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Course Syllabus

Master 2025/2026

Forensic accounting (Fraud Investigation)

Type: Elective course (Master of Business Analytics)
Delivered by: Master's Programmes Curriculum Support
Where: Faculty of Economic Sciences
When: 2 year, 2 module
Online hours: 20
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Sergei Grishunin
Language: English
ECTS credits: 3
Contact hours: 8

Course Syllabus

Full SyllabusAsk Question

Abstract

In the recent years, the number of fraud-related incidents has been significantly increased. This is especially true for fraud committed in the process of preparing financial reports. The course is included into the professional optional part of the online degree Master program and is designed to ensure the professional competence in specific forensic accounting and fraud detection. This fraudulent behavior can have a significant impact on a firm’s reputation, its value and profits and its ability to find professional indemnity insurance. Moreover, development of new technologies and business processes has made fraud scheme more complex as well as increases losses for companies and organizations.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Foundational Knowledge: Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, methodologies, and techniques used in modern forensic science
  • Critical Thinking: Cultivate students' abilities to critically evaluate evidence, draw logical conclusions, and approach forensic investigations with a systematic and analytical mindset.
  • Practical Application: Provide hands-on experiences, laboratory sessions, and simulated crime scenes to allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
  • Research Competency: Encourage students to engage in research, staying updated with the latest advancements and innovations in the field of forensic science.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Know the basics of Fraud and fraudsters
  • Understanding of the principles and importance of independence, objectivity, and skepticism in auditing.
  • Comprehensive understanding of internal audit processes and the significance of the three lines of defense.
  • Ability to evaluate financial controls and detect potential financial statement frauds.
  • In-depth knowledge of revenue recognition detection techniques and potential issues associated with it.
  • Proficiency in identifying and addressing revenue and receivables misappropriation
  • Ability to use financial ratios as measures of risk or indications of fraud, with insights from the Beneish research.
  • Ability to recognize the typical characteristics of anonymous tips and their implications.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction. Fraud and fraudsters.
  • Audit and investigation of fraud
  • Internal Audit and Fraud Related to Revenue
  • Assets misappropriation
  • Financial ratio analysis. When and why to call forensic accountants
  • Fraud investigation strategy and reporting
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Class participation
    Ask questions to your fellow students during group presentation. Ask questions and participate in discussion in the class
  • non-blocking Visiting lecturer's task at the seminar
    Prepare the task suggested by guest lecturer
  • non-blocking Weekly test
    Weekly tests
  • non-blocking Final project
    Present the results of the team project
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2025/2026 2nd module
    0.1 * Class participation + 0.6 * Final project + 0.2 * Visiting lecturer's task at the seminar + 0.1 * Weekly test
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • A guide to forensic accounting investigation, Golden, T., 2006
  • Forensic accounting and fraud examination, Kranacher, M.-J., 2020
  • Forensic accounting, Zimbelman, M. F., 2012
  • Gudjonsson, G. H., & Haward, L. R. C. (2016). Forensic Psychology : A Guide to Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1165368
  • Priddis, C., & Vandenberg, N. (2018). Australasian forensic science summit 2016: education and training towards 2030. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 50(3), 293–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2017.1383571
  • Sammons, J. (2014). The Basics of Digital Forensics : The Primer for Getting Started in Digital Forensics (Vol. Second edition). Amsterdam: Syngress. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=924929
  • Колдин, В. Я., Forensic Identification : монография / В. Я. Колдин. — Москва : Русайнс, 2019. — 454 с. — ISBN 978-5-4365-3442-8. — URL: https://book.ru/book/934438 (дата обращения: 04.07.2025). — Текст : электронный.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Altheide, C., & Carvey, H. A. (2011). Digital Forensics with Open Source Tools. Burlington, MA: Syngress. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=363702
  • Nuzzolese, E., Lupariello, F., & Di Vella, G. (2018). Selfie identification app as a forensic tool for missing and unidentified persons. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C20865F9
  • Thomas W. Golden, Steven L. Skalak, Mona M. Clayton, & Jessica S. Pill. (2006). A Guide to Forensic Accounting Investigation. Wiley.

Authors

  • VOLKOVA KIRA YUREVNA
  • GRISHUNIN SERGEY VADIMOVICH
  • KRIVTSOVA EKATERINA ANDREEVNA