The Forensic Accounting Profession and Becoming a CFE: An Integrative Project for an Introductory Fraud Examination Course

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Displays
  In Poster Session: Poster 8

Abstract

Forensic and investigative accounting is one of the fastest growing fields in the accounting profession. Most accounting students find the forensic accounting and fraud examination profession intrinsically interesting, yet have little to no real knowledge of the specific skills, knowledge, training, and academic/professional preparation necessary to enter the field and/or to become a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). The presenter will share an integrative project developed an as an effective teaching strategy in an introductory Forensic and Investigative Accounting course at Husson University to better acquaint students with the Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination profession. The project, in the form of a written reflective paper entitled “The Forensic Accounting Profession and Becoming a CFE”, has been successfully implemented during the past two offerings of this course and has been well received by the students. As a result, an increasing number of students have expressed an interest in forensic accounting field as a prospective career path.

The project consists of three key components: Part 1 – Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination as a Career; Part 2 – Specific Jobs in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination; and Part 3 – Becoming a CFE. In each part of the project, students are required to conduct independent research including but not limited to: 1) visiting both the AICPA and ACFE websites; 2) finding and analyzing actual job postings for forensic and investigative accounting positions in both private industry and governmental/non-profit settings; 3) learning the specific requirements to become a CFE, including the format and content of the CFE exam and options for best preparing for it; and 4) reviewing the ACFE code of ethics and continuing professional educational requirements necessary to maintain the CFE designation. In addition, students are required to address a number of reflective questions including the specific type(s) of positons for which they feel they are particularly well suited, the additional training/coursework needed above and beyond their accounting courses, and how they might meet the “point” requirements necessary for CFE certification given their current educational and professional plans.

The presenter will disseminate the detailed requirements of the project to interested parties and present exemplars of individual student work. In addition, the presenter will share anecdotally how his own experiences in developing the course, advising students, and personally attaining the Certified Fraud Examiner designation influenced the development and evolution of both this project and the course.

Author

• Robert William Duron, Husson University