What is the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners?

association of certified fraud examiners

Founded in 1988, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is ranked as the leading and largest anti-fraud organization in the world and is an entity a person with a forensic accounting degree may want to associate. ACFE is active in providing quality anti-fraud education and training. Approximately 85,000 people are members of ACFE.

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Mission

The overarching mission of ACFE is to reduce the incidence of white-collar crime and fraud. The organization also assists in fraud deterrence, prevention, and detection. AFCE accomplishes its mission in a number of different ways.

AFCE administers a Certified Fraud Examiner Examination. The exam establishes specific qualifications for a certified fraud examiner.

The organization has established a solid reputation for establishing high standards for membership admission. These include demonstrating consistent competence via mandatory continuing education programming. AFCE mandates adherence to a strict code of professional ethics and conduct.

AFCE is the recognized international representative for certified fraud examiners. This includes representation to governmental and academic institutions.

As part of its mission, ACFE is committed to providing leadership that inspires public confidence. AFCE is dedicated to inspiring confidence in the professionalism, objectivity, and integrity of certified fraud examiners.

Ranking: Top 15 Online Master’s in Forensic Accounting

Certified Fraud Examiner Credential

AFCE oversees the certification of fraud examiners. A certified fraud examiner (CFE) credential demonstrates that an individual has expertise in fraud detection, prevention, and deterrence. A credentialed professional is trained to identify warning signs indicative of fraud or a risk or fraud.

A CFE is deemed to have a unique skill set that is not found elsewhere. Many certified individuals earned a forensic accounting degree. They also possess knowledge of complex financial transactions, including underlying methodology and law.

CFE Examination

The examination established by AFCE is rigorous and focuses on four major areas that encompass the overall fraud detection and prevention body of knowledge. These are:

  • fraud prevention and deterrence
  • financial transactions and fraud schemes
  • investigation
  • law

Eligibility for the examination requires membership in ACFE. An application must be made to ACFE to take the exam. The examination itself can be taken online or via downloaded copy. No two examinations are identical to protect the integrity of the process.

Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference

One of the major activities of ACFE is the annual Global Fraud Conference. The conference is now entering its fourth decade.

The ACFE Global Fraud Conference includes over 100 educational sessions. A participant can earn up to 40 continuing education credits during the confab. Over 3,000 fraud prevention professionals attend the annual conference.

Every year, an incredible lineup of speakers present during the gathering. These include well-known presenters from a variety of professions and industries. According to ACFE, recent conference speakers include:

  • Eric O’Neill – Cybersecurity expert
  • Bryan Fogel – Academy Award® winning director and writer of ICARUS
  • David Barboza – Investigative journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner
  • Marc Goodman Global strategist, cyber security expert, and New York Times best-selling author
  • Louis Freeh – Former FBI Director
  • Richard Dreyfuss – Academy-Award® winning actor

Many benefits exist to membership in AFCE. These include the enhancement of a professional’s reputation. An individual with a forensic accounting degree should consider obtaining membership in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

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