Forensic Accounting Degree Program: Become a Money Sleuth

If the idea of high-tech number crunching to nab a white-collar criminal is potentially exciting, a forensic accounting degree program can take you there. This online degree program is a thrilling specialty in the accounting industry that offers you the opportunity to become a true money sleuth.

Career Options in Forensic Accounting

As forensic accounting is a career in itself, the variety in the profession comes from the various opportunities for employment of these professionals. They include:

• Companies. Businesses in virtually every industry hire these professionals to keep their books legal and compliant with federal, state, and local legislation.
• Private Practices and Firms. Forensic accountants in these organizations are called in to conduct investigations as objective, third-party researchers.
• Government Agencies. Perhaps the most aggressive employer of forensic accountants, government workers often concentrate on taxes.

Forensic Accounting: Employment Outlook and Salary Potential

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of accountants and auditors is projected to increase by 18 percent over the decade through 2016; that's faster than the national average for all occupations. And according to PayScale, graduates with an education in forensic accounting can potentially earn a median annual salary of $57,219 in their first year. With twenty or more years of experience, potential salary jumps to $98,264.

Online Degree Program Coursework in Forensic Accounting

The online degree program in forensic accounting is based in a rich combination of business and finance. Typical coursework includes micro and macroeconomics, tax operations, and forensic science. The common route into the profession begins with an undergraduate degree in accounting or similar field, followed by graduate studies in forensic accounting.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accountants and Auditors
PayScale

Kelly Richardson has over fifteen years of creative and technical writing experience. He teaches secondary Honors-level English and writes ad copy for a variety of clients in industries such as medicine, technology, and education.