Discover the compelling field of forensic accounting. This course covers fraud, financial crime and data analysis procedures – invaluable insight used by professionals in the search for criminal activity in both public and private sector organisations. It will prepare you to conduct fraud investigation and give expert testimony and litigation support for public and private sector organisations.

Learn about accounting scandals and incidences of fraud, and find out how they can be detected, prevented and deterred, with study of the legal environment in which forensic accounting operates. Discover digital forensics, including how to investigate digital artefacts, and find out how recent corporate failures in the UK, Italy and USA have led to conversations about the role of corporate governance and corporate social responsibilities.

Forensic Accounting (Applied) MSc

You have the option to study this course one year full-time or two years full-time. The opportunity to study over two years will enable you to source, with the help of our dedicated careers team DMU Works and our expert academics, a three-month work experience in the field.  Students have taken up placements in areas such as forensic accounting or counter fraud roles and projects, gaining invaluable real-world experience and an edge in the competitive field.

Key features

• The course offers exemption from the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants’ examinations and, for students who have the required three years’ practical experience, serves as a direct entry route to the Certified Professional Forensic Accountant certification.
• All key staff are members of the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. This is an endorsement of the high-quality teaching we provide, and further emphasises the alignment of the work of the department within the profession.
• Specialise in forensic accounting. This course is an opportunity for accountants, auditors, allied professionals and other practitioners seeking theoretical depth and practical insights into fraud investigation and litigation support.
• The two-year option offers the chance to engage in a three-month internship, to apply your knowledge in real-world situations.

Structure and assessment

Course modules

Fraud Examination and Investigation – Develop your knowledge and understanding of incidences of fraud, defalcation, misrepresentation, creative accounting and accounting scandals within organisational contexts. You will be exposed to different fraudulent accounting schemes, the rationale behind them and how they can be detected, prevented and deterred.

Financial Crime and Law – Explore the legal environment in which forensic accounting operates. You will develop an understanding of the law, its principles and the criminal legal system of the UK, and make comparisons with other global legal systems.

Research Methods – This module introduces you to the basic elements of research methodology and the complete range of research methods suitable for research in finance, accounting and business. It aims to help you define a research topic and produce a suitable research proposal for your dissertation.

Digital Forensics Principles and Practice – A computer laboratory based module focussing on incidence response, investigating digital artefacts, interpreting and expert witness reporting and evaluating a range of forensic investigation tools techniques and principles.

Governance and Social Responsibility – Recent corporate failures in the UK, Italy and USA have heightened public discourse on the role of corporate governance and corporate social responsibilities (CSR) in business survival. This module will allow to develop the ability to critically evaluate a wide range of concepts, principles, theories, models, systems, mechanisms, reforms and research in corporate governance and CSR. You will also be exposed to the practicality of constructive decision making at the board level to ensure business stability and growth.

Risk Management Part 1 – Study the concept of Risk Management with an emphasis on Enterprise Risk Management. You’ll cover the gambit of sources of risk that the modern enterprises face and develop dynamic solutions that mitigate their impact. Much of the coverage is in line with the requirements of the world-renown Institute for Risk Management.

Assurance and Risk – Gain an understanding of the importance of internal controls used within organisations to ensure risks are mitigated to an acceptable level, or avoided altogether. You’ll also develop an understanding of the key areas of an organisation that require internal controls and gain an understanding as to how these key areas could be disrupted to expose the organisation to failure that could have been identified and prevented.

Elective taught modules include:

• Risk Management
• Investment Fraud
• Corporate Governance
• Strategic and Financial Decision Making

Note: All modules are subject to change in order to keep content current.

Facilities and features