Forensic Accountancy

Forensic Accountancy

 

Your Path to Excellence

Your path to protecting integrity, uncovering truth, and fighting financial crime

Are you passionate about detecting corruption, financial statement fraud, and economic crime? Do you want to develop the skills to investigate complex financial misconduct and contribute meaningfully to the protection of both public and private sector resources?

At North-West University (NWU), our Programme for Forensic Accountancy empowers students with the expertise needed to lead financial investigations in today’s fast-paced and complex world. Backed by a dedicated team of experts – including chartered accountants, legal professionals, interpersonal- and forensic IT specialist, this multidisciplinary programme equips students to tackle financial crime with confidence.

Why choose Forensic Accountancy at the NWU?

  • Multidisciplinary approach: Integrates accounting, law, investigation techniques, digital forensics, and interpersonal skills to prepare you for real-world financial investigations.
  • Industry-aligned content: Developed in consultation with top forensic professionals, regulatory bodies, and industry experts.
  • Real case exposure: Engage with local and international case studies, including Steinhoff, Madoff, and South Africa’s State Capture.
  • Professional preparation: Designed for aspiring forensic accountants, auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals aiming to qualify with the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners (ICFP).
  • Strong academic support: Benefit from expert lectures, digital learning tools, and industry guest speakers.

Core competencies you'll develop

  • Accounting & auditing expertise - Analyse financial statements, identify evidence to investigate fraudulent transactions.
  • Investigative techniques- Conduct interviews, gather evidence, perform lifestyle audits, and apply OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence).
  • Digital forensics & data analytics - Detect fraud in large datasets and recover digital evidence from various systems and devices.
  • Communication & report writing - Prepare objective forensic reports and communicate findings clearly to legal teams, clients, and courts.
  • Litigation support - Compile expert witness reports, testify credibly, and apply civil and criminal procedures to support legal outcomes.

Academic offering

NWU is the only university in South Africa offering a dedicated undergraduate and postgraduate programme in Forensic Accountancy.

Undergraduate degree:

BCom Forensic Accountancy

  • Duration: 3 years (full-time)
  • Campus: Potchefstroom
  • Curriculum Code: 5DDH01
  • Admission: APS 36 | Mathematics Level 5 (60–69%) | Language Level 5 (60–69%)

Honours degree:

BCom Honours in Forensic Accountancy

  • Duration: 1 year (full-time)
  • Admission: Successful completion of BCom in Forensic Accountancy degree

Postgraduate pathway

Further your studies with a Master of Commerce (MCom) or PhD in Forensic Accountancy. We also offer short learning programmes and continue to contribute actively to academic research in the field.

Accreditation & Professional bodies

Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners

For more information visit their website:

https://www.icfp.co.za/

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), South African Chapter

For more information visit their website:

http://www.acfesa.co.za/

     

South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Please note: The BCom Forensic Accountancy is also accredited with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) if certain additional modules are successfully completed.

https://www.saica.co.za/

   

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

The BCom Forensic Accountancy degree grants students the opportunity to claim exemptions for up to nine foundation level exams from ACCA, if certain additional modules are successfully completed. For more information visit their website:

https://www.accaglobal.com/africa/en.htm

 ALP

Career opportunities

Graduates are highly sought-after across multiple sectors:

  • Professional Firms: PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG
  • Corporates: Nedbank, FNB, Sasol, Investec
  • Legal practices: Bowmans, Webber Wentzel
  • Forensic firms: Nexus Forensics, Salient, Ligwa, Abacus, Stoneturn
  • Regulatory bodies: Financial Intelligence Centre, Special Investigating Unit (SIU), FSCA, South African Reserve Bank

 

Short courses

Our short courses are designed to equip learners with essential knowledge and skills to prevent and combat commercial crime effectively. Each course spans six months in contact and distance learning formats. There are no registration fees, and all study materials are included.

NB! Please note that these short courses are not degree qualifications. 

 

 

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