Financial Crime Analysis
Overview
This unit has been developed with direct input from industry to ensure graduates have relevant career-ready knowledge and skills. The result is a unit that delves into the intersection of accounting principles and cutting-edge tools to uncover fraud, embezzlement, and financial misconduct. Through a lens of integrity and ethical practice, we explore how forensic accountants and fraud investigators utilize advanced software, data analytics, and investigative techniques to navigate complex financial landscapes. Where possible, the unit delivery includes guest presenters
Requisites
150 credit points
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify and explain the fundamentals relating to the nature, types and symptoms of fraud
- Leverage technology-assisted techniques in detecting, investigating and minimising fraud occurrences.
- Assess emerging threats and trends relating to cybersecurity and ethics.
- Work in groups to analyse and extrapolate meaning from authentic fraud case studies.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
On Campus Class 1 |
2 | 12 weeks | 24 |
Online Lecture (asynchronous) |
1 | 12 weeks | 12 |
Unspecified Learning Activities Independent Learning |
9.5 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| Total | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Group | 20-30% | 1,2,4 |
| Assessment | Individual | 40-60% | 1,2,3 |
| Assessment | Individual | 20-30% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- Fraud definition, classifications and motivations.
- Legal, regulatory and accounting frameworks
- Preventing Fraud: Internal Controls, Codes of Conduct (ACS, ACFE), Whistleblowing.
- Detecting Fraud: Data-driven fraud detection.
- Data mining and analysis with a fraud lens.
- Artificial Intelligence in Fraud investigations – industry insights.
- Regulatory technology, Generative AI for Know Your Customer (KYC).
- Forensic Analytics and Technologies - industry insights.
- Financial Crime - Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing.
- Crypto crime --> Blockchain.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.