Focus your accounting education on the investigation of financial records to detect fraud with the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination degree. With a forensic accounting degree online, you can build a strong foundation of traditional accounting knowledge. You'll explore the auditing process in depth. And you'll gain key investigative skills to identify, document, and prevent fraud and cybercrime. You can finish your degree armed with the critical thinking skills and essential business knowledge you need to begin a rewarding career in the forensic accounting field.

Learn how to:

- Analyze and apply accounting rules and regulations

- Generate financial records and prepare tax returns

- Effectively communicate accounting information

- Audit financial information and controls

- Apply ethics to conduct and decision-making

Prepare to become a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). An undergraduate forensic accounting degree can also provide the first step toward taking the CFE exam. This credential can help you stand out to employers, as it denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. CFEs are credentialed by the National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. SNHUs forensic accounting degree online can give you a strong foundation in accounting and financial analysis. Forensic accounting courses focused on fraud detection and investigation can supplement your core accounting classes. The online forensic accounting degree also includes a strong foundation in general business courses.

Business core courses include:

- Business law

- Finance

- Business systems analysis and design

- Marketing

- Human relations

- Strategic management

"These courses ensure you understand and can incorporate key business concepts into accounting and auditing roles. What originally attracted me to the forensic accounting program was the fact that it offers a combination of elements from accounting, law, and criminal justice," said Sean Ball '14 '17G '19MBA. "This program takes the concepts of accounting and shows you how to apply them in both law and criminal justice matters. This is also what separates the forensic accounting program from other programs, as at the end of the day you have a hybrid major of elements from accounting, law, and criminal justice. This is a combination that is not offered in other programs."

You can also build valuable career skills with general education courses, including writing, analysis, and quantitative reasoning skills. In your primary accounting courses, you'll explore a variety of topics, including:

- General accounting principles

- Financial statement analysis

- Auditing

- Taxation

- Business law

Your forensic accounting courses dive deeper into the investigation, detection, and prevention of fraud. You'll focus on the prevention of accounting fraud, stock fraud, employee theft, and embezzlement. You'll learn how to investigate and recognize fraud within an organization and how to implement the latest techniques for controlling it. You can also learn how to review, detect and investigate possible financial statement fraud and assess the risks of this type of fraud. One of your online forensic accounting courses will also cover interview principles and techniques that are key to fraud investigations.

In this course, you'll be exposed to some of the legal aspects related to the identification and prosecution of fraud. You can also learn about the importance of technology in the detection and prevention of modern financial crime. You'll learn more about computer crime and how to work with digital evidence. You can explore identity theft, locate digital evidence, work with data, and present investigative findings. Case studies of cybercrime examples can help you apply your learning to real-world situations.

Want even more hands-on learning opportunities? SNHUs career advising team can also help you set up an accounting internship to supplement your learning. An internship is not required to earn a forensic accounting degree online. But real-world experience can help you develop key soft skills and ultimately find success in your field.

These skills include:

- Communication: Effectively share financial information with internal and external audiences.

- Analysis: Gather and review financial data to identify fraud and examine financial risk.

- Problem-solving: Connect classroom learning and hands-on experience to solve real-world problems.

- Decision-making: Apply professional ethics to make decisions in the field of accounting.

"As an online student, you can also benefit from a variety of learning opportunities. You'll have access to virtual tutoring and writing services. You can even join online clubs and student organizations to supplement your learning and grow your personal network. "The support that SNHU offered me allowed me to fulfill my dream of graduating with high honors," said April Cutler '18, who also served as a graduation speaker during her graduation ceremony. "I did just that, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0. This opened an invitation to be a student speaker. Standing before my kids on Mothers Day, not only finally getting my degree, but representing my class, was the proudest moment I have ever experienced."

You'll also have access to a full range of career services. Career services include networking opportunities, resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and more. These services are even available after you graduate. SNHUs generous transfer policy can also help you save time and money when earning your degree. You can transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor's degree program. With the maximum transfer credit load, you could earn your degree in as few as 5 terms, or 10 courses.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That's why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

- Completed free undergraduate application

- Prior transcripts, which we can retrieve at no cost to you

- Test scores are not required as part of your application Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)