Best Online Forensic Accounting Degree Programs

If you’re good with numbers and like solving mysteries, forensic accounting might be your calling. Forensic accounting specialists combine investigative techniques and financial analysis to detect, prosecute, and prevent financial crimes. Before setting up shop as Sherlock Holmes with a spreadsheet, though, you’ll need to learn the tricks of the trade. Online forensic accounting programs, your first step into the world of financial justice, offer flexible and affordable opportunities to break into the industry.

We’ve identified the best forensic accounting programs nationwide to get you started on your school search. Check back for our full rankings later in 2023, but start investigating now with our top three picks as well as use this guide to learn all the ins and outs of a forensic accounting degree.

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About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
• 1

  University of Northwestern Ohio

  Lima, OH

  Private not-for-profit $$

  The Bachelor’s in Forensic Accounting at the University of Northwestern Ohio prepares you for a career in fraud prevention and otherwise combatting white-collar crime. Once enrolled, you’ll study accounting from the first semester, even as you complete your general education requirements make up of electives you can choose. This degree also prepares you to sit for your Certified Fraud Examiner exam. Transfer students are encouraged to apply, including those with an assoicate degree.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s in Forensic Accounting

  • Credits: 180
  • Length: Four years
  • Cost: $260/credit
  • Mode: In-person
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

  Online Programs

  1

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  24/1

What You’ll Learn in an Online Forensic Accounting Degree Program

A quality forensic accounting bachelor’s degree program should accomplish two things. First, it should equip you with a broad base of skills and knowledge to succeed in entry-level and mid-level accounting jobs in a range of specialties right after graduation. Second, it should prepare you to ace your professional certification exams. Many forensic accounting graduates choose to sit for their Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) or Certified Forensic Accounting Expert (CFAE) credential, and those hoping to excel in these difficult exams benefit from the specialized curriculum of a forensic accounting program.

As you research potential colleges, you’ll see a wide range of courses and requirements across programs that aim to accomplish both of these goals. Some of the common topics that emerge among the most popular forensic accounting programs are described below along with what to expect as you progress through the program.

Admissions: Getting into a Top Online Forensic Accounting Program

Fortunately, you can apply to top forensic accounting programs online without jumping through a ton of hoops. Although different programs hold applicants to different standards, most require the same basic components.

• Application: Your application is an opportunity to stand out. Most schools require an essay or series of short essay questions to help get a feel for who you are as a person and your potential as a student. Use this space to highlight your achievements and the skills you bring to the program. Some applications also ask for financial information or a diversity statement. While this information is personal, schools use it to help them build financial aid and scholarship packages for applicants.
• GPA: Many schools state a minimum required GPA. For example, future accountants at The University of Toledo must demonstrate a GPA of at least 2.8. Other schools, including prestigious ones like Northeastern University and Davenport University, evaluate students holistically and don’t have rigid GPA standards.
• Academic Records: Without exception, every school requires an official transcript from your high school and any college you’ve attended. For accounting programs, admissions staff are particularly interested in your mathematics and related course grades. Transcripts are easy to send but expect to pay a fee for every school you send them to.
• Application Fees: Many schools require a fee to consider your application and to cover the cost of staffing an admissions committee. These fees can add up, but some schools offer admission fee waivers to low-income or in-state students. Other schools, like Southern New Hampshire University, have done away with their application fees to make the admissions process more inclusive.

Some programs also ask for standardized test scores or letters of recommendation. These application components used to be staples in the application process but have become significantly less popular recently.

Online Forensic Accounting Degree Costs and Financial Aid

As a future accountant, your tuition budget has probably already crossed your mind. Before you commit to a program, you know it’s essential to understand what you can afford and the total cost of your program, including fees and extra expenses. Remember that a more expensive program doesn’t necessarily mean better quality education. As long as you attend a properly accredited school, you can expect high academic standards. However, more expensive schools may offer better student support, smaller class sizes, and more opportunities to specialize. 

The type of school you attend can also affect tuition prices. Public universities, which are funded using taxpayer dollars, are not-for-profit with tuition only reflecting the cost of running the school. Most public universities also offer lower in-state tuition to residents, and some schools extend the in-state price to all students. Private universities may or may not be for-profit organizations, and they are often more expensive than their public counterparts. However, with private non-profits, you can be sure that the bulk of your tuition is being reinvested into the quality of your education. 

To give you a feel for the cost of your forensic accounting degree, we’ve compiled tuition data from some high-quality online programs into the table below.

If you’re feeling some sticker shock, don’t panic just yet. There are scholarships and other financial aid available to make your tuition more affordable. Generally, school-based assistance is need-based or merit-based. Some schools require that you apply for scholarships, while others consider you automatically upon acceptance. The tuition and financial aid program at Concordia St. Paul is a good representation of the funding structures at most institutions. 

You can also look to external sources for tuition money. Industry organizations like the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, for example, fund scholarships for up-and-coming accountants like yourself. Our comprehensive guide to guide to financial aid has the information you need to get started on funding your education. 

FAQs About Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Accounting Online

• Are online forensic accounting degree programs offered completely online or are campus visits required?

  There are plenty of excellent forensic accounting programs with entirely online coursework. For the most part, online classes are asynchronous. This means you’ll still have deadlines to keep track of, but you won’t have to log in at a specific time to attend lectures. If you’re located near campus, though, you may be able to also attend classes in person through a hybrid program that allows you to mix and match class formats. Be sure to understand your school’s expectations for its hybrid program since some schools require that certain classes be taken on campus while others offer more freedom.

• What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting?

  Most forensic accounting students aspire to investigative accounting roles. After completing their professional certification, these students gravitate toward working in public accounting and consulting firms or governmental agencies. However, a bachelor’s in forensic accounting also often prepares you for a wide range of other accounting careers as well as for CPA exams. You can always seek additional preparation to pursue other certifications as well. Some of the job positions you’ll qualify for with a bachelor’s in forensic accounting include:

  • Forensic Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Risk Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Tax Examiner

• Is earning a forensic accounting degree worth it?

  If you’re interested in pursuing specialized accounting work and professional certifications, a specialty bachelor’s like one in forensic accounting is a great place to start because it prepares you for the workforce and your professional exams and makes sure you can hit the ground running when you graduate. In addition, your relevant background means you can jump right into mid-level careers related to auditing and research without having to work your way up the ladder. This means your work can be engaging and suit your interests right off the bat. A degree in forensic accounting also pays off in the literal sense since, nationally, auditors are in high demand and often obtain well-paid positions soon after graduation.

• What type of accreditation should an online forensic accounting degree have?

  Whatever school you attend must be certified by a Department of Education-backed accrediting organization. When a school is accredited, it means that an independent body has reviewed its curriculum, policies, and student services to ensure that they meet a standard of excellence. Attending an accredited school ensures that you receive a high-quality education that will be recognized by employers.

  As an aspiring accountant, there are program-level accreditations you should look for as well. These secondary certifications help maintain standards and curricula between accounting and business programs nationwide. The two most common program-level accreditors are the IACBE, which focuses on business schools more broadly, and the AACSB, which focuses specifically on accounting programs. Attending a program with one of these certifications ensures that you’ll be well-prepared for your professional certification exams and the job market.

• How long does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting?

  Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four years of full-time study. However, the timeline varies depending on the program and your availability. For example, if you intend to work full-time while earning your degree, you might not take on a full courseload each semester. In this case, it will take longer. On the other hand, some programs offer accelerated degrees with shorter semesters and year-round course availability. Students in these programs can graduate in as little as a year and a half.

Job and Salary Outlook with a Forensic Accounting Degree

Forensic accounting is an in-demand specialty. This means that once you enter the field, you can expect competitive salaries and high levels of job security. To gauge the employment outlook for forensic accountants, we’ve compiled the wage and job growth data for common job titles held by forensic accountants. The forecast is sunny overall, and, in some states, demand for forensic accountants far outpaces the national average.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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