Forensic Accountancy

Forensic Accountancy

 

 

Your Path to Excellence

Uncover the truth in numbers with our Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Forensic Accountancy. Accredited by the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) [certain terms apply for SAICA and CIMA], this unique programme in South Africa prepares you for a career as a forensic accountant or fraud examiner.

Forensic accountants play a vital role in preventing, detecting, and investigating commercial crimes such as fraud, corruption, and money laundering. This programme will equip you with specialist skills and knowledge in accounting, criminal and civil law, investigations, and IT.

Explore the intersection of accounting and investigative techniques to detect and prevent financial fraud and misconduct. Gain expertise in data analysis, auditing, and legal procedures. Learn to conduct regulatory investigations, including money laundering and bribery, as well as criminal and civil investigations. Develop strategies to prevent and detect commercial crimes through fraud risk assessment and forensic data analysis.

Typical tasks include:

  • Obtain and review financial documents to identify inaccuracies or fraud
  • Analyse financial data and trace discrepancies
  • Quantify revenue losses and damages from contract breaches
  • Conduct and implement fraud risk management programmes
  • Conduct interviews with suspects and witnesses
  • Provide litigation support and present findings to be used as trial evidence

Join us and become a guardian of financial integrity and justice.

Core subjects

Modules include but are not limited to:

  • Accountancy, Auditing, Tax and supportive modules on the level of Chartered Accountancy.
  • Law modules (e.g. Criminal Law, Law of Criminal and Civil Procedure, Law of Evidence, Labour Law).
  • Forensic investigative modules.

Degree options

BCom Forensic Accountancy

  • Degree Duration: 3 years, full time
  • Offered on the following campuses Potchefstroom [P] 
  • Curriculum code: 5DDH01

 

Admission requirements

BCom Forensic Accountancy

  • APS: 36
  • Mathematics: Level 5 (60-69%) 
  • Language at level 5 (60-69%)

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

Career opportunities

  • Private practice

  • Internal forensic divisions at corporates (banks, insurance, etc.)

  • Government institutions and regulatory bodies

  • Forensic divisions of auditing, consulting or legal firms

 

Post-graduate Studies

Post-graduate studies in Forensic Accountancy includes

  • BCom Honours Degree 
  • These post-graduate degrees are offered at Potchefstroom [P]

Download our Honours and PGDA brochure here

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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