Essential Information
Students pursuing Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) programs in criminal justice, accounting and business administration most commonly choose to minor in fraud examination. Fraud examination programs cover finance, white-collar crimes, ethics, justice studies, management and current fraud issues in society. After completing the program, students can obtain professional fraud examiner credentials through an examination and also pursue graduate study in the field.
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Bachelor's Degree with a Minor in Fraud Examination
The interdisciplinary nature of fraud examination coursework can include courses in criminology, law, microeconomics, finance, psychology and other areas. It is also advisable that students take courses in accounting, economics, business or criminal justice for background knowledge.
Students must pass their classes with a grade of C or better, and minimum GPA requirements to stay in the program range from 2.00-2.75.
Common minor focus courses may include:
- Advanced microeconomics
- Economic crimes
- Fraud examination and the law
- White-collar criminal activity in society
- Introductory financial accounting
Certification and Continuing Education
Graduates of a bachelor's degree program with a minor in fraud examination may choose to utilize their skills in a fraud examination career. The Associate of Certified Fraud Examiners offers education and training in the anti-fraud field. It also administers the Certified Fraud Examiner credential.
Students may also consider a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a fraud examination emphasis or a graduate certificate in fraud examination; both typically require a bachelor's degree prior to admission.
Employment Prospects and Salary Info
Fraud examination is a growing field, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students may consider working in the private or public sectors as:
- Criminal investigators
- Forensic accountants
- Fraud detectives
- Government accountants
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't report data specifically for forensic accountants, it does report job and salary figures for general auditors and accountants. The BLS notes that employment opportunities for professionals in this field are expected to grow 11% from 2014-2024. Accountants and auditors earned median salaries of $67,190 as of 2015.
In order to have the expertise to pursue a career in fraud examination, bachelor's degree students can add a minor in the subject to their usual studies; and getting certified can further improve credentials.
