MSc
Forensic Accounting (DL)
Gain highly developed skills for forensic accounting in a distance learning format
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Through the application of professional forensic accounting tools, models, techniques and knowledge, you will gain a comprehensive range of skills covering the three core areas of forensic accounting – litigation support, expert witnessing and fraud examination. You’ll learn to apply your specialised accounting skills in a range of areas including business valuation, assessment of economic damages, proceeds of crime, fraud and money laundering.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Investigate real-life case studies and learn the processes involved in compiling your own case
- Participate in live web-based chat forums to discuss your work with lecturers and other students
- Tap in to our Library’s vast selection of electronic resources, which can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection
What opportunities might it lead to?
One of the fastest growing areas of accounting, there is an increasing global demand for specialists with forensic accounting knowledge and skills. Our course therefore aims to provide a progressive, challenging and stimulating framework of study that will equip you to work in this field.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- audit and assurance
- taxation
- forensic accounting
- management accounting
- financial analysis
- treasury
The University encourages the use of technology to improve and support students' learning, and the lecturers are always ready to help us.
Adiodun Odunowo, forensic accounting student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 3 years part time distance learning
- Entry
An upper second-class honours degree or equivalent qualification and/or equivalent professional experience.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in all individual components, or equivalent.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £1,670 in year 1 and £1,670 plus inflation per year in years 2 and 3
International students: £1,670 in year 1 and £1,670 plus inflation per year in years 2 and 3
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- pbs.postgradadmissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8200 - Department
- Portsmouth Business School
Structure & Teaching
You will study a total of five units which consider a range of exciting topics such as corporate integrity and management control, fraud and forensic analysis, cybercrime and interviewing and testimony. You will learn how to investigate a case, gather evidence, prepare expert reports and provide evidence. The course then concludes with your dissertation where you’ll have the flexibility to specialise in an area of your choice such as fraud examination, litigation consulting or expert witnessing to name a few.
Here are the units you will study:
- Financial Analysis and Modelling: You will gain a critical awareness of the financial environment from both an accounting and finance perspective. You will learn to understand, analyse and interpret company reports, examine the role of the regulatory framework for corporate reporting and the stock market, and explore the pricing of securities. You will also cover the key areas of decision and risk analysis, alongside the process of decision making, key statistical concepts, and selecting and using appropriate analytical software tools as aids to decision making.
- Expert Witnessing and Dispute Resolution: You will be able to examine the full range of formal and informal methods for dispute resolution within common law, and civil and criminal legal systems, whilst also developing an understanding of the legal and practical protocols alongside the procedural knowledge and etiquette governing the appointment and testimony of expert witnesses. You will also develop a clear understanding of the legal basis and critical elements required to construct an expert report for submission in civil and criminal proceedings.
- Financial Forensics and Investigation: You will gain an understanding of the need for an holistic approach in the investigatory models applied so that you can develop a critical, questioning and evaluative approach in assessing financial data. You will consider the primary evidential elements with a particular emphasis on gathering information from interviews and examining key issues and innovative approaches.
- Financial Crime and the Law: You will focus on an appreciation and understanding of the wide variety of financial crime and how the current regulatory framework and crime control statutes have developed to deal with them. Features of corporate integrity and management control systems will additionally instil an understanding of the development and needs of corporate governance in the context of the control theories of the firm.
- Dissertation: This is a 15,000-word research project that combines a review of previous research undertaken in your chosen topic with your own data collection and analysis. This provides a unique opportunity for you to demonstrate the subject knowledge you have acquired, as well as your analytical abilities and problem-solving skills which are highly regarded by potential employers. During this phase, your research will be supervised by an experienced academic with expertise in your chosen topic area.
Teaching and Assessment
Despite its distance learning mode, this course is still extremely student focused. You will be given resources, materials, help and guidance to complete your studies to your full ability. Using our virtual learning environment you can participate in group discussions with other students in a friendly, yet challenging online class environment. Plus real-time, text-based 'chat sessions' with lecturers will ensure you receive all the support you need throughout the course.
How are you assessed?
You are assessed in a variety of ways to reflect the individual topics. Our approaches to learning, assessment and feedback are varied and constructive, to help you build the personal management and employability skills that are essential for a fulfilling career.
Facilities & Features
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK is a great way to enhance your academic performance
Computing
Great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities
International Office
For our international students we have a dedicated team of advisers
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including thousands of online ejournals
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK will help you become a successful university student. Our workshops are designed to improve a number of essential academic skills from essay writing and understanding plagiarism to revision and exam techniques. This is a great way to enhance your academic performance.
Computing
We have invested heavily in open access computer suites across campus. Great working spaces with high-spec PCs (multimedia and CAD), Macs and printing facilities. More specialised software and equipment is also available, such as large format printing, audio-visual equipment and language laboratories. Should you need any assistance, there are specialist technicians on hand to support you in using the facilities.
International Office
For our international students we have a dedicated team of advisers to support you as you settle into life in Portsmouth and at the University. The role of the International Office is to provide you with extensive support to make your time here as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, enabling you to focus on your studies. One of the team almost certainly has direct experience of your culture and may even speak your language.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This course is an ideal route into a wide range of professional careers in litigation support, expert witnessing and fraud examination. On graduating you will be qualified for a number of roles in financial regulatory authorities, law firms, accountancy practices and law enforcement agencies. We liaise closely with employers and professional bodies to ensure that all our courses are relevant to their business and recruitment needs. Our overall aim is to help you find a fulfilling and financially rewarding job once you graduate.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- management accountant
- financial analyst
- internal auditor
- stockbroker
- account manager
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.