Continue your pursuit of professional growth.
Follow the money: Fraud investigation, auditing, and complex decision-making all require the ability to track patterns of financial transactions and identify discrepancies. Accounting and finance professionals can gain these tools through Isenberg’s Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting, available entirely online for your convenience.
If you’re considering applying to the Isenberg Master of Science in Accounting program, all of these certificate credits will transfer toward that degree.
CPA CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Additionally, courses in the Certificate program meet CPA continuing education professional (CPE) requirements. Students enrolled in the program can fulfill their CPE credits and gain a career-building credential at the same time.
COURSEWORK
Earn the Certificate in Forensic Accounting by taking four courses (for a total of 12 credits):
- SCH-MGMT 605*, Exploring Data Analytics for Accounting Professionals
- SCH-MGMT 620, Introduction to Forensic Accounting
- SCH-MGMT 621, Fraud Examination and Investigation
- Elective (Choose One)
- SCH-MGMT 635, White Collar Investigation
- SCH-MGMT 697RC, Cybersecurity Risk Management
*Substitute data analytics courses are available for students who have completed an equivalent course
to SCH-MGMT 605.
View sample course schedules. You will also have access to an Academic Advisor who can assist you with
course registration.
FACULTY
Isenberg’s faculty include highly experienced and renowned researchers and practitioners in the field of forensic accounting:
Certificate director Lynda Schwartz ’86 spent 26 years with Ernst & Young, where she helped lead the Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services practice in New England. She has an active forensic accounting practice and serves on the AICPA’s Forensic and Litigation Services Committee.
Eric Forni ‘04 is a senior trial attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He teaches White Collar Investigations, a course that focuses on the skills business leaders need to negotiate the current legal and regulatory environment.
Assistant Professor Matt Sherwood earned his PhD in accounting from the University of Kansas in 2016 and teaches Financial Statement Auditing and Data Analysis. Before earning his Ph.D., Matt worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Manager in their Data Assurance Group.
HOW TO APPLY
You may begin the program in fall, spring or summer. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Successful applicants will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or be currently enrolled in their final semester. Professional experience is strongly preferred but not required.
All applicants must submit the following:
- Application
- Unofficial transcript
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement (a brief one-page statement describing your goals and why you want to pursue the certificate)
TUITION
Certificate classes are $850 per credit and total tuition of the 12-credit certificate is $10,200. Books, supplies, and registration fee are additional.
We encourage you to speak to your employer about tuition reimbursement. Enrolling in higher education courses increases your value to your employer, and, as a result, can help increase your job stability and career trajectory at your company.
UMass Amherst accepts students from all 50 states into online programs and classes. The University of Massachusetts Amherst operates distance education classes and programs for out-of-state students under the terms and provisions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). California does not participate in the Agreement but allows all public institutions to offer distance education to its residents.
Take the next step.
Fill out the form to start the conversation and one of our program specialists will follow up with you directly. You'll also receive a link to download our Graduate Programs brochure and our program information emails.
