The Top Fraud Examination MBA
Online Programs

As stories of financial and accounting fraud continue to appear in the news, many organizations are redoubling their efforts to protect shareholder profits and avoid damaging regulatory penalties. As a result, managers trained in fraud recognition and fraud prevention techniques are in demand. Fraud examination is the use of forensic accounting and internal auditing methods to proactively identify and prevent fraud in an organization. An online Master of Business Administration in Fraud Examination equips individuals, such as accountants and auditors, with the skills and knowledge needed to detect, investigate and prevent economic fraud within organizations.

Fraud examination requires both general business and data-driven investigative skills. MBA online fraud examination programs offer students this very combination. Top online MBA fraud examination programs provide students with specialized knowledge in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, fraud analysis and information systems management.  The best online MBA programs, those that place highly on online fraud examination MBA rankings lists, also teach students how to comply with legal statutes, regulations and industry standards, offering techniques for establishing the policies, procedures and controls that help to create an ethical business environment.

How can I tell if an online MBA fraud examination degree is right for me?

An online Master of Business Administration in Fraud Examination is a great match for students interested in forensic accounting, internal auditing and fiscal responsibility.

Additional common characteristics amongst many online MBA fraud examination students include:

• A flair for evaluating information to determine compliance with standards
• An aptitude for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work
• A flair for getting information
• An aptitude for analyzing data or information
• A capability for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships

How long does it take to earn an MBA online fraud examination degree?

A fraud examination MBA degree online takes approximately the same time to finish as any other MBA online. This degree on average takes two years of full-time study to earn. However, some institutions have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the ability to finish the program at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA fraud examination schools online?

Accredited online MBA fraud examination programs generally require students to have an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in the MBA program. Some schools that have an MBA fraud examination online program favor applicants who have degrees in related fields such as accounting, CPA, auditing, and business administration.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in fraud examination programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Work experience
• Academic transcripts
• Essays
• References or Letters of Recommendation

What courses will I take in fraud examination MBA programs online?

The curriculum during the first year of a fraud examination MBA online program consists of core business classes. These core classes are designed to introduce students to fundamental business concepts and key functional areas of business operations. Students enrolled in accredited online fraud examination MBA schools typically take subjects such as managerial economics, statistics, data analysis, quantitative business methods and ethical leadership.

During the second year, fraud examination MBA online courses are more specialized, focusing on training in how to detect abnormalities within accounting systems and how to investigate allegations of financial abuse. Fraud examination, forensic accounting, advanced fraud analysis, ethics in fraud management and information and communication security are topics covered by some of the best fraud examination MBA schools online.

In addition to coursework, internships are also done by some students in online fraud examination MBA programs. Such an internship can be important in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and fraud examination skills they are learning in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in fraud examination books I should consider reading?

Some books students interested in fraud examination MBA careers may find on point are:

1. Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation (Stephen Pedneault) – Detailing all phases of a fraud investigation, from the first suspicion of fraud to the final judgment in court, this book is a great resource for new online MBA in fraud examination students.

2. Policies and Procedures to Prevent Fraud and Embezzlement: Guidance, Internal Controls and Investigation (Edward J. McMillan) – This book presents tools to help fraud investigators, internal auditors and managers proactively safeguard an organization’s assets and reputation.

3. Business Fairy Tales: Grim Realities of Fictitious Financial Reporting (Cecil W. Jackson) – In this accessible book, the author uses real-world scandals to explain the most common methods used by companies to fraudulently overstate their earnings and hide their debt.

4. History of Greed: Financial Fraud from Tulip Mania to Bernie Madoff (David E.Y. Sarna, Andrew Malik) – An excellent introduction for students, Sarna and Malik explore fraud and the financial system by way of a comprehensive historical account of the last 400 years of financial frauds and schemes.

5. Corporate Resiliency: Managing the Growing Risk of Fraud and Corruption (Toby J. Bishop) – Based on interviews with current business executives, the author provides an international perspective on fraud and corruption risks and the techniques companies around the world are adopting to deal with them.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue fraud examination MBA jobs?

Individuals who have completed MBA fraud examination online programs will enter a job market with over 22,000 positions in fraud examination, forensic accounting and auditing. While fraud examination MBA salary amounts vary by position and industry, several national averages are listed below:

• Fraud Investigator – $93,560
• Forensic Accountant – $112,649
• Financial Controller – $122,397
• Senior Internal Auditor – $89,216

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job pool in fields related to fraud examination is expected to grow 16% over the next ten years. This job growth can be attributed to stricter laws and regulations resulting from corporate scandals and financial crises, which have created an increased demand for managers who can help organizations in the detection and deterrence of economic fraud.

Many employers prefer graduates who have earned their degrees from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited fraud examination MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Fraud Examination MBA degree?

• Saint Leo University Online
• Western International University
• University of Phoenix
• University of the Southwest
• Grand Canyon University