Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Accountancy and Investigation

Purpose

This qualification is aimed at producing graduates who can function as Forensic Accounting Investigators. There is a market need for well-rounded and well-trained Forensic Accounting Investigators who are able to work effectively in the commercial investigative environment.

The qualification will not only be beneficial to those individuals interested in a new area of specialisation, but it will also be of interest to accountants and legal practitioners who want to sharpen their professional skills. The key objectives are to develop knowledge and expertise to prevent, detect and investigate fraud, to recover funds derived from criminal activities and financial awards resulting from civil disputes.

The design of the qualification will facilitate critical learning through exposure to and application of accounting; investigation and law; organisational and business knowledge; information technology knowledge and competences. These acquired competences include intellectual, technical and functional, personal, interpersonal and communication skills.

Furthermore, the learner will also be trained in the professional values, ethics and attitudes that shape everything they do as professionals. It is essential for professional Forensic Accountants to accept and observe the ethical principles regulating all their relationships.

Rationale

A survey with the big four accounting firms identified the need for such a qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma: Forensic Accountancy and Investigation will facilitate access to postgraduate studies for those learners who do not meet the access requirements for Postgraduate Degrees. The qualification will also give individuals who are in the Forensic Investigation field an opportunity to obtain a Postgraduate qualification.

Investigative and Forensic Accounting is a field where the accounting and legal professions join forces in the litigation process. Judging by the international growth in this area of specialisation, this Postgraduate Diploma is designed to fulfil the needs of South African practitioners.

The applicant is assumed to have

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree: Law, Accountancy or Police Science at NQF Level 7.
• An equivalent qualification in the field of Forensic Accountancy and Investigations at NQF Level 7.
• Afrikaans/English Communication Skills at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not meet the normal admissions criteria may be considered for admission on the basis of the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Demonstration of prior learning takes the form of a portfolio of evidence documenting records of achievement that may include formal assessments, publications, training and work experience. The portfolio of evidence is evaluated by competent assessors, appointed by the responsible academic managers and/or committees within the University.

Access to the Qualification

Learners aspiring to access this qualification must be in possession of a relevant Bachelor's Degree.

The qualification comprises four compulsory modules, each of which is worth 30 Credits. All the modules are pegged at NQF Level 8.

Modules

• Legal Principles of Forensic Accountancy and Investigation.
• Forensic Accountancy.
• Forensic Investigation.
• Forensic Interviewing Skills.

1. Apply integrated knowledge and critical understanding of the relevant statutory and common law rules and principles in a selection of law fields relevant to the commercial investigative environment.

• Range: The investigative environment includes Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Law of Delict, Law of Contract, Civil Procedure, Law of Evidence, Labour Law, Law of Negotiable Instruments and Company Law.

1. Use the concepts, principles and rules regarding financial reporting as well as different techniques to investigate misrepresented financial information to conduct forensic investigations in a commercial environment.
2. Collect and manage sources of information, data and other documents, as well as the compiling of statements in the process of forensic investigations and critically evaluate and review that information.
3. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge, awareness and understanding of the basic ethics underlying legally sustainable interviews when conducting forensic accounting investigations.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Applying the theoretical principles of problem identification and solving problems in the field of Accounting Sciences.
• Understanding the world as a set of related systems insofar as demonstrating in-depth knowledge and insight of the economic and business environments and solve problems in coherence with other disciplines.
• Working effectively as an individual, in teams and in organisations to create the opportunity to develop as a leader in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Organising and managing his/her activities responsibly and effectively with self-discipline, integrity and commitment to reach the desired objectives.
• Collating, analysing, synthesising, critically evaluating and applying information to reach conclusions and be able to make recommendations.
• Communicating with other business and professional people, the correct rendering of others' viewpoints regarding theories, and the logical and systematic formulation of personal viewpoints or theories and to access and communicate economic and business information effectively through information technology.
• Utilising appropriate technology (i.e. computer, e-mail, Internet, fax) effectively in the Accounting and Business environment.
• Understanding the need for maintaining competence and best practices to keep abreast of the changing economic, manufacturing and business environment; and apply new methods and techniques in order to be competitive.
• Engaging in the life-long learning through insight and understanding of the principles involved in the accounting environment and thereby establishing an active interest in the dynamics of the business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The relevant statutory and common law rules and principles in a selection of law fields relevant to the commercial investigative environment are explained.
• The legal profession using the terms and classifications that occur in legal science, the Constitution and constitutional development in South Africa is discussed.
• Complex legal issues pertaining to the functioning as an expert witness in a court of law within the South African legal framework are explained.
• Legal issues pertaining to the commercial investigative environment within the South African legal framework are discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Multiple sources of knowledge within the field of Forensic Accountancy to identify and address complex real world problems are interrogated and evidence-based solutions with theory driven arguments based on a value driven approach are applied.
• Correct concepts and rules to regulate and discuss the presentation of financial reporting are utilised.
• Financial statements are interpreted.
• Problems are identified and discussed and appropriate solutions planned accordingly.
• Reports with regard to solutions are written and presented.
• Correct techniques to identify and investigate misrepresented financial information are utilised.
• The possible manipulation of financial statements through the misapplication of applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other reporting standards are explained.
• The ethical conduct and responsibilities of role players in the forensic investigative environment are discussed and critically judged.
• The role, responsibilities and duties of statutory appointed external auditors in terms of selected International Standards on Auditing are discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Forensic investigations using specific procedures and techniques that are supported by effective and efficient evidence are conducted.
• Data, documents and sources of information are explained and managed.
• Case conclusions are written.
• The detection, investigation and prevention of commercial related crime within the South African legal framework are discussed.
• The different types of search warrants relevant to the scope of work of the Forensic Accountant are explained and compared.
• The form and substance as well as the execution of search warrants are discussed.
• The Work Acceptance Procedures, Engagement letters, Quality Control, Risk and the Investigation Process relevant to the private South African Forensic Accountant are discussed and applied.
• The management of commercial crime as well as the crime scene are discussed.
• Interpersonal communication and interviews are conducted and are given oral presentations on problems and the possible solutions.
• Evidence to court as an expert witness is prepared and presented.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Legally sustainable interviews in Forensic Accounting investigations are conducted in an ethical manner.
• Basic General Systems Theory within the context of the Social Sciences is discussed.
• The interactive processes of dyadic relationships within the context of General Systems Theory with specific reference to the interviewer-interviewee relationship are discussed.
• The basic process of interpersonal communication and the significant variables in this process are described.
• Specific socoi-psychological phenomena and processes are critically discussed.

> Range: Human Self-actualisation, Human Cognition, Interpersonal perception, Human motivation (including Maslow's hierarchy of needs), Attitudes and Behaviour and Interpersonal attraction and development of interpersonal relationships.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment may be based on the following

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Group Discussions.
• Case studies and presentations before peers and experts.
• Oral and written examinations.

Summative assessment takes the form of formal written examination question papers.