MFAcc 2027 » Christopher Ramsaran
Christopher Ramsaran is a recipient of the 2025-2026 MFAcc Fellowship. The MFAcc Fellowship is awarded to students who have demonstrated high academic standing, displayed effective leadership skills, and have financial need.
Christopher is currently pursuing the Master of Forensic Accounting (MFAcc) degree on a part-time basis while working as a Senior Financial Analyst at Yorkville University. His career interests include leading forensic accounting activities and cases for organizations across Canada and internationally, with a focus on preventing and detecting fraud.
In the long term, he aspires to establish his own forensic accounting firm, where he can support both private clients and not-for-profit organizations in strengthening ethical practices and combating fraud. He is committed to using his education and professional experience to promote integrity, sustainability, and accountability within organizations locally and globally.
Christopher completed his Bachelor's of Business Administration degree in Global Business Management, from Sheridan College in 2015. He earned a Post-Gradate Certificate in Advanced Professional Accounting from York University in 2020. Christopher has been a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA) since 2024.
Receiving the news brought a lot of joy and exciting emotions. I was both very happy and very grateful. It was an incredible honor to be selected as a recipient of the MFAcc Fellowship. Being part of the MFAcc program itself is a privilege, and the financial support provided by this award has eased the burden, allowing me to focus more fully on my academic and professional aspirations. Personally, it affirmed that the hard work I've put into the program has been worthwhile and motivated me to continue striving for excellence in order to honor the donors who made this award possible. I am deeply grateful to everyone involved in granting me this tuition support, and I truly appreciate all the encouragement and assistance I’ve received throughout my journey. — Christopher Ramsaran
What initially sparked your interest in forensic accounting, and how did you decide to pursue it at the University of Toronto?
After attaining my Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, I began looking for ways to further develop my accounting knowledge and specialize in a particular area, as there are many different pathways within accounting and finance. During my research, I discovered the MFAcc program and, after spending time learning more about it, I became very interested. I saw it as an opportunity to specialize in a specific area of accounting while also staying up to date with developments in the accounting and finance professions.
In addition, the University of Toronto is a globally recognized institution. I knew that by attending the University of Toronto, I would receive a highly specialized and advanced education.
Through my personal and professional experiences, I have interacted with several individuals working in the forensic accounting field. I was consistently impressed by both their strong academic and theoretical knowledge of accounting and their ability to apply that knowledge to real-world problems and scenarios they had worked on or were currently addressing. Hearing their stories about working on assignments and engagements around the world, across private businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, further solidified my interest in pursuing a career in forensic accounting.
Can you tell us about your background before entering MFAcc? What experiences or achievements do you think best prepared you for the challenges in MFAcc?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in business management and a post-graduate certificate in advanced accounting, and I am a member in good standing with CPA Ontario.
Additionally, I have worked in finance departments across multiple industries, including aviation, electronic games, digital advertising, and post-secondary education. Although these industries are very different, the experience and knowledge I gained allowed me to see firsthand the importance of strong internal controls and forensic accounting—not only in preventing fraudulent activities, but also in helping organizations operate in ethical and sustainable ways. As a result, I believe my education and professional experience have prepared me well for the challenges of the MFAcc program.
Now that you have completed a few courses in the MFAcc program, how has your experience been so far?
Overall, my experience in the program has been very positive so far. I have found the instructors to be highly knowledgeable in their respective fields, consistently well prepared for class, and always willing to answer questions or explore specific topics in greater depth, both during class and through email. I also enjoy hearing about the instructors’ previous work assignments and cases, as these examples provide real-world context and demonstrate how the concepts we are learning can be applied to practical scenarios and challenges.
One pleasant surprise of the program has been how much I have learned from my classmates and their diverse professional backgrounds. While I expected to learn primarily from the instructors, many of my classmates have experience and exposure to forensic accounting cases and client work, in audit roles, at accounting firms, or with securities commissions and regulators. Being able to interact with and learn from both my classmates and instructors has been a significant advantage and an unexpected highlight of the program.
One challenge I did not fully anticipate was balancing the program with my professional and personal responsibilities. The weekly readings, assignments, and exam preparation require a significant investment of time and energy. As a result, I have had to be very intentional about planning my schedule at the beginning of each week to ensure I can stay on track and meet all program requirements without falling behind.
How would you describe the academic environment in the MFAcc program at the University of Toronto?
I have found the academic environment in the MFAcc program to be very positive and encouraging. Both the instructors and my classmates are highly supportive and professional, which makes me feel confident that I belong and can succeed in the program.
Additionally, the environment strikes a balance between collaboration and healthy competition. It is highly collaborative, as instructors and classmates are always willing to offer advice and share their personal experiences for the benefit of others. At the same time, it is competitive in a constructive way, as many classmates strive to perform at their best, motivating each other—and ourselves—to improve and excel after each course.
How do you see the forensic accounting field evolving in the next few years, and what role do you hope to play in it?
The forensic accounting field is very important today and is only going to become more so in the coming years. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), many routine tasks, both personal and professional, have become more efficient. Unfortunately, AI has also created new opportunities for fraudulent and unethical behavior that were not as easily possible in the past. For this reason, forensic accounting expertise and work products will be increasingly needed across all organizations and industries to detect, prevent, and address fraudulent activities.
In the future, I hope to play an active role in preventing fraud and other unethical behavior, helping businesses and organizations operate effectively and in ways that are sustainable over the long term.