Best Master’s in Forensic Accounting Online

Forensic accountants examine financial data, looking for evidence of fraud and other financial crimes. If you have a knack for numbers and an eye for investigative work, a forensic accounting degree can prepare you for a challenging and high-paying career path.

Earning your master’s in forensic accounting online gives you the flexibility to keep working while you’re in school. Explore our comprehensive guide to learn more about forensic accounting, including our ranking of the top online programs.

A master’s in forensic accounting online program covers the same topics as a traditional campus program but in a more flexible and convenient format. You’ll still complete readings, attend lectures, and learn to examine data for evidence of financial crime.

Some programs may include live interactions (synchronous) with professors and classmates in an online classroom environment. Others don’t feature live classes but prerecorded lectures (asynchronous), letting you complete assignments at your own pace during the week while meeting deadlines.

Distance programs translate accounting education concepts to a fully or mostly online format. In general, the biggest difference between online and campus accounting programs is the delivery method. Rather than communicating in person, most if not all of your interactions with classmates and professors occur online through email and video conferencing.

Online programs are a great fit for working students. These programs recognize that you may already work full time, and provide accommodations as you balance work and school. Part-time enrollment options and asynchronous online courses are common when you pursue a master’s in forensic accounting online.

Pursuing a master’s in forensic accounting online gives you more flexibility to complete your studies, but you also need to be comfortable working on your own. If you’re already employed full time, an online program could be a good fit. Some programs may even allow you to apply your own accounting work experience directly to your studies.

Not all online education programs work the same. While you’ll always complete most of your coursework online, programs may offer different online course formats. Explore the most common forms of online learning below.

Whatever type of online accounting program you’re considering, always make sure a school is accredited before applying. If you attend a program without accreditation, you may not be able to receive professional credentials like certified public accountant (CPA) or certified fraud examiner licensure.

There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation evaluates colleges and universities to ensure they meet educational standards, allowing students to qualify for federal financial aid. Common institutional accreditation agencies include the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Any school that lacks institutional accreditation should be considered disreputable and not worth your time or money.

Programmatic accreditation evaluates individual academic programs to make sure they meet industry standards. Accounting programs receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Not all accounting programs hold accreditation from these agencies, but those that do can guarantee you a quality education that aligns with industry best practices.

If you’re considering schools outside of your home state, also make sure their accounting programs are authorized to educate out-of-state students. Not all online schools can educate students in all states, and not all programs meet certification requirements in all states.

As of 2025, you can expect to pay around $700-$900 per credit when earning your master’s in forensic accounting online. Most programs include a minimum of 30 credits, which equates to an average total tuition of $24,000. In general, public schools charge lower tuition rates than private schools, though only for in-state students.

While some accounting programs charge reduced tuition rates for online programs, you may also have to pay technology fees. However, an online program can help you save on other expenses like childcare, transportation, and moving costs. If you’re in a hybrid program, you’ll still need to pay to commute and park.

You have many options to finance your forensic accounting degree. The most desirable funding sources are scholarships and fellowships, because they do not need to be repaid as long as you maintain a minimum GPA. Federal and private loans are also a common source of funding, though they gather interest and require repayment.