Students
ACCG8047 – Fundamentals of Forensic Accounting
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stefan Williams
Professor
Rahat Munir
Rahat Munir
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ACCG611 or ACCG6011 or (admission to MAdvProfAcc or MCyberSec or GradCertForAccg or GradDipForAccg or MForAccgFinCri)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines issues relevant to forensic accounting and the role played by the forensic accountant in the legal and business context. It covers various techniques of financial fraud prevention, investigation and detection. Students will develop an understanding of the motivations for, and symptoms of, financial fraud. Topics include processes of evidence collection and evaluation, legal report writing, interviewing witnesses, fraud prevention, and an introduction to financial and data analysis processes. By the conclusion of the unit students will have gained essential forensic accounting skills. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Explore the role and character of forensic accounting and its relationship to the legal system including the legal, ethical and professional obligations of forensic accountants.
- ULO2: Appraise the nature of, and concepts relevant to, civil, criminal and administrative procedure and articulate the role of forensic accounting in the calculation of commercial and economic damages, and the compiling of business valuation reports.
- ULO3: Examine and investigate indicators of fraudulent activity and demonstrate knowledge of investigative processes and techniques, and their application.
- ULO4: Analyse techniques in evidence collection and evaluation and develop the ability to present the results of an investigation in a legal context.
- ULO5: Review and evaluate the role of governance structures, internal controls and compliance policies for the prevention of financial fraud.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Prescribed Textbook:
Rufus R J, Miller L S, and Hahn W - Forensic Accounting - Global Edition, 2015, Pearson.
Other resources:
Crain, M., Hopwood, W., Pacini, C., Young G. 2015. Essentials of forensic accounting. Wiley
ACIC, Serious Crime in Australia, December 2017,
https://www.acic.gov.au/publications/intelligence-products/serious-financial-crime-australia-2017
The World Bank, Islamic Finance Brief, March 2015, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialsector/brief/islamic-finance
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, www.acfe.com
Students should be ready to allocate at least 150 hours during session (in total) to ACCG8047. This includes all classes, assessment (estimates for assessment allocation are set out above under “Assessment Tasks”), personal study and other learning activities.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Unit Schedule
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Topics |
Readings |
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Week 1 |
The field and practice of forensic accounting • Introduction • The legal, regulatory, professional environment, and ethics • Professional roles of fraud and forensic accounting professionals |
Rufus 1, 2
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Week 2 |
Fraud-related services • Types of fraud • Fraud detection, prevention, deterrence, investigation, remediation • Fraudulent financial reporting |
Rufus 6, 7 |
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Week 3 |
Fraud-related services • Misappropriation of assets |
Rufus 6, 7 |
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Week 4 |
Engagement management • Planning and managing an investigation • Case management and communication • Reporting and closure |
Crain 7 Rufus 3 |
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Week 5 |
Evidence collection • Types of evidence • Documents • Interviewing • Evidence management
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Rufus 4 |
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Week 6 |
Transforming Data into Evidence - Data Analysis • Financial transactions / Islamic finance • The role of data analysis • Data sources • Data analysis tools |
Rufus 8 |
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Week 7 |
Financial analysis • Context of financial reporting • Foundations of financial analysis • Methods of financial analysis |
Rufus 5 |
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Week 8 |
Transforming Data into Evidence - Data and Digital Analysis • Descriptive statistics • Methods for displaying data • Money laundering |
Rufus 8, 9 |
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Week 9 |
Evidence analysis • Corporate intelligence • Big data • Digital forensics for accountants |
Rufus 4, 5 Crain 11 |
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Week 10 |
Commercial and economic damages • Damages litigation • Damages calculation |
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Week 11 |
Business valuation • Valuation fundamentals • Financial analysis • Business valuation reports |
Rufus 11 |
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Week 12 |
Accountant as an expert witness • Legal frameworks • Litigation support from accountants • Forensic accountants and the court |
Rufus 10 |
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Week 13 |
Special topics: • Cyber crime • Crypto currencies
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Rufus 12 |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
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Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Late Submission of Assessments
Late Submission(s): Where assessment is to be submitted through Turnitin, late assessment must also, where applicable, be submitted through Turnitin. No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission incurs a 20% penalty). Late submissions will not be accepted after solutions have been discussed and/or made available. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved. Note: applications for Special Consideration Policy must be made within 5 (five) business days of the due date and time.