Specialized Forensic Accounting Certificate

Overview

Existing and potential CFF candidates are directed to our news brief and on-demand webinar links to learn more about product replacements as the CFF Credential emerges anew with a Global Makeover in 2022!

What awaits? Distinction. Pride. Opportunity.

Because each forensic accounting engagement is unique with its facts and objectives, the forensic accountant needs to use appropriate specialized forensic knowledge, tools and procedures during the engagement. A basic knowledge of each area is helpful. However, no one practitioner would be expected to know them all, but rather would seek expert assistance where necessary. Through narration by industry subject matter experts and application exercises, this certificate program covers unique areas of a forensic engagement including bankruptcy, business/individual/intellectual property damages, mergers and acquisitions, family law, divorce and more.

This certificate program was developed to assist you in customizing your professional development goals in one of the following ways:

Acquiring new skills and earning a certificate in a growing practice area

Learn new skills, enhance your existing competency or take a deep dive into this growing practice area. You'll gain new comprehension that will allow you to demonstrate your proficiency and stand out among your peers. Earn the certificate by completing the required learning and passing the Specialized Forensics Knowledge exam. Once you complete the Specialized Forensic Accounting Certificate, if you haven't already done so, consider earning the Core Forensic Accounting Certificate.

Beginning the pathway to completing the CFF Credential

Use the certificate program as a more flexible way to earn your CFF Credential. The Specialized Forensic Accounting Certificate program covers topics found in the Content Specification Outline (CSO) for the CFF Credential exam. Successful completion of the Specialized and the Core Forensic Accounting Certificate program will fulfill the education requirements needed to earn the CFF credential*. The flexibility in earning both of these certificates saves you approximately 20 CPE hours versus having to earn 75 CPE credits if you opt to not utilize these programs.

*Earning both the Core & Specialized Forensic Accounting Certificates does not indicate you are certified in financial forensics. You must still pass the separate CFF exam, and meet the 1,000-hour experience and other credential requirements to earn your CFF credential. To learn more about CFF Credential including the requirements, the application process, and how to maintain the credential visit aicpa.org/cff.

Earning CPE credits to maintain your existing CFF Credential

Existing CFF Credential holders can use the education to earn CPE credits needed to maintain the credential. You can customize your learning experience using any of the individual course modules listed below.

The online education will be available in your account for one year from the date you purchase it.

Upon successfully completing the learning, your certificate will be awarded in the form of a digital badge to be proudly displayed anywhere on the web-a personal blog, a social network like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Mozilla Open Badges, a biographical page on a company website, or an online resume.

Courses included:

Bankruptcy - Part 1 and Part 2
Electronic Data Analysis
Business Damages Concepts and Calculations
Individual Damages Concepts and Calculations - Part 1 and Part 2
Intellectual Property Damages Concepts and Calculations - Part 1 and Part 2
Mergers & Acquisitions
Family Law and Divorce Engagements - Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
Financial Statement Fraud, Corruption, and Asset Misappropriation - Part 1 and Part 2
Fraud Provisions and Engagements - Part 1 and Part 2
Valuation Practices in Forensic Engagements - Part 1 and Part 2

Highlights

Key Topics

Bankruptcy
Role of technology in forensic accounting engagements
Gathering evidence and data recovery
Measuring and calculating business damages
Lost earnings and fringe benefits
Patents, copyrights, and trademarks
Forensic accountants' roles in mergers and acquisitions
Consideration of fraud at the entity level
Detecting and investigating fraud
Role of Forensic Accountants in Family Law

Prerequisites

Foundational knowledge of forensic accounting

Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Differentiate between the distinct types of bankruptcies.
Determine the applicability of specific laws and deadlines set by the bankruptcy court and the IRS, including recent developments related thereto.
Recall and apply key procedures to acquire and protect data while ensuring its integrity before beginning the analysis process.
Identify the contexts and types of matters where business damages arise.
Identify and apply the jurisdictional standards and guiding principles applicable to calculating damages involving individuals.
Identify the issues and pitfalls associated with the infringement of copyrights and trademarks or the misappropriation of trade secrets.
Apply guidelines for calculating commonly used remedies of damages associated with each type of intellectual property.
Identify examples of patents and laws governing patents.
Differentiate between a merger and an acquisition and the various structuring options in each.
Analyze the risks associated with fraud and its economic impact to an organization.
Compare the different roles of a forensic accountant in family law cases.
Identify methods for asset valuation and recognize their importance in a divorce case.