Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting

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, which can be earned either entirely online or with some classes offered at the university’s Newton campus, just eight miles from downtown Boston.

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 704, Exploring Data Analytics for Accounting Professionals
• SCH-MGMT 620, Introduction to Forensic Accounting
• SCH-MGMT 621, Fraud Investigation
• SCH-MGMT 635, White Collar Investigation

FACULTY

The school’s faculty members 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 must apply for acceptance to the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting. Successful applicants will possess a bachelor degree in a business discipline. All applicants must have taken introductory financial and introductory managerial accounting. 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)

You may begin the program in fall, spring or summer. View sample course schedules. You will also have access to an Academic Advisor who can assist you with course registration.

TUITION

Certificate classes are $800 per credit and the total cost of the 12-credit certificate is $9600.

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.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Program Information Specialist Dylan Curcio at dcurcio@isenberg.umass.edu or schedule an appointment.