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Academic Spotlight<br />
<strong>College</strong> introduces forensic<br />
accounting concentration<br />
by Kenneth “Rudy” Glenn ’10<br />
Understanding the demands in today’s<br />
global economy, <strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Erie</strong> <strong>College</strong> seeks<br />
to prepare students to solve real-world<br />
problems. A notable real-world problem<br />
is the instability of the economy, which can<br />
lead to unethical decisions and illegitimate<br />
financial statements from companies. To<br />
combat these pressing issues, the practice<br />
of forensic accounting is put to the test to<br />
catch falsifications in accounting statements.<br />
Forensic accounting is often highly<br />
complex, but it is the reason significant<br />
scandals at Enron, Tyco and Worldcom were<br />
discovered.<br />
Forensic accounting is the integration of<br />
accounting, auditing and investigative skills,<br />
providing an analysis of financial affairs<br />
suitable for a court to discuss, debate and<br />
ultimately resolve disputes. Fraud and<br />
forensic accounting is a growing area of<br />
specialization for professional accountants<br />
and other professionals in related fields such<br />
as law, criminology, sociology, psychology,<br />
intelligence, computer forensics and other<br />
forensic sciences. Public and private corporations,<br />
accounting firms, law enforcement<br />
agencies, government and not-for-profit<br />
entities all have experienced the need to<br />
develop programs to reduce inefficiencies,<br />
waste, abuse and fraud, including the need<br />
to provide or utilize the expertise of fraud<br />
and forensic accounting specialists.<br />
<strong>Lake</strong> <strong>Erie</strong> <strong>College</strong> is meeting students’<br />
demands to enter this exciting field by<br />
offering a new concentration in forensic<br />
accounting. Students will have the<br />
opportunity to learn from an expert in the<br />
field, Justin Briedenbach, instructor of<br />
accounting, who became a Certified Fraud<br />
Examiner earlier in <strong>2011</strong>. His<br />
certification is regulated by the Association<br />
of Certified Fraud Examiners and is<br />
recognized globally for the holder’s<br />
knowledge and expertise as an antifraud<br />
professional.<br />
Briedenbach was required to pass a<br />
rigorous set of exams in addition to having<br />
specific professional experience and an<br />
advanced degree. The computer-based<br />
exams totaled 500 questions, each of which<br />
had a strict 75-second time limit to answer.<br />
Topics covered in the exam included<br />
fraud prevention and deterrence, financial<br />
transactions, fraud investigation, and legal<br />
elements of fraud. Briedenbach will have<br />
to maintain his certification by completing<br />
over 20 hours of continuing professional<br />
education each year.<br />
Forensic accounting students will complete<br />
their program as accountants with a concentration<br />
in forensic accounting and will find<br />
themselves in favorable positions, as many<br />
companies look to protect themselves<br />
internally with the accuracy and prevention<br />
skills of the students. Briedenbach, along<br />
with Julie Ziemak, assistant professor<br />
of accounting, began teaching forensic<br />
accounting courses in fall <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
Justin Briedenbach<br />
Forensic<br />
accounting is<br />
often highly<br />
complex, but<br />
it is the reason<br />
significant<br />
scandals<br />
at Enron,<br />
Tyco and<br />
Worldcom were<br />
discovered.<br />
Julie Ziemak<br />
16 L A K E E R I E | <strong>FALL</strong> ‘11
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