New accounting, forensic accounting programs

April 2018     No Comments

A trio of new programs are coming from the College of Business Management – a Bachelor of Science in Finance, advanced certificate in forensic accounting and valuation, or providing a concentration in forensic accounting and valuation within SUNY Poly’s Master of Science in Accountancy program.

The new programs aim to prepare students for the 21st century workforce and help connect businesses and agencies with well qualified experts in ever-growing fields of finance and business.

“The expansion of our programs is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff in the College of Business Management,” said SUNY Poly Interim President Dr. Bahgat Sammakia. “The highly coveted skills that students gain through these programs will prepare them for the ever-changing and advancing workforce and put them a step ahead in the world of business.”

The newly re-launched Bachelor of Science in Finance program is designed for students who are interested in specializing in the finance industry and features coursework on topics such as accounting, investments, financial institutions, financial management problems, as well as financial planning and control. This broad business management perspective allows graduates to seek employment within organizations such as banks, investment companies, brokerage houses, or within the finance departments of corporations. The reinstatement of this finance program will again afford access to financial and banking industries as well as related government agencies for those students who have deep interest in finance and investments.

“Managing financial transactions is a critically important element of sustaining our robust economy.  We are delighted to add new programs in our Business Management Colleges,” said Dr. William Durgin, SUNY Poly Provost. “Expanding and strengthening our already high-ranking business programs at SUNY Poly will continue to provide students with top-tier skills for success in competitive industries.”

Joining SUNY Poly’s ever-expanding roster of online program offerings is an advanced certificate program in forensic accounting and valuation. As one of the fastest growing sectors in accounting, this graduate-level certificate is open to those who already hold a bachelor of science in accounting degree or a bachelor degree with all prerequisites for the Master of Science in Accounting program. The forensic accounting and valuation program provides specialized education in the burgeoning field of forensic examination, asset valuation, and fraud detection and prevention. Students taking these courses gain valuable knowledge and the skills necessary to pursue a career as a forensic accountant. The advanced certificate will enable recent graduates to acquire graduate experience, which might facilitate matriculation into the Master of Science in Accounting program.

Through the forensic accounting and valuation advanced certificate program, students will not only gain in-demand skills for a rapidly expanding career field, but will also learn the critical role that ethics plays in forensic accounting and be able to identify the various forms of fraud, as well as the sources, schemes, and motivation of fraudulent financial reporting.

“This really reinforces our position in the Central New York area by serving both the needs of students as well as industry,” said Associate Professor Dr. Robert Edgell of the College of Business Management. “These are high demand skills that are essential for growing and developing the economic vitality of our region.”

Following the increased demand for forensic accounting skills, the consistently high-ranked Master of Science in Accounting program will now add a concentration in forensic accounting and valuation to its already impressive lineup. Consistent with the existing accountancy program, the concentration courses will be offered entirely online.

Through the online formats of the forensic accounting and valuation advanced certificate and MSA concentrations, students from all over New York State, the country, and even the world will have access to the courses, faculty, and resources of SUNY Poly’s College of Business Management, allowing even those that are working full-time the ability to still complete graduate-level coursework in a format that is convenient to them.

With a slated launch date of Fall 2018, these new offerings join already popular programs within SUNY Poly’s College of Business Management, including Accounting, Technology Management, Business Administration, and Accounting.