China Needs Forensic Accounting Education

Abstract

White-collar crime causes the most economic harm to the finance world. It is the white collar criminals who steal our pensions, bankrupt companies, destroy thousands of jobs and shatter people’s dreams. Forensic accounting practice has emerged in the areas of litigation support consulting, expert witnessing, and fraud investigation. Although forensic accounting practice is viewed as one of the most rewarding and secure career choices, there is a gap between forensic accounting practice and education. Furthermore, the evidence of forensic accounting practice and education in China is rare. Thus, the primary purposes of this paper are to: 1) describe areas of forensic accounting practices in China; 2) examine the demand for and interest in forensic accounting practices and education in China: and 3) present the most relevant forensic accounting topics to be integrated into the Chinese business curriculum. To achieve study purposes a survey is conducted to bring insights experts on the demand, relevance, benefits, coverage, and delivery of forensic accounting materials to accounting professionals in China. Results indicate that : 1) the demand for and interest in forensic accounting education and practice in China will continue to increase; and 2) many of the suggested forensic accounting topics should be integrated into business and accounting curricula in China. The findings can be of great benefit to business colleges and accounting schools as well as accounting students, and employers of accounting graduates in China.