The Diploma in Investigative & Forensic Accounting (DIFA) program is designed to provide a graduate professional accountant, or equivalent, with the skills, knowledge, insights and professional characteristics necessary to successfully respond effectively to: (1) the challenges of investigating fraud, other aspects of white-collar crime, and other financial disputes, and (2) the provision of reports, advice and evidence to clients, lawyers and courts for the resolution of situations relating to possible or pending civil or criminal legal proceedings.

The demands for and of forensic accountants have been growing as the field expands and as business and related schemes become more complex. To meet the challenges involved, the University of Toronto Mississauga and the Alliance for Excellence in Investigative and Forensic Accounting of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (the Alliance) have combined to offer the DIFA Program. For Chartered Accountants, the Diploma may lead to a specialist designation, the CA·IFA.

Consisting of 10 courses, the Diploma will be delivered over a period of slightly more than two years, primarily on a distance-education, problem-based learning basis. Two one-week residency periods are required, one each at the beginning and end of the Diploma.