Business Forensics and Fraud (ACCT20006)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
Winter Term
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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.

Intended learning outcomes

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.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following 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: 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: use of computer software; statistical reasoning; receptiveness to alternative ideas.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ACCT10002 Introductory Financial Accounting
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Please refer to Prerequisites and Corequisites.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Group assignment (normally in groups of 3-4 students)

  • 2000 words
End of semester30%

Seminar preparation and participation

Throughout the semester10%

End-of-semester exam

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: To pass this subject, students must pass the end of semester examination.		During the examination period60%

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • Winter Term
    Principal coordinatorDean Newlan
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursThree 1.5-hour seminars and three 1.5-hour workshops per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 June 2024 to 19 July 2024
    Last self-enrol date28 June 2024
    Census date 5 July 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 July 2024
    Assessment period ends 2 August 2024

    Winter Term contact information

    accounting-teaching@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

This subject has an enrolment quota:

  • 35 places available only
  • Enrolments will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025