Short Learning Programme in Practice and Fraud Risk Management

The short course aims to equip participants with fundamental knowledge and skills in commercial forensic practice as well as fraud risk management to effectively participate in the prevention and combating of commercial crime and related irregularities.

Purpose of the course

The course will enable participants to function as professionals within the commercial forensic environment, with specific reference to ethics, the role and function of commercial forensic practitioners and related role players in the combatting of commercial crime, forensic reporting standards, client acceptance procedures and engagement letters, fraud risk management and requirements related thereto.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
The successful completion of a senior certificate (grade 12) plus two years experience relevant to the field of commercial forensic practice or a tertiary qualification relevant to the field of commercial forensic practice.
Learning assumed to be in place
The ability to study and communicate in English on an acceptable academic level as well as basic skills to independently navigate in an e-learning learning environment.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

Outcomes

Assessment Criteria

On completion of the CED offering, the student should be able to demonstrate: The student will reach the CED Offering outcomes if he/she is able to:
  • a detailed knowledge of ethical standards and practice relevant to the South African commercial forensic environment;
  • apply detailed knowledge of ethics and disciplinary codes applicable to the forensic practitioner; apply a detailed knowledge base of key terms, principles, and theories applicable to the practice of commercial forensic investigations and fraud risk management within the commercial forensic environment through the use of it in arguments and debates in written (assignments and/or case studies) and/or oral format;

 

  • ethics knowledge, moral sensitivity, ethical reasoning and commitment to the principles and public role of commercial forensic practice;
  • show insight into moral sensitivity and ethical reasoning when dealing with ethics concerns in commercial forensic practice;
  • a detailed knowledge of relevant role-players (public and private entities, regulators, the legal fraternity, etc.) relevant to the commercial forensic environment;
  • describe the role of respective role-players within the accounting and audit environment, the legal environment, regulators, etc. in commercial forensic practice;
  • position commercial forensic practice within the context of commercial crime, its scope and impact;
  • show insight into the  positioning of commercial forensic practice within the context of commercial crime, its scope and impact;
  • an ability to solve problems through the analysis of sets of facts and/or source documentation relating to fraud risk management and risk management within the commercial forensic environment and to formulate arguments flowing therefrom in an orderly fashion;
  • apply detailed knowledge of engagement risks relating to practice management, which include, but are not limited to, conflicts of interest, limitation of liability, terms and conditions, fees, professional indemnity, etc.; explain how fraud risk management forms part of governance and risk management and how these elements can be employed to prevent, detect and respond to commercial crime or the threat thereof;
  • an ability to evaluate different sources of information, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to that information relating to aspects falling within the ambit of practice management, forensic reporting standards, fraud risk management as well as elements of practice and fraud risk management within the commercial forensic environment;
  • show insight into commercial forensic reporting standards, including methods, structure, findings and qualifications and opinions;
  • an ability to present and communicate complex information reliably and coherently using appropriate academic and professional or occupational conventions, formats and technologies falling within the ambit of practice and fraud risk management within the commercial forensic environment.
  • apply detailed knowledge of engagement risks relating to practice management, which include, but are not limited to conflicts of interest, limitation of liability, terms and conditions, fees, professional indemnity, etc.; explain and identify how fraud risk management forms part of governance and risk management and how these elements can be employed to prevent, detect and respond to commercial crime or the threat thereof; identify and apply basic research methods and technologies appropriate to the field of commercial forensic accounting by identifying, gathering, organising, critically analysing, evaluating, interpreting relevant information and writing up the findings in assignments.

 

Assessment
Formative assessment: two written assignments and/or cases Summative assessment: one 3-hour, 100-mark examination
Method of assessment
Participants will have to submit two written assignments and/or case studies (formative assessment) and complete a three-hour examination (summative assessment). The elements stated in the learning outcomes and assessment criteria will form the basis of the assessment.

Additional information

Programme number
J06 100 1
Target group
Aspiring commercial forensic practitioners, specifically those who intend to become members of the Institute of Commercial Forensic Practitioners.
Duration
6 months

Contact us

Contact person name
Mr Albert van Zyl
Contact person e-mail
Albert.vanZyl@nwu.ac.za
Contact person telephone number