Question:

Cost?

Answer:

Please refer to UOW up to date program costs under http://www.uow.edu.au/prospective/postgrad/UOW003600.html

Question:

Can I defer once I have commenced the course?

Answer:

Yes – but the Program Coordinator should be consulted

Question:

Can I apply for PELS?

Answer:

Yes

Question:

Is the course full time or part time?

Answer:

The course is offered on a full time basis but students have the option to study part time.

Question:

What is the mode of delivery?

Answer:

Each subject will be WebCt-based with a compulsory two or three-day intensive program on campus per subject. The subject outline for each subject will be available on the respective WebCt-site accessible via the University of Wollongong website. The subject outline will provide names and contact details of subject coordinators and lecturers involved in the subject, prescribed texts and recommended readings, topics to be covered and assessment task details. The dates and location of each intensive on campus program will also be advised.

Question:

How is subject information disseminated to students throughout the course?

Answer:

Student-staff communication will be via E-Learning and SOLS mail. Students must access their SOLS email account and E-Learning subject site at least oncer per week.

Question:

What are the methods of assessment?

Answer:

For all subjects other than the Research Project, assessment will be in the form of research projects, essays, presentations and examinations. Students will also be involved in role playing exercises such as interviewing subjects as part of a forensic investigation and defending an expert report in a court room simulation. These activities will form part of the assessment in the respective subjects. The Research Project will require submission of a major piece of written work (approximately 10-12 000 words) based on original research in a specialised area selected by the student and approved by the Program Coordinator and Subject Coordinator

Question:

Who will be teaching the subjects? What are their qualifications?

Answer:

There will be a core teaching team from the Faculty of Commerce and the Faculty of Law including, where applicable, guest lecturers or speakers. As a team, the teaching staff have expertise in diverse areas including financial accounting, audit, finance, banking, transnational crime prevention, money laundering, corporate law, law of evidence, legislation, regulation and corporate failure.

Question:

Entry qualifications?

Answer:

1. an undergraduate degree with an accounting major from a recognised university OR

2. other academic or professional qualifications AND a minimum of five years full-time relevant work experience approved by the Program Director, Forensic Studies (please refer to Assumed Knowledge Q & A for guidance) OR

3. Consideration of qualifications of applicants outside these guidelines eg relevant work experience (see next question) will be on a case by case basis.

Question:

If I don’t have a degree but five years of relevant work experience – how do I write this up to apply for the degree – what are the main things I have to mention?

Answer:

You need to provide to the Program Coordinator, Forensic Studies details (including documentary evidence) of where you have worked, length of service, positions held and duties and responsibilities. Where applicable, a recommendation of suitability for the course from a senior colleague in a supervisory role should be supplied.

Question:

Assumed knowledge?

Answer:

A sound knowledge of business practices and a basic understanding of financial statements is required. Those without formal accounting qualifications will receive be introduced to basic accounting and audit practices.

Question:

Subject pre-requisites?

Answer:

None. It is advisable to do the subjects in order but they can be done in any order.

Question:

Who can apply for advanced standing?

Answer:

Advanced standing is only available to CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia members who have successfully completed the requisite professional programs.

Question:

From which subjects are CPA Australia and ICAA members exempt?

Answer:

Introductory Forensic Accounting

Question:

How do I apply for advanced standing?

Answer:

Accompanying the University of Wollongong application form is a privacy waiver to be completed by CPA Australia members. CPA Australia members are asked to provide their membership number so that status can be verified. This form will be forwarded to CPA

Australia for verification and returned to the School of Accounting and Finance. The necessary paper work will be forwarded to the University of Wollongong Enrolments section for finalisation of the advanced standing process. Members of the ICAA are to provide evidence of membership status.

Question:

If I have a degree from a CPA Australia and ICAA accredited Australian University, will I be eligible for advanced standing for the CPA Australia program on completion of the Master of Forensic Accounting?

Answer:

Only if you are not already a member of CPA Australia. No exemptions are offered by the ICAA.