Students
ACCG8047 – Fundamentals of Forensic Accounting
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stefan Williams
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ACCG611 or ACCG6011 or (admission to MAdvProfAcc or MCyberSec or GradCertForAccg or GradDipForAccg or MForAccgFinCri)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| 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.
General Assessment Information
Extensions / Penalties: Late assessments must also 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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Test | 10% | No | Week 6 |
| Assignment | 40% | No | Week 12 |
| Participation | 20% | No | Week 13 |
| Final Exam | 30% | No | University examination period |
Class Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 10%
The test will be held in class in the first half of the session. The test may include one, or a combination of, the following types of assessment: multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, short answer style questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
Assignment
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%
This assessment will require students to investigate and analyse an aspect of the unit and identify and communicate findings, exercise judgement and develop research capability. This is a group assignment and involves both a written submission not exceeding 2000 words and a group presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Examine and investigate indicators of fraudulent activity and demonstrate knowledge of investigative processes and techniques, and their application.
- Analyse techniques in evidence collection and evaluation and develop the ability to present the results of an investigation in a legal context.
- Review and evaluate the role of governance structures, internal controls and compliance policies for the prevention of financial fraud.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%
This assessment involves evidence of preparation for, participation in, and contribution to the class and may include presentations, questions or written exercises.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
- Examine and investigate indicators of fraudulent activity and demonstrate knowledge of investigative processes and techniques, and their application.
- Analyse techniques in evidence collection and evaluation and develop the ability to present the results of an investigation in a legal context.
- Review and evaluate the role of governance structures, internal controls and compliance policies for the prevention of financial fraud.
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 30%
A two-hour online examination (open book) will be held during the University Examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
- Examine and investigate indicators of fraudulent activity and demonstrate knowledge of investigative processes and techniques, and their application.
- Analyse techniques in evidence collection and evaluation and develop the ability to present the results of an investigation in a legal context.
- Review and evaluate the role of governance structures, internal controls and compliance policies for the prevention of financial fraud.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
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
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
|
|
Topics |
Readings |
|
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
|
|
Week 2 |
Fraud-related services • Types of fraud • Fraud detection, prevention, deterrence, investigation, remediation • Fraudulent financial reporting |
Rufus 6, 7 |
|
Week 3 |
Fraud-related services • Misappropriation of assets |
Rufus 6, 7 |
|
Week 4 |
Engagement management • Planning and managing an investigation • Case management and communication • Reporting and closure |
Crain 7 Rufus 3 |
|
Week 5 |
Evidence collection • Types of evidence • Documents • Interviewing • Evidence management
|
Rufus 4 |
|
Week 6 |
Transforming Data into Evidence - Data Analysis • Financial transactions / Islamic finance • The role of data analysis • Data sources • Data analysis tools |
Rufus 8 |
|
Week 7 |
Financial analysis • Context of financial reporting • Foundations of financial analysis • Methods of financial analysis |
Rufus 5 |
|
Week 8 |
Transforming Data into Evidence - Data and Digital Analysis • Descriptive statistics • Methods for displaying data • Money laundering |
Rufus 8, 9 |
|
Week 9 |
Evidence analysis • Corporate intelligence • Big data • Digital forensics for accountants |
Rufus 4, 5 Crain 11 |
|
Week 10 |
Commercial and economic damages • Damages litigation • Damages calculation |
|
|
Week 11 |
Business valuation • Valuation fundamentals • Financial analysis • Business valuation reports |
Rufus 11 |
|
Week 12 |
Accountant as an expert witness • Legal frameworks • Litigation support from accountants • Forensic accountants and the court |
Rufus 10 |
|
Week 13 |
Special topics: • Cyber crime • Crypto currencies
|
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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.