Online MBA in Fraud & Forensic Accounting Programs
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“The industry is always changing, particularly in tax laws, so staying informed through continuous learning will enable you to provide the most relevant expertise.”
Jasmine Young, MBA, Certified Fraud Examiner
While many corporate fraud scandals have shaken the world, recent technological advances have made financial crime easier to detect and prosecute. A degree in accounting can help individuals track the financial and operational health of a company, but a master of business administration (MBA) with a focus on forensic accounting can arm these professionals with the technological and analytical skills to tackle financial crime.
Fraud management programs provide students with data-driven decision-making skills, investigative techniques, and an in-depth understanding of how technology can prevent fraud. Students also gain advanced auditing and assurance skills in forensic auditing, ethics, assurance for IT and e-commerce, and legal liability. Outside of these programs’ focus on forensic accounting, an MBA more broadly strengthens a person’s knowledge of core business fundamentals such as economic principles, finance, marketing, and management.
These programs can open several avenues for students in the public and private sectors, including opportunities for auditing, research, litigation support, and dispute resolution. The holistic nature of these programs makes them ideal for candidates pursuing leadership positions in any industry. Additionally, a degree of this type, which covers various topics such as law, accounting, business processes, and fraud management, immediately sets candidates apart in a competitive job market.
Several industries are particularly susceptible to financial fraud and thus are more in need of qualified professionals. These industries include the banking, telecommunications, retail, insurance, and financial services sectors. However, students interested in the public sector can pursue roles in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the US Postal Service. Upon completing an MBA in this concentration, candidates may qualify for the Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Public Accountant exams.
This guide explores several online MBA programs in fraud management and forensic accounting and three exceptional faculty members from their respective schools.
| Featured Fraud & Forensic Accounting Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | BS in Accounting - Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | Visit Site |
| UNC Pembroke | Online MBA - Forensic Accounting | Visit Site |
| The University of Scranton | Online Master of Accountancy - Forensic Accounting | Visit Site |
| Murray State University | MBA - Forensic Accounting | Visit Site |
| Carlow University | MBA - Fraud and Forensics | Visit Site |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Jasmine Young, CFE, MBA, CPA
Originating from Indian Ridge, Alabama, Jasmine Young, CFE, MBA, CPA, is an accomplished certified public accountant and tax strategist with over 11 years of government and public accounting expertise. She is the visionary behind the “My CPA is Black” brand, which strives to enhance diversity and minority representation within the CPA profession. Young also founded Southern Heritage Financial Group, a CPA firm based in Atlanta with a global reach dedicated to educating families about financial health one step at a time.
Young earned her bachelor of science in accounting from Alabama A&M University, an MBA through the University of Arkansas at Grantham, and her CPA license through the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. Her professional affiliations include active memberships in the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, the Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Society of CPAs, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Deeply committed to community development, Young offers a range of resources and services to ignite passion and build enduring legacies to enhance generational wealth for years to come.
BSchools.org: How has graduating with an MBA enhanced your accounting career?
Young: Graduating with an MBA has significantly advanced my accounting career in several key ways. Firstly, to sit for the CPA exam, minimum credit-hour requirements must be met. Completing my MBA enabled me to obtain the necessary credit hours to qualify to sit for the CPA exam.
Furthermore, now that I hold a CPA license and have been running my firm for almost 10 years, the skills gained from my MBA have been invaluable in managing my staff. Possessing a CPA license equips you with the knowledge to perform the work. However, training others and managing their workloads, particularly during busy periods like tax season, requires a different skill set. Mastering business management through my MBA has been crucial in helping me grow my career and achieve the level of success I enjoy today.
BSchools.org: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring MBA student wanting to specialize in financial forensics or fraud examination?
Young: First, find a mentor. An MBA degree opens many doors, but having hands-on experience in the field will help you pinpoint exactly what you want to do.
Second, if forensic accounting interests you, obtain continuing professional education hours to sharpen your skills. The industry is constantly evolving, especially with advancements in AI. To stay ahead and excel in your specialty, engaging in continuing education through courses, programs, conferences, and networking is crucial. This helps you stay updated on new laws and regulations that could impact your work, whether in corporate or running your own practice.
In summary, having a mentor and continually pursuing education is key. The industry is always changing, particularly in tax laws, so staying informed through continuous learning will enable you to provide the most relevant expertise.
Featured Online MBA Programs with Fraud & Forensic Accounting Specialties
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke School of Business offers an online master of business administration program with a concentration in forensic accounting, providing students with expertise in financial investigations and preparing them for exams needed for becoming certified fraud examiners. Students in this program will study all types of occupational fraud, the techniques for investigation and prevention, and litigation support services provided by forensic accountants. The curriculum will enable students to build their foundation in functional business areas like marketing, economics, strategic planning, and management.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a GPA of 2.5, a completed online application, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, and GMAT or GRE scores (waived for 3.0 undergraduate GPA or completion of a master’s degree).
The program’s 36-credit curriculum includes eight core courses and four forensic accounting concentration courses. Students will explore topics such as international business, organizational theory and behavior, marketing planning and strategy, fraud examination, forensic accounting, legal issues for managers, and forensic analytics.
| Location: Pembroke, NC |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
This MBA program offered by Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas has a concentration in accounting and aims to prepare students for leadership and strategic positions. The 36-credit program is open for those who have completed intermediate coursework in accounting at the undergraduate level and can be completed in one year. Students are required to submit GMAT or GRE scores and a GPA of at least 3.0. GMAT scores may be waived for special cases.
The program has a strong emphasis on accounting, along with economics, organizational behavior, and operations management. The concentration portion of the program includes courses in forensic accounting; taxes and business strategy; advanced auditing and assurance services; and oil, gas, and energy accounting. Core courses include managerial economics; managerial finance; organizational behavior and theory; software-based business solutions; marketing management; and operations management.
Students learn methodologies and techniques for detecting occupational fraud, conducting investigations, and preparing investigation reports. They also complete an education in fraud auditing, assurance services for IT and e-commerce, and basic principles of oil and gas accounting.
After the program, students can pursue careers in forensic accounting, auditing management, financial analysis, and financial reporting management. The course also prepares students for the CPA exam.
| Location: Corpus Christi, TX |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
Carlow University offers a wealth of online MBA programs, including a concentration in fraud and forensics. Applicants do not need to submit GMAT or GRE scores, but they must have at least two years of experience. Other admissions materials include a resume, a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, and a bachelor’s degree.
This unique online MBA program in fraud and forensics has instruction in business writing; advances in IT management; strategic analysis; decision-making; management organization and change; marketing management; business analytics; economics; and financial analysis and planning. Additionally, the concentration courses include white-collar crime; fraud prevention and ethics; and the legal elements of fraud.
Graduates of the program will be prepared for roles such as fraud prevention managers, fraud examiners, forensic audit experts, prevention analysts, financial services professionals, financial investigators, and forensic accountants.
| Location: Pittsburgh, PA |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
American University’s Kogod School of Business offers an online MBA program with a concentration in finance that prepares students for essential roles in governance, corporate finance, and risk management. The program starts in October, January, April, and July. GMAT and GRE scores are not required for admission.
The 48-credit curriculum includes many core business courses such as business law, ethics, and governance; managerial accounting and operations management; managerial economics; strategic thinking for decisions; and managerial statistics. Students who select finance as their concentration can opt for courses such as forensic accounting; financial statement analysis; business intelligence; and investment analysis and portfolio management.
A distinctive feature of this program is that students attend at least two immersions (three or four days each), one for each year of the program. In these immersions, students work closely with professors and classmates outside of the online environment. They also enjoy the opportunity to hear from business leaders and soak in the local culture of their host city.
| Location: Washington DC |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Format: Online with two immersions |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
An MBA in accounting from Indiana Tech focuses on two fields: government/non-profit accounting and fraud examination. Prospective students with a GPA of at least 2.5 and two years of significant work experience can apply to this program. The accounting-specific courses include communication for accountants; fraud examination; and government and not-for-profit accounting. The program comprises 36 credits.
The program also includes six credits of CPA review from Becker Professional Education, preparing students for the exam. Students develop an in-depth understanding of forensic accounting procedures and learn how to detect and prevent specific types of fraud. In addition to preparing students to investigate fraud, the program also consists of core courses in executive leadership; economic decision-making for managers; accounting and finance decision-making for managers; marketing and innovation; statistical learning and analytics; and operations and technology management.
The program opens doors to FBI or US Postal Inspector Service leadership roles. Graduates will also be prepared for numerous paths, such as becoming Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) or Certified Government Auditing Professionals (CGAP).
| Location: Fort Wayne, IN |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: 15 to 24 months |
Featured Related Programs in Accounting Fraud & Forensics
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor's in accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting and fraud examination. This program is designed for those interested in both accounting and investigative work. It was fully revised in 2022 to align with the changes in the 2024 CPA exam and includes content relevant to the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam.
The curriculum covers crucial topics such as auditing, detection and prevention of fraudulent financial statements, and interview techniques/legal aspects of fraud. With multiple term starts throughout the year, students can complete their degrees at their own pace with full online accessibility. Notably, SNHU provides one of the lowest tuition rates in the nation.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: Four years |
Purdue Global offers an online bachelor of science in accounting designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in areas such as economics, finance, management, law, information systems, quantitative methods, taxation, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The program, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, includes hands-on learning experiences and allows students to choose from concentrations in public accountancy, tax accountancy, managerial accountancy, or auditing/forensic accountancy.
The curriculum is developed by experienced professionals, enabling students to earn credits for prior learning and work experience. Graduates are well-prepared for certification exams like the certified public accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA) exams. Additionally, Purdue Global offers flexible learning options, generous transfer credit policies, and personalized support to help students meet their academic and career objectives.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: Four years |
The University of Scranton offers a fully online master of accountancy (MAcc) program through its AACSB-accredited Kania School of Management. Designed for flexibility, the program enables students to balance personal and professional commitments while gaining advanced skills in accounting. The curriculum includes courses such as contemporary managerial accounting topics, effective accounting communication, and accounting ethics, with specializations in forensic accounting and data analytics.
Students benefit from access to the university's professional alumni council, ensuring coursework is updated to reflect industry needs. Additionally, the program prepares students for CPA licensure and the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) test. Graduates emerge well-equipped with critical soft skills in communication, critical thinking, and leadership, making them highly competitive in various sectors, including business, healthcare, and government.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Format: Online |
| Expected Time to Completion: One year |
Forensic Accounting MBA Career Outlook & Salary
The career outlook for forensic accountants from 2022 to 2032 is highly promising, driven by increasing demand for financial transparency and the need to combat fraud. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), the employment of accountants and auditors, including forensic accountants, is projected to grow by about 4 percent over the decade, reflecting a steady demand for skilled professionals, adding 67,400 new positions. The median annual salary for this profession is $79,880.
Forensic accountants can expect competitive salaries, with PayScale (2024) reporting an average annual salary of around $77,557, with potential for higher earnings based on experience, certifications, and specific job roles. Those who achieve certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can command even higher salaries and have greater career advancement opportunities.
The combination of robust job growth and attractive compensation makes forensic accounting a compelling career choice for individuals interested in finance and investigative work.
