Everything You Need to Know About CFE

Author: Netrika Consultingindia

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professionally qualified person who detects and prevents fraud in any corporate organisation or industry, be it private or public. A CFE plays a crucial role in safeguarding the industry and more so in recent years with the growing emphasis on corporate governance and web of stricter regulations.

Who is a CFE?

CFEs are professional investigators who have been trained to identify and report cases of fraud and irregularities in financial or other domains of any organisation. They have expertise in reporting and dealing with financial crimes. They identify fraud cases by analysing financial transactions, analytics and use of other complex and sophisticated methods. Apart from private companies, financial institutions, and accounting firms, CFEs are also hired by government offices and law enforcement agencies. CFEs can also choose to work as independent consultants with different companies.

How to Become a Certified Fraud Examiner?

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is the largest anti-fraud organisation and trains and certifies hundreds of anti-fraud professionals worldwide. A certificate issued by ACFE is recognised worldwide. Netrika Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. is the only company that has ACFE authorised trainers, in India, to impart training for CFE.

Your eligibility to be certified is based upon a point system, which awards points for education, professional certifications and fraud-related work experience:

  • All candidates certified by the exam must have a minimum of 50 qualifying points and two full years of professional experience that is either directly or indirectly related to fraud.

  • The ACFE’s Board of Regents has established the following categories as acceptable fraud-related experience: Accounting, Auditing, Criminology, Investigation, Loss Prevention, Law Enforcement, or Legal experience as it relates to fraud

  • Applicants may take the CFE Exam with a total of 40 qualifying points, however all applicants must have 50 or more points and two years of fraud-related experience to become certified.

Why register for CFE?

An anti-fraud professional must understand that there are many benefits to the successful completion of the CFE certification program. The following points highlight some of the benefits of undertaking the course and being certified:

  • International Recognition

The CFE certification is internationally recognised by all, including government agencies. There is immense value addition that a CFE certified individual brings to any organisation which is noticeable on a global scale.

  • Wide range of Career Options

A certification opens a wide range of career options for CFEs. The candidate can work as an fraud examiner, compliance officer, forensic accountant, independent or public investigator, or law enforcement officer, etc.

  • Better Pay & Visibility

A certified CFE is paid 34% more than their non-certified colleagues and is valued for the additional skill-sets and expertise. Management and industry leaders look forward to their advice. All modules taught during the course are globally oriented. A trained CFEs have the advantage over other candidates not just during hiring; they are also given preference during promotion within the organisation.

  • Professionalism & Credibility

After going through rigorous and structured coursework, the certification highlights professionalism and adds credibility to the candidate’s actions.

  • Value to the Company

Research indicates that companies with CFEs have uncovered and resolved fraud cases much quicker and efficiently when compared with companies that did not have CFEs.