passing rate in CPA examination for the past 10 years. It is also ranked as one of the top 50 Business schools for entrepreneurs.

2. Aakers College
It has been established for more than 100 years and it is famous for its Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, State Board for Vocational and Technical Education. It offers online programs to students world-wide.

3. University of Phoenix
It is well known for providing quality online accounting courses to working adults and people who prefer home based learning. It has created opportunities for people who wish to obtain higher education at home

4. Birmingham's School of Business, The University of Alabama
It has been ranked as one of the Top 10 metropolitan state business schools, offering two levels of Accounting Degree programs, i.e. Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Accounting

5. American Intercontinental University (AIU)
It has been supported by over 400 major companies who serve as education partners. They offer dynamic virtual campus experience to students and they make the studies as practical as real world.

For more information about what is forensic accounting and forensic accounting schools, visit ForensicAccountingDemystified.com.

Tips For Forensic Accounting

Forensic accountants are specially trained to apply the knowledge in auditing, accounting and finance as well as utilizing the investigative skills to uncover the truth in illegal financial activities, assist in investigating potential crimes and form legal opinions.

Here are some tips and advice on forensic accounting for those who are interested to get involved:

1. Avoid yourself from getting involved in any scandal by improving your internal controls

In today business world, there are many business owners who allocate budget to hire forensic accountants to assist them in analyzing their existing business practices and processes, making recommendations for improvement, helping them to minimize fraudulent activities in the company. As a result, as a forensic accountant, you must always provide your service in a professional and effective manner.

2. Equip yourself with good public speaking skill and effective presentation skill

A forensic accountant sometimes needs to provide assistance in legal proceeding, including testifying in court as an expert witness. Therefore, a forensic accountant must have good public speaking skills and they must have full exposure in doing presentation.

3. Always find opportunities to upgrade yourself with necessary skills and knowledge

Forensic accountants should always upgrade themselves by attending extra academic courses, trainings, seminars and forums in the related field to make themselves more marketable in this specific field.

4. Forensic accountants have to possess multiple skills by combining the skills required as professional record keeper, a paralegal and an investigator.

Forensic accounting requires one to possess the ability to interpret facts, analyze data, think logically and he or she must have the sensitivity of figures. A capable forensic accountant must possess the personal characteristics as follows - calm, curious, persistent, organized, confident, creative, fair, strict, determined, and so on and so forth.

For more information about benefits of forensic accounting and forensic accounting career, visit ForensicAccountingDemystified.com.

How to Earn a Forensic Accounting Certification

It is necessary for a forensic accountant to obtain a forensic accounting certification for the purpose of job promotion, increment of salary, additional responsibilities assigned, job relocation, professional recognition and personal career advancement.

Currently there are a variety of forensic accounting courses and programs offered through offline and online for the public and many of the courses offered are either recognized locally and internationally.

There are many alternatives for you to select in the process of earning a forensic accounting certification. There are factors you need to consider, such as the duration of the program, fee for the program, the passing rate of the examination, the marketability of the program, the recognition world wide, etc.

1. Certification through Online program

If you have a full time job currently, it is wise for you to select to pursue and obtain the certification online. There are many universities offering accredited online programs which are very flexible in terms of time and venue.

2. Enroll yourself to the university or colleges and attend face to face lectures

Before obtaining forensic accounting expertise, you need to be a bachelor degree holder in accounting or finance. Then you may opt to attend professional certified program or master degree program which offer you an equivalent academic qualification in the universities or colleges which offer full time classes, evening classes or weekend classes.

You need to pass the examination for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as this is the preliminary condition of many firms. If you haven't got a degree program, you need to consult the university or college to find out whether there is any exceptional program catered for a non degree holder.

For more information about forensic accounting career and forensic accounting schools, visit ForensicAccountingDemystified.com.

What is Forensics Accounting and What Does a Forensic Accountant Do?

A lot of people do not really know what forensic accounting is about. Forensics accounting is actually the practice of utilizing accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to conduct examination into a company's financial statements in legal matters.

Forensics Accounting consists of three main areas, for example, litigation support, investigation and dispute resolution. Litigation support involves the factual presentation of financial issues related to existing or pending litigation. In such circumstances, the forensic accounting professionals are normally responsible to quantify the damages sustained by the parties involved in legal disputes before these cases are brought to the court.

Investigation comes in when criminal matters have occurred, such as falsification of financial statements, internal theft, securities fraud, insurance fraud, bribery, and so on and so forth. Further actions are taken after detailed investigation is conducted.

On the other hand, when a dispute has been brought to the court, the forensic accountant may act as an expert witness for the related matter. They will also be responsible for preparing necessary evidence. Forensic accountants are specialized accountants. They can also be called forensic auditors or investigative auditors.

They are specialized in investigating and interpreting white collar crimes which always relate to criminal financial transactions in the company, i.e. money laundering. Most of the time, they also get involved in investigating securities fraud, contract disputes and other illegal business activities such as bribery and embezzlement.

Forensic accountants utilize their knowledge in accounting and finance as well as company law and commercial law in their daily routine. They are also well equipped with all the updated business information, government legislation, financial reporting systems, accounting and auditing standards, and litigation processes and procedures when they are carrying out their task.

Furthermore, besides the required knowledge, it is essential for them to have two important skills, for example, investigative techniques as well as evidence gathering skills in performing their task.

Forensic accountants have played an important role in assisting the government as well as the public to detect accounting scandals and financial crimes caused by individuals, companies and organized crime networks. Unlike accountants and auditors, when forensic accountants conduct audits, they are actively looking for signs of fraud and they use their investigative skills to determine whether a business activity or a financial transaction is illegal.

Forensic accountants are part of the extension of the legal team and they are responsible for preparing and reviewing financial evidence. Their responsibilities are as follows:

• Investigating and analyzing financial evidence, especially in complex or potential criminal financial transactions


• Developing computerized applications to analyze, compare and interpret financial facts and figures


• Transforming their findings into reports to the related people for their financial decision


• Assisting in legal proceedings, including preparing supporting documents and acting as expert witnesses during trials

For more information about forensic accounting career and forensic accounting schools, visit ForensicAccountingDemystified.com.