VIENNA — Ohio Valley University graduated its first class of Forensic Investigative Accountants during its 57th annual Commencement on May 5.

According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), forensic accounting is the fastest growing segment of the accounting profession. The spiraling growth of criminal, terrorist, and white-collar crime has created strong demand for these highly qualified professionals, officials said. Government and law enforcement agencies (from the FBI and CIA to offices of local authorities), insurance companies, law firms, banks, accounting firms, and large corporations all need accountants specifically trained to detect fraudulent activities, both foreign and domestic, OVU said.

Although the program has only been offered for the past two years, the “Accounting Degree Review” rated Ohio Valley University’s Forensic Accounting Degree Program 19th in the nation.

According to the review, Ohio Valley University offers a unique undergraduate Forensic Investigative Accounting Degree through its College of Business, as an answer to the industry call for more trained leaders in the fastest growing section of the accounting profession, officials said. The faculty of this program are internationally recognized professionals and agents in the field, many of whom have experience working with the FBI and CIA. Graduates of the program are ready to work immediately upon completion and should be prepared to immediately sit for the Certified Fraud Examiner Exam, accounting-degree.org/forensic-accounting-bachelors/

This year’s class was exposed to guest speakers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center, West Virginia Division of Corrections, West Virginia State Police, the law firm of Crichton and Crichton, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The classes were taught investigative interviewing by Steve Patterson, the Deputy Director of the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center; Business Law from Attorney John E. Triplett Jr., with the firm of Theisen Brock, Marietta, Auditing by Jodey Altier, the President of Perry & Associates, Certified Public Accountants A.C., Criminology by West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jeff Sandy, and Peter Ianniciello, CPA, CMA, CIA.

According to Altier, “as President of Perry & Associates I’m very pleased with the development of the program at Ohio Valley University. I commend the university for taking the initiative to create such a dynamic program. There is a tremendous need for skilled forensic professionals. I am glad I was able to instruct the auditing course for program.”