Forensic Accounting Certificate

Upcoming Forensic Accounting Informational Webinars

Attend one of the following free interactive, live webinars to ask questions, get answers and apply. For more information about the forensic accounting webinars or to register for one of the webinars, please click here.

Forensic Accounting Profession Determines the Need for Education

The School of Accounting began a new graduate specialty certificate in forensic accounting in January 2009. The move followed the authorization in May 2008 by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) of a specialty credential in forensic accounting: the "certified financial forensic" (CFF). Explicit in the requirements for CPAs to qualify for the CFF is continuing professional education, and GGU is ready to provide the technical knowledge needed by both attorneys and accountants working in the forensic field.

Experts Design GGU's Forensics Curriculum

An advisory board of subject-matter experts designed the forensic accounting curriculum which includes courses in bankruptcy and insolvency, economic damages, fraud investigations, stakeholder disputes, valuation and lost profits. CPAs looking for forensic accounting expertise and attorneys who need to know the vocabulary of forensics, as well as what questions to ask during complex discovery and litigation, are both expected as students in the forensic accounting certificate program. Forensic courses will be eligible for CPE and MCLE credit, as well.

Academic Requirements and Course Work

A total of 18 units of forensic accounting courses must be completed at Golden Gate University with a B average (3.0 grade point average) or better to earn the certificate. Please note that some courses taken as part of the forensic accounting certificate will have prerequisites. These prerequisites must be satisfied (through transfer or equivalent course work or through courses taken at Golden Gate University) before the certificate can be completed.

REQUIRED COURSE (3 units)
ACCTG 372 Introduction to Financial Forensic Accounting (3 units)

ELECTIVE COURSES (Any combination for a total of 15 units)
Elective courses will be taught by experts in each topic. One-unit courses will be offered over a five-week period, so that three may be taken consecutively within one trimester.

ACCTG 311 Fraud Auditing (3 units )
ACCTG 373 Forensic Accounting in Family Law (3 units)
ACCTG 375A Economic Damages (1 unit)
ACCTG 375C Forensic Valuation (1 unit)
ACCTG 375D Bankruptcy and Insolvency (1 unit)
ACCTG 375G Construction Claims (1 unit)
ACCTG 375I Lost Wages and Employment Litigation (1 unit)
ACCTG 375J Disputes in Mergers & Acquisitions (1 unit)
ACCTG 375K Intellectual Property (1 unit)
ACCTG 375L Financial Statement Investigations (1 unit)
ACCTG 375N Complex Discovery and Data Management (1 unit)
ACCTG 375O Expert Testimony (1 unit)
ACCTG 375P Role of the Expert and the Expert Report (1 unit)
ACCTG 375R Allegations of Audit Failure (1 unit)

Enrollment Information

Admissions information, including the online application process for the certificate in forensic accounting, is available here. If you would like to take just one or several forensic accounting courses, but do not want to complete all of the requirements for the certificate, please register for class by using open enrollment. Information is available regarding the academic calendar, course schedules, class descriptions (including prerequisites), tuition, registration and assistance paying for your courses. Any questions or requests for additional information may be directed to the School of Accounting at 415-442-6559 or accounting@ggu.edu.

Forensic Accounting Advisory Board

Burr, Pilger Mayer
Curtis Burr (BA 74, MBA 76)

Glenn & Dawson
Don Glenn

Hemming Morse, Inc. CPAs
Vanessa Hill
Monica Ip
Matthew Lombardi
Greg Regan
Paul Regan (MS 79)
Caroline Van Alst (MAC 02)

Matson, Driscoll & Damico
Dixon Grier

Navigant Consulting
Mark Wescott Marcus Wong

Seiler LLP
Maree Gannoway

Donald Kintzer

Stuart Weil, JD, CPA

Advisor Paul Regan (MS 79) said, "I am so pleased the GGU School of Accounting is leading the profession by establishing this certificate. I have been happy to be involved in its design and implementation, as have others from my firm. We are excited that the specialized knowledge needed in forensics will be available at Golden Gate University."