As corporate financial scandals and economic crises have created an increased demand for forensic accountants, the duties of financial professionals are not limited to uncovering white collar crime.
Today, in addition to exposing mortgage and healthcare fraud, forensics accounting professionals are tackling international terrorism, domestic terrorism, and organized crime cases.
The master's degree in forensic accounting at Webster University offers graduate students a rigorous academic experience that provides the knowledge and skill to investigate financial fraud. Curriculum includes courses in criminal and civil investigation, legal procedure, forensic analytics, cyber forensics, substantive law, valuation, economic damages, internal auditing, and risk management.
Job Outlook
- According to an AICPA survey, 76% of forensic and 54% of valuation professionals expect their practices to grow in the next two to five years. – Journal of Accountancy, March 2015
- Salary Ranges for Forensic Accountants in St. Louis in 2018: $ 75,000 - $ 142,000. – Robert Half International 2016 Salary Guide
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to identify and apply the law, the rules of procedure, and evidence and ethics that relate to forensic accounting
- Students will be able to identify, investigate, and discover fraud, and other improper accounting activities
- Students will be able to, orally and in writing, effectively communicate matters related to forensic accounting
Points of distinction
- Courses are taught by faculty who are experts in their field, including Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE). Faculty are accountants and attorneys who have extensive and varied backgrounds in accounting, law, investigation, cyber forensics, and valuation
- Graduates of this program are employed at accounting firms, private industry and governmental agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and US Postal Service
- Designed as an evening program for working professionals, it is available full-time or part-time beginning in August or January
Forensic Accounting Academic Programs
To read about specific program requirements, learning outcomes and how to apply, click on a program from the following list:
Additional Information
Continuing Professional Education Credit (CPE)
Webster University is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Therefore, anyone taking courses in our forensic accounting program can also qualify for CPE credit. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.