Course Level | 4 |
Study Method | Online |
Course Duration | 260 Hours |
Start Date | Ongoing |
Endorsed By | NCFE |
Pay in Instalment | Full Fee £ 221, Deposite £ 41, ( £ 15/month ) |
With the increasing level of prosecution for financial fraud, the demand for forensic accountants has been growing rapidly. STS Diploma in Forensic Accounting has been designed to provide knowledge, skills and professional insight necessary to handle the challenges of investigating fraud and other aspects of white collar crime and financial disputes.
How to become a forensic accountant course concentrates on the core skills required to identify, detect and prevent fraud. No previous knowledge in accounting is required to join this course. It means that forensic accounting qualifications is not restricted to chartered accountant. This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to practice in the area of investigative and forensic accounting.
This course consists of the following 12 units.
Unit 1 - Introduction to Forensic Accounting
In the first course unit, candidates are introduced to the role of the professional forensic accountant along with the primary responsibilities of accounting investigators and auditors. A variety of types of fraud are discussed, along with the fraud cycle and the various skills and disciplines required to become a professional forensic accountant.
Unit 2 - Crime and Economy
The second course unit moves on to the true cost of financial fraud, both in relation to specific businesses/organisations and society as a whole. A variety of common financial crimes are investigated, along with the core elements of effective fraud investigation.
Unit 3 - Psychology of The Fraudster
Course content then moves on to the profiling of those involved in fraudulent activities, bringing to light the traits and behaviours of those who commit fraud at both high and low levels. In addition, candidates also discover who it is that is most likely to be targeted by fraudsters.
Unit 4 - Fraud Detection Techniques
The fourth unit begins with an in-depth investigation of fraud detection techniques, incorporating a series of effective information gathering methods and fraud risk factors, along with professional analytical procedures and techniques. The concept of financial statement fraud is introduced, along with revenue recognition detection.
Unit 5 - The Investigative Process
Candidates explore the investigative process in Unit 5, which incorporates valuable insights on the gathering of intelligence, case planning, establishing goals and ultimately initiating a case. Case evaluation is also discussed, along with why it is that comprehensive planning is of such importance.
Unit 6 - Gathering Evidence
The sixth unit turns attention to evidence gathering, covering the various types of evidence that should be gathered, evidence created specifically by the forensic accountant, the various types of documents likely to be encountered along the way and how documentary evidence can be used to prove or disprove a case.
Unit 7 - Obtaining & Evaluating Non-Financial Evidence
In the seventh unit, additional evidence of a non-financial nature is introduced – specifically the implementation of interviews and how to effectively analyse official statements. Candidates learn how such evidence can be used in conjunction with financial evidence when looking to prove or disprove a case.
Unit 8 - Interviewing Financially Sophisticated Witnesses
Professional interview techniques form the core focus of Unit 8, which guides candidates through each important step of the interview process. Course content covers the purpose of the interview, how to plan a professional interview and ultimately how to implement an effective interview when dealing with financially sophisticated witnesses.
Unit 9 - Fraud Risk Assessment
Risk analysis and assessment enter the discussion in the ninth unit, which introduces candidates to a wide variety of risk assessment factors and best practices. Candidates learn how fraud risk prevention is preferable to combatting actual instances of fraud.
Unit 10 - Fraud Prevention
The theme of fraud prevention continues into Unit 10, which focuses more intensively on fraud policy and the enforcement of ethics. Candidates further investigate the effective methods for preventing fraud in a variety of settings.
Unit 11 - Computer Crimes
Cyber-crime forms the core focus of Unit 11, which outlines a variety of different types of cyber-data and crime, along with essential categorisations of computer crimes and associated theoretical teachings.
Unit 12 - Working in A Forensic Team
In the final unit of the course, candidates comprehensively investigate how to work within a forensic team. Course content covers how to cooperate with internal and external auditors, working towards a common goal and how to work in the company of other legally trained professionals, including lawyers.
At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from ABC Awards and Certa Awards and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).
The course has been endorsed under the ABC Awards and Certa Awards Quality Licence Scheme. This means that Certifications for Professional Development Limited (CPD) has undergone an external quality check to ensure that the organisation and the courses it offers, meet defined quality criteria. The completion of this course alone does not lead to a regulated qualification* but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills gained. The Learner Unit Summary may be used as evidence towards Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to progress your studies in this subject. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 4 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of demand/complexity involved in successful completion by the learner.
The course itself has been designed by Certifications for Professional Development Limited (CPD) to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. ABC Awards/Certa endorsement involves robust and rigorous quality audits by external auditors to ensure quality is continually met. A review of courses is carried out as part of the endorsement process.
ABC Awards and Certa Awards have long-established reputations for providing high quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. ABC Awards and Certa Awards combine over 180 years of expertise combined with a responsive, flexible and innovative approach to the needs of our customers.
Renowned for excellent customer service, and quality standards, ABC Awards and Certa Awards also offer regulated qualifications for all ages and abilities post-14; all are developed with the support of relevant stakeholders to ensure that they meet the needs and standards of employers across the UK.