The Core Forensic Accounting Knowledge Certificate and Exam (16.0 CPE Credits) covers the areas essential to the planning, performance and reporting for all forensic accounting engagements. Leverage this program to acquire new skills, begin the CFF Credential pathway or earn CPE credits.
What awaits? Distinction. Pride. Opportunity.
To excel in forensic accounting, you must have a solid understanding of core forensic accounting topics before developing skills in the specialized niche forensic accounting practice areas. Through narration by industry subject matter experts and application exercises, this certificate program covers the areas essential to the planning, performance and reporting for all forensic accounting engagements including evidence identification and gathering, discovery, interview techniques, deposition and testimony, reporting requirements and more.
Composed of required education and the respective Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) credential’s Core Forensics Knowledge exam, 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 Core Forensics Knowledge exam. Once you complete the Core Forensic Accounting Certificate, consider earning the Specialized 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 Core Forensic Accounting Certificate program covers topics found in the Content Specification Outline (CSO) for the Core Forensic Knowledge exam section of the CFF Credential exam. Completion of the education and passing the exam as well as completing the Specialized Forensic Accounting Certificate program will fulfill the education and exam 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 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 by either purchasing the education only bundle or 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. The Core Forensic Knowledge exam is online and proctored remotely via webcam and audio (either laptop or USB external) anytime 7 days a week throughout the year. Within 10 business days from the purchase date, you will receive a Notice to Schedule (NTS) and have the flexibility to schedule the exam at your convenience. Your NTS will be valid for one year from the date you receive it.
Upon successfully completing the learning and passing the exam, 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. For more information digital badges, visit Digital Badges.
KEY TOPICS
- Laws, courts and dispute resolution
- Engagement planning and preparation
- Information gathering, preservation and analysis
- Expert reports and testimony
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Recall and apply the appropriate preliminary procedures and considerations related to engagement and case acceptance
- Identify and analyze potential conflicts of interest
- Determine the appropriateness of different methods used to obtain and collect evidence based on situational characteristics
- Identify the steps and documents commonly used in the custody and preservation process
- Recall ways to identify relevant missing information needed during the discovery process and apply those methods to situational examples
- Recall ways to protect yourself from different types of challenges both as an expert and on information
- Compare and select appropriate communication techniques and proven methodologies for effective investigative interview sessions
- Analyze the signs of verbal and non-verbal deception
- Identify the reporting requirements for expert witnesses
- Differentiate between the applicable professional standards used in different types of reports
Digital Badge: Your Professional Distinction
Set yourself apart as a future-ready financial professional. Upon completion, you will be awarded with a certificate in the form of a digital badge. Digital badges allow you to distinguish yourself in the marketplace and show your commitment to quality. The badge can be posted to your social media profiles and linked to your resume or email signature, providing maximum visibility to your achievement.
Credit Info
- CPE CREDITS: Online + Exam: 16.0
- NASBA FIELD OF STUDY: Accounting
- LEVEL: Intermediate
- PREREQUISITES: Foundational knowledge of forensic accounting
- ADVANCE PREPARATION: None
- DELIVERY METHOD: QAS Self-Study
- COURSE ACRONYM: FAIE
Online Access Instructions
A personal pin code is enclosed in the physical packaging that may be activated online upon receipt. Once activated, you will gain immediate online access to the product for one full year.
System Requirements
AICPA’s online CPE courses will operate in a variety of configurations, but only the configuration described below is supported by AICPA technicians.
A stable and continuous internet connection is required. In order to record your completion of the online learning courses, please ensure you are connected to the internet at all times while taking the course. It is your responsibility to validate that CPE certificate(s) are available within your account after successfully completing the course and/or exam.
Supported Operating Systems:
- Macintosh OS X 10.10 to present
- Windows 7 to present
Supported Browsers:
- Apple Safari
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
Required Browser Plug-ins:
- Adobe Flash
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
