Forensic Accounting Certificate

The certificate in Forensic Accounting allows students to combine their accounting knowledge with the skills utilized in investigations to prevent white-collar criminal activity in banking and financial sectors.

This certificate helps boost a student's ability to detect and prevent financial fraud and provides students with the knowledge about procedures within the auditing sector. After completion of the certificate, students are better equipped to successfully pass professional certifications such as the Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Financial Forensics. Students later on are employed by public accounting firms such as Aprio, governmental agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and the IRS, and corporations.

Courses

Required Courses

In the 9 credit program, students take:

ACC 4100 - Audit and Assurance

Auditing procedures and techniques associated with public accounting and with internal auditing for business entities. Topics include auditor's responsibilities, professional ethics, generally accepted auditing standards, purpose and types of audits, objectives, internal control, evidence, organization within the public accounting profession, the audit program, and auditing procedures and techniques.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): ACC 3000 or ACC 5050

ACC 5100 - Advanced Auditing and Fraud Examination

An in-depth study of auditing with a focus on fraud examination from an external auditor's perspective. The course utilizes problems, cases, and projects using digital evidence and analytical tools relating to fraud examination and forensic accounting.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Forensic Accounting, Accounting Analytics, Accounting and Analytics, Accounting; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
Pre-Requisite(s): ACC 4100

Elective Courses

Then choose an elective from the options below, including:

BA 5200 - Information Systems Management and Data Analytics

Focuses on management of IS/IT within the business environment. Topics include IT infrastructure and architecture, organizational impact of innovation, change management, human-machine interaction, and contemporary management issues involving data analytics. Class format includes lecture, group discussion, and integrative case studies.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Accounting, Business Administration, Data Science, Applied Natural Resource Econ., Accounting Analytics, Forensic Accounting, Health Informatics, Accounting and Analytics, Engineering Management

MA 5701 - Statistical Methods

Introduction to design, conduct, and analysis of statistical studies, with an introduction to statistical computing and preparation of statistical reports. Topics include design, descriptive, and graphical methods, probability models, parameter estimation and hypothesis testing.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

MA 5781 - Time Series Analysis and Forecasting

Statistical modeling and inference for analyzing experimental data that have been observed at different points in time. Topics include models for stationary and non stationary time series, model specification, parametric estimation, model diagnostics and forecasting, seasonal models and time series regression models.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): (MA 2710 or MA 2720 or MA 3710 or MA 3715 or MA 5701) and (MA 3720 or EE 3180 or MA 4700)

Graduate Program Director:

Laura Sieders

Graduate Program Assistant:

Laura Shawhan

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Coursework in the Forensic Accounting Certificate is designed to allow students to develop knowledge and skills in investigative accounting and fraud prevention. Our contemporary program combines traditional auditing principals with information security and data analysis techniques to provide students with advanced forensics training.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Accounting I
Résumé / Curriculum vitae (waived for Michigan Tech undergrads)
Open to any major

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

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Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.