ACG501 Forensic Accounting (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Accounting (ACCOU)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

Forensic accounting deals with investigative strategies and techniques designed to detect and report on financial fraud and “white collar” crime. Financial statement fraud, securities fraud, employee theft, money laundering and transnational fraud, e-commerce fraud and insurance fraud will be examined in terms of motivations, symptoms and detection. Investigative techniques, interviewing witnesses and perpetrators, evidence collection and evaluation, legal report writing and testifying are skills required by forensic accountants and will be developed in students by this subject. The importance of establishing policies for fraud prevention is emphasised.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Internal	CSU Study Centre Melbourne
Internal	CSU Study Centre Sydney
Distance	Wagga Wagga

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: ACG501

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Enrolment restrictions:

Available to postgraduate students only.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to explain the role of the independent accountant in uncovering fraudulent activity.
be able to describe the relationship between accounting and law in the prosecution of financial fraud.
be able to identify current and emerging forms of financial fraud.
be able to identify, analyse and interpret indicators of financially fraudulent activity.
be able to explain investigative processes and the nature and range of investigative techniques, and identify situations for their application.
be able to collect evidence and evaluate and present the results of investigation in a legal context.
be able to apply knowledge of accounting and business to practical case studies involving fraudulent activity.
be able to explain the role of governance structures, internal controls and compliance policies in the prevention of financial fraud.

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

Forensic accounting and the role of the independent accountant
Types of financial fraud - current and emerging
Indicators of fraud in business
Financial statement fraud - case study
Fraud investigation: strategies, processes and techniques
Evidence collection, interpretation and reporting
Legal frameworks and litigation support from accountants
Fraud prevention in organisations

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