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Forensic Accounting Online Undergraduate Certificate Program

can be completed in as little as

4 terms*

*2 terms per semester; each term is 7 weeks

Tuition

$335/credit

$1,005 3-credit course

Active Duty Military

truED Preferred Tuition

Credit Hours Required

21*

Summer 1 Application Deadline

April 25

Upcoming Start Dates

Summer 1: May 6

Summer 2: July 1

Explore Forensic Accounting

Designed for those interested in becoming a forensic accountant, Champlain's forensic accounting certificate online provides a foundation of forensic knowledge and accounting expertise. The forensic accounting courses in this forensic accounting certificate are taken alongside Champlain's computer forensics students, providing an opportunity to integrate both disciplines.

This forensic accounting certificate online program can be taken as a stand-alone program or as part of Champlain'sonline accounting bachelor's degree program.

 

Build Your Career Future

We understand how important it is for busy working adults to gain knowledge and expertise quickly, which is why our forensic accounting certificate courses are applicable to the workplace from day one. Whether you've already earned an undergraduate degree or you're currently pursuing your bachelor's degree, a forensic accounting certificate is a great way to earn a credential in the field, get your resume noticed, and demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of knowledge. This certificate program provides professional learning in such areas as financial statement fraud, financial audits, fraud prevention, and other areas of a finance profession.

Fast Start Formula Career Bundle

Propel your career even further by upgrading your certificate with our Fast Start Formula Career Bundle designed to get you noticed and get you hired. Gain access to the Fast Start Formula Career Course, the Landing A Job You'll Love Ebook, and live webinars with "hot seat" coaching by Executive Career Coach Jen Morris. 

Take the next step

Academic Excellence and Recognition

US News & World Report Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs

Ranked among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs by U.S. News & World Report

Ranked Among Best Online Accounting Bachelor's Degrees

Ranked among the Best Online Accounting Bachelor's Degrees

Intelligent.com ranks Champlain College Online among best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees

Designated among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com

New England Commission of Higher Education Logo

Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

Gain New Skills with a Certificate

Accounting careers are projected to grow 7% between 2020 and 2030, with globalization and a growing economy resulting in high demand for qualified accounting professionals.* 

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020

Top Reasons to Pursue a Certificate

  • Enter a new field
  • Build new skills
  • Gain knowledge on your way towards a degree
  • Differentiate your resume
  • Earn a credential
  • Demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of learning
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Program Details

Learn more about Champlain's 100% online undergraduate certificate in forensic accounting.

Champlain's online forensic accounting courses encompass the top skills needed by today's accounting professionals.

Required Courses (21 Credits):

This course serves as an introduction to forensic (fraud) accounting. Topics include fraud examination techniques, interview techniques, rules of evidence relating to fraud, internal control methodology, asset misappropriation and financial statement misrepresentation. Students cover various fraud examination techniques. Students also learn rules of evidence as they relate to several different fraudulent activities including illegal activities such as wagering, money laundering, cash skimming and embezzlement. Course presentation assumes basic accounting knowledge and guides the student into specialized applied settings, indicative of forensic accounting.

Prerequisites

ACCT-130

Learn the fundamentals of accounting information systems and how they function and fit into organizations. Using a cycles approach, the course introduces internal controls, covers basic elements of the revenue and expense cycles, and you will become proficient with documentation techniques, such as flowcharting. You will also consider the uses of computerized accounting software and undertake a software research project. The course focuses on the needs and responsibilities of accountants as users and developers of information technology.

Prerequisites

ACCT-231

In this course students develop an understanding of the auditing process and the relationship between auditing and the organization. The student will demonstrate knowledge of specific auditing concepts, professional standards and procedures utilized by a professional auditor. The student will also discuss other attestation work performed by practicing CPAs as well as ethical and legal considerations of the public accounting profession.. Critical thinking and communication skills are utilized in the course assessments.

Prerequisites

Complete MATH-180. ACCT-231 is the required corequisite course.

This exciting course introduces students to the myriad software tools and best practices for handling digital evidence. Labs utilize Champlain College Online's Forensic VDI and challenge students to begin building their skills, from creating a hash value for a forensic copy with X-Ways Forensics and FTK Imager, to examining evidence with The Sleuth Kit (TSK), Autopsy and/or EnCase.

Prerequisites

Complete CMIT-135 and CMIT-140

White collar crime investigations often require investigators and examiners to dig deep because the schemes to defraud are complex. In this course, students examine many different types of white-collar crime, including frauds (consumer, securities, corporate and fiduciary, and health care), environmental crimes, abuse of power (public officials and corruption), and computer crimes. Students are also asked to assume the role of forensic accountant in a scenario-based lab and determine what, if any, financial crimes have been committed.

Prerequisites

Complete CFDI-240. Complete ACCT-130 or ACCT-120.

Investigations don't just happen. Sometimes victims allow investigators to examine their devices and other times search warrants are necessary. In this course, students work a case in a manner that closely resembles piecing together a puzzle. They examine the digital evidence that is provided with Autopsy and Axiom, and then, in the final week, conclude the investigation and submit a final investigative report that documents the evidence, details the analysis work, provides an accurate timeline, and takes into account the information and data from the victim and offender(s).

Prerequisites

CFDI-240

Computer evidence (digital evidence) is being used every day in our country to convict criminals of crimes ranging from possession of child pornography to embezzlement to murder. Every competent, modern law enforcement officer understands the significance of digital evidence in every case submitted for prosecution. Students will be required to learn, and apply, legal principles that govern how this vital evidence is recovered (and used) to insure that it will be legally admissible in court.

Prerequisites

CRIM-120, CFDI-240 and 60 completed credits or permission of the program director.

Graduates of the online forensic accounting certificate program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:

  • Understand the relationship between technology and information in the accounting profession.
  • Able to find and gather digital information for a criminal investigation.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of criminal law and its application to cybercrime in the accounting arena.
  • Understand accounting and IT internal controls, and how weaknesses in these controls may be fraudulently exploited.

Champlain College Online's accounting faculty, led by Program Director Dr. Linda Miller, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our forensic accounting certificate curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s accounting professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the world of accounting, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.

Alumni of the Champlain College Online undergraduate certificate in forensic accounting work in corporations, small businesses, government organizations, and nonprofits nationwide, including:

  • Citibank
  • GE Healthcare
  • General Electric 
  • Mass Mutual Financial Group
  • SunCommon
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Titles our alumni hold include:

  • Account Executive
  • Accountant 
  • Auditor 
  • Corrections Officer 
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Principal Software Engineer
  • Special Agent

Many certificate students come to us seeking ways to get noticed at their current employers or to get hired in a new field. Given that, we are hyper focused on increasing the career mobility of our students and that's why we developed the Fast Start Formula Career Bundle, a suite of career offerings designed to help our students get noticed, get hired and land jobs they'll love.

Valued at over $1,000, the career bundle is offered to Champlain College Online students: 

  • Fast Start Formula Course: The Fast Start Formula Course for getting noticed and getting hired is taught by Jen Morris, an executive career coach that we've developed a partnership with to support our students in their job search journeys. This course is online, self-paced and full of tips and tricks to land a job you'll love.
  • Live Webinars: Log-on to ask your specific job search questions, get live “hot seat” coaching and gain valuable insights from leading career coach, Jen Morris.
  • Landing A Job You'll Love Ebook: Download this ebook full of tips and tricks for standing out from the competition. From how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, to insider information on how recruiters work and bypassing the automated application websites, you’ll be sure to learn how rise to the top. 

Upon enrollment in a degree or certificate, your access to the Fast Start Formula Career Bundle will made available to you. 

Tuition & Costs

Online Undergraduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '24

$335 per credit
$1,005* per course
$290** per credit for alumni who earned a degree from Champlain, on-campus or online
$250 per credit for military service members (family members see truED tuition)
$150 One-time graduation fee

*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits

** Starts Summer 2024, not retroactive 

See the undergraduate cost of attendance and fees here

What To Expect at Champlain Online

Expect Convenience

Go to school wherever and whenever is best for you, on the device of your choice.

Expect A Career Focus

Relevant and immediately applicable coursework gets you ready for your next career move

Expect Support

Your dedicated academic advisor provides the support you need to meet your academic goals

Expect Superior Faculty

Learn from practitioner faculty working in the field, with real-world experience and knowledge.

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