About the Course
Dr. Larry Crumbly, editor – “Journal of Forensic Accounting”
Forensic Accounting is the specialty practice area of accounting that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation. “Forensic” means suitable for use in Court, and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work.
Forensic Accounting encompasses both Litigation Support and Investigative Accounting.
Litigation Support: Litigation represents the factual presentation of economic issues related to existing or pending litigation. In this capacity, the forensic accountant quantifies damages sustained by parties involved in legal disputes and can assist in resolving disputes before they reach the courtroom.
If a dispute reaches the courtroom, the forensic accountant may testify as an expert witness. Knowledge of the courtroom sets the forensic accountant apart from a typical accountant.
Investigation: The act of determining whether criminal matters such as employee theft, securities fraud (including falsification of financial statements), identity theft, or insurance fraud have occurred. Investigation may also occur in civil matters. A forensic accountant may be hired to search for hidden assets in a divorce case.
While forensic accounting and fraud auditing are related, fraud auditing is more anticipatory. Fraud auditors try to control a situation before something happens, whereas a forensic accountant may be hired after the fact. A forensic accountant is usually hired after a company suspects theft, fraud or embezzlement.
Forensic accountants are suspicious. They must be able to apply their accounting knowledge to legal issues. A forensic CPA will be asked to write expert reports, assist in depositions, testify as an expert witness, conduct fraud investigations and assist in civil and criminal investigations.
Syllabus
The programme consists of 5 papers:
- Principles Of Fraud Examination
- Criminal Interrogations & Confessions
- Forensic & Investigative Accounting
- Financial Investigation & Forensic Accounting
- Corporate Fraud Handbook
Following the classroom instruction of each paper, students will be required to sit a certification test to acquire certification for each paper.
Eligibility and Other Important Information
To become a Forensic Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) applicants must be a qualified accounting professionals; ACCA, CGA, CPA, CA, CMA.
Non – Qualified Accountants can also pursue each certificate course to enhance their skills set in their various professions. They will receive a certificate for each course once they have successfully passed the online examination, however they will not be eligible to obtain the (FCPA) designation.
Visit: http://www.fcpas.org/
http://www.forensicaccounting.com/one.htm
