What is a Certified Fraud Examiner?
We live in a time where there is more opportunity than ever for fraud. That’s why it’s important to have trained experts who know the ins and outs of identifying and combating fraud in its most complex forms.
A certified fraud examiner (CFE) is a trained professional with the educational background to work closely with businesses and organizations to stop fraud before it starts. Additionally, they are trained to design fraud prevention and detection programs and to investigate fraud and other financial crimes. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), professionals with this qualification earn an average of 17% more than their non-certified colleagues.1
These experts exhibit skills such as knowledge of complex financial transactions, understanding of investigative techniques and legal issues, the ability to resolve allegations of fraud, and the ability to design effective anti-fraud programs.
On this page, you’ll learn about potential CFE career paths, how to become a CFE, who generally pursues this certification, and the eligibility requirements.
Where Can I Work as a CFE?
Certified fraud examiners are well-equipped to work in a variety of job settings in the accounting and auditing fields. Some potential career paths are:1
- Forensic accounting
- Government accounting
- Public accounting
- External and internal auditing
- Compliance
- Risk management
- Private-sector and public-sector investigating
How to Become a Certified Fraud Examiner
In order to become a certified fraud examiner, you must pass the CFE exam. The test is made up of four sections, each with 100 multiple choice questions, and can be taken either online with a remote proctor or in person at a Prometric testing center.
The exam includes the following four subject areas:1
Who Usually Pursues a CFE credential?
Professionals who seek the certified fraud examiner credential meet the requirements of the ACFE Eligibility Points System. This entails some combination of fraud prevention work experience and college education. CFE applicants are ready to take their careers to the next level when it comes to opportunities and pay. They are willing to abide by the ACFE’s code of ethics and to use their skills responsibly.1
Certified Fraud Examiner Requirements
There are five main requirements to becoming a certified fraud examiner as outlined by the ACFE:1
- Associate membership to the ACFE
- 50 points in the ACFE Eligibility Points System
- A minimum of two years of fraud-related work experience
- Correctly answering at least 75% of CFE exam question in each section
- Agreement to abide by the ACFE code of professional ethics
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Sources:
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. “Membership.” Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://acfe.com/.