Business Forensics and Fraud

Subject ACCT20006 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 3-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

The following:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Summer Term, Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Jennifer Grafton

Contact

j.grafton@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject considers business fraud and forensic processes from an accounting perspective. The subject introduces students to various types of fraud, considering recent trends in fraudulent business activities both within Australia and globally. Regulatory requirements and best practice procedures for the design of fraud management (prevention) programs are considered and the latest in fraud detection methods (with an emphasis on information technology tools) are evaluated. The subject also considers the role of accounting in fraud and other business forensic investigations in the context of the Australian legal framework including: methods for obtaining and controlling evidence; conducting investigations; quantifying loss and damage; and the presentation of evidence in court as an expert witness.
Objectives: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
• Define fraud;
• Explain and describe different types of fraud and fraud schemes;
• Describe recent fraud trends in the Australian and broader international context;
• Recommend corporate governance measures and accountability frameworks that can be used in the prevention of fraud;
• Explain and apply fraud detection processes;
• Explain the law of evidence as it applies within the Australian corporate regulatory framework;
• Explain forensic processes for fraud investigation including the identification of relevant information and facts to be used to quantify loss and damage in cases involving a civil wrong or breach of contract; and
• Describe the key elements of an expert witness report.
Assessment:

A 3-hour end-of-semester examination (70%), a group assignment of not more than 2000 words due mid semester (20%) and seminar preparation and participation (10%). Successful completion of this subject requires a minimum 50% pass in the end-of-semester examination.
Prescribed Texts: You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • High level of development: written communication; oral communication; collaborative learning; team work; problem solving; application of theory to practice; critical thinking; interpretation and analysis;

  • Moderate level of development: use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information.

  • Some level of development: statistical reasoning; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
Related Breadth Track(s): Forensic Accounting

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