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About this Program
Graduate Certificate
Risk Assurance and Advisory (Internal Audit) professionals add value to organizations by providing independent services addressing governance, risks and controls across all aspects of the business. These professionals may work directly for a specific organization in any industry or in professional services firms offering services to a variety of clients.
This certificate will enable students to gain practical knowledge and skills that are transferrable to a wide variety of roles as well as prepare for other industry-relevant certifications, such as the Certified Internal Auditor offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Since MSU Denver is recognized as an Internal Auditing Education Partner, the student will also earn a certificate endorsed by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Graduate Certificate Course Requirements
Requirements
Students will take a total of 12 credits to earn their Graduate Certificate in Risk Assurance and Advisory.
Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in all the courses in the certificate program. The courses cannot be taken pass/fail. Some courses have prerequisites, which must be satisfied. All credit hours of the required courses for this certificate must be completed at MSU Denver.
Three (3) Required Courses - 9 credits
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): ACC 3520 or ACCM 5100 or MBA 5110
Description: This course examines various aspects of fraud with a focus on how and why fraud is committed and how fraud can be deterred or prevented. Students address issues related to forensic accounting and ethics within a framework of fraudulent matters.
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): ACCM 5020 or MBA 5102 or MBA 5105 or ACCM 5050 or ACCM 5100 or MBA 5110 or ACC 3520
Description: This course is a seminar discussing contemporary corporate governance, risk assurance and advisory, enterprise risk management, fraud auditing, IT auditing, and business process literature with an emphasis on strategic risks facing organizations.
Credits: 3
Description: This course provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of data mining concepts and techniques and hands-on experience in applying these techniques to practical real-world business problems using commercial data mining software. As an applied course, the emphasis is on application and interpretation of various data mining methods using business cases and data.
One (1) Required Elective Course - 3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ACC 3520 or ACCM 5020 or ACCM 5050 or ACCM 5100 or MBA 5102 or MBA 5105 or MBA 5110
Description: This course focuses on the practical application of assurance and advisory theory. MSU Denver’s Risk Assurance and Advisory function is student run with student teams completing an assurance or advisory engagement in an important University department or process under close faculty supervision and senior management support. During this course, students will gain experience in risk identification and prioritization, control evaluation and reporting results in written and oral forms. Students will navigate the operational, financial, technological, and/or cultural factors impacting risk and control-related business decisions. Student teams present governance, risk and compliance improvement recommendations to University Senior Management or the Board of Trustees.
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): ACCM 5600 with grade of “C” or better
Description: This course provides students with an understanding of the rules of evidence and an overview of the criminal and civil justice system, including a focus on the court and trial process. The course addresses aspects of engagements and investigation, and the role and responsibilities of the expert witness.
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): ACC 2020 (or equivalent) with grade of C or better or ACCM 5050 or MBA 5105 with grade of C or better.
Description: This course applies managerial and cost accounting concepts and procedures to strategic business decisions. Topics covered include cost management systems, capital budgeting techniques, inventory management, organizational performance measurement, transfer pricing, and other current topics that support management decision-making.
Credits: 3
Description: This course builds an understanding of information technology from a management perspective. Students develop an understanding of the links between information technology, business strategy, business process management, and organizational management dynamics. Three main themes are emphasized: the current market for IT capabilities and services, ways to gain competitive advantage by using information technology to enable new value-enhancing strategies and business models and products, and understanding how managers should specify, source, deploy, manage and support their information technology assets and infrastructure.
Credits: 3
Description: This course examines the management of operations both within service and manufacturing organizations and in the broader context of the supply chain. Special emphasis is placed on process analysis, continuous quality improvement, lean methods, and developing analytical skills for the purpose of supporting effective business decision making.
Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): MBA 5405 with a grade of “C” or better
Description: This case study oriented, interactive course applies principles and analytical skills developed in the MBA core to evaluate the impact of alterative financial strategies and policies on a company. Topics to be addressed include capital budgeting, financing decisions, firm valuation analysis of merger and acquisitions, and working capital management. To enhance critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork, and spreadsheet analysis, in combination with routine written and oral presentations, are essential components of the course.
Graduate Certificate Program Admissions
Admissions Requirements
- Students with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA (cumulative or last 60 hours);
- Students with a bachelor’s degree and approved professional examination, licensure or relevant professional experience;
- Students currently admitted to a graduate business program at another regionally accredited college or university; and/or
- Students with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university with an admissions GMAT index score >1,000.
Application Deadlines
Application Deadline for Spring term:
- Priority domestic: 1st Monday in October
- Final domestic: 1st Monday in January
- International: N/A since not degree-seeking
Application Deadline for Fall term:
- Priority domestic: 1st Monday in June
- Final domestic: 1st Monday in August
- International: N/A since not degree-seeking
Connect with Us!
Meet the Director
Amanda “Jo” Erven, CIA, CPA, CFE
Jo is a Lecturer and the Director of Internal Audit Education at MSU Denver. She is also the owner of Audit. Consulting. Education. LLC, an internal audit and ethics/culture consulting and training firm. Jo started her career at KPMG in external audit, worked as an accountant at an oilfield services company, and was the Internal Audit Director at Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance prior to this adventure.
She can’t wait to meet you and to help you earn your RA&A Certificate! Email any questions to [email protected].
Lauren Shaffer | Program Manager, Master of Professional Accountancy
Did you know that you could pursue our Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) degree and this new Graduate Certificate in Risk Assurance & Advisory at the same time? You sure can! Connect with Lauren to learn how this can fit into your MPAcc degree draft plan and review any questions on the application process so that you can pursue both.
She’s here to help! Email any questions about our MPAcc program to [email protected].