Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
A program focusing on the principles and techniques of conducting investigations into financial crime, terrorist activity, and the analysis and use of accounting data as evidence. Includes instruction in the principles of accounting, investigative auditing, computer investigations, accounting system documents and software, business corruption, criminal and terrorist financial networks, international money markets and movement, net worth analysis, financial fraud, exposing concealed assets, records seizure, fraud and money laundering statutes, fraud case initiation, case management, and case presentation.
- Schools offering
- 15
- Annual completions
- 84
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $58k
About this major
A program focusing on the principles and techniques of conducting investigations into financial crime, terrorist activity, and the analysis and use of accounting data as evidence. Includes instruction in the principles of accounting, investigative auditing, computer investigations, accounting system documents and software, business corruption, criminal and terrorist financial networks, international money markets and movement, net worth analysis, financial fraud, exposing concealed assets, records seizure, fraud and money laundering statutes, fraud case initiation, case management, and case presentation.
Examples of specialized tracks: Fraud and Money, Laundering, International Banking and Money, Laundering, Terrorist Finance, Asset Forfeiture, Economic Crime Investigation, Investigative and Forensic Accounting.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and auditors | $82k | +4.6% | Bachelor's degree |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | $94k | -0.7% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Financial examiners | $90k | +18.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Private detectives and investigators | $52k | +6.0% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary | $71k | +2.0% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$58k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$44k
Bachelor's
$60k
Top colleges for Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, NY | 0 | 56 | 56 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Champlain College | Burlington, VT | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima, OH | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Genesee Community College | Batavia, NY | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Waynesburg University | Waynesburg, PA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| New England College | Henniker, NH | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center | New York, NY | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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