The CFE: More Than Just a Credential

Tiffany at the 28th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Nashville in June.

GUEST BLOGGER

Tiffany Couch, CFE,CPA/CFF, Former ACFE Regent
Principal, Acuity Forensics

It was July 18, 2010, and I was putting the finishing touches on my PowerPoint presentation. I was nervous. You see, the ACFE had invited me to be a speaker at the ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Washington, D.C. the following week. I was giddy, but extremely nervous about this first-time opportunity. I wanted to get my presentation just right. My family and I were visiting my parents in California, and just before my dad retired to bed early (he lived the "early to bed, early to rise" life!), I walked him through my presentation.

“I sure am proud of you, punkin,” he said as he patted me on the shoulder. He called for his grandkids to give him hugs and went to bed. Those would be the last words my dad ever spoke to me. During the night, he had a massive stroke that he never recovered from and that would take him from us just 30 days later.

The first few days after the stroke, we had high hopes that he would recover. And even though he couldn’t speak, my dad was still being a dad from that hospital bed. As an example, we were contemplating whether or not I should fly from California to Washington, D.C. to attend the conference and he pointed to the door, directing me to “go.” 

I weighed that decision heavily. My chance to speak at the largest fraud conference on the planet was a huge professional “win” for me, for sure. Of course, Dad would want me to go! But the thought of being 3,000 miles away in such an untenable situation was just too much. I sheepishly made the call to Austin to let the ACFE know that I needed to bow out of the conference at the last minute. I was thinking for sure that my big chance was flying out the window, just like the hope that we held for Dad’s recovery.

Before I could get the sentence out of my mouth, Allan Bachman, the ACFE’s former education manager, cut me off. The only words out of his mouth were expressions of genuine care. “We have you covered,” he said. “Do not give it a second thought. We will be thinking of you and your family.” I learned that there had even been an announcement during my scheduled breakout session for warm thoughts for my family. I was blown away by the kindness I experienced from an association that up until that point, I had “only” held a credential from.

Since 2010, I have had the opportunity to become a faculty member and an ACFE Regent. I have attended more than 12 conferences, taught or attended countless seminars, and met hundreds of fellow CFEs. I have learned that holding a CFE credential is so much more than the three additional initials next to my name, and so much more than the training I have received. Some of what I have realized is the value of:

• Professional connections: The number of professional connections I’ve made through my attendance at various ACFE events has expanded my professional network beyond my imagination. My professional Rolodex includes the director of investigations at a large publicly-traded company, the Bernie Madoff whistleblower, current and former CIA and FBI agents, and a host of people making huge differences in our profession. The depth and breadth of experience walking the halls of a typical fraud conference is truly astounding. As a self-employed person, that Rolodex is certainly an asset when I have a question on a case, need to refer work to a different expert or need to collaborate on a large engagement.
• Meaningful friendships: I met Janet McHard when she taught the seminar Auditing for Internal Fraud in August of 2004 before I had the credential or knew very much about what being a CFE was really all about. She was someone I very much emulated. You see, at that time she had the kind of career I could only dream of! She was gracious enough to answer my phone calls and emails, encourage me when I left my “dream job” to start a forensic accounting firm, and reach out during professional challenges of her own. Janet is just one of many professional connections who have translated to meaningful friendships that will last beyond our careers. I am forever grateful for these relationships and the meaning they bring to my life.
• Lifelong learning: I may be a faculty member for the ACFE, but I can’t possibly articulate how much I often learn from the attendees at any one of our many trainings. Attend a training or a conference, and not only will you be taught by a master in the field, you will likely find yourself sitting next to one, too. And when you surround yourself with masters, it only leads to one thing: mastering your own game. There is no shortage of learning you can absorb from ACFE events, local chapter events or just hanging out with the truly awesome people in our profession.

I am often asked what the CFE credential means. To me, it means so much more than just how to investigate fraud, interview suspects and write reports for lawyers, judges and juries. The CFE means camaraderie and professional support. It means fun. But more than that, it means we belong to a group of people who care about each other beyond the professional confines that originally brought us together.

Being a CFE has been a game-changer in my professional career and personal life. I am proud to be among your ranks.

The Power of Knowing, Accepting and Using Your Professional Strengths and Weaknesses

AUTHOR’S POST

Mandy Moody, CFE
ACFE Content Manager

Do micromanagers know they are micromanagers? Are coworkers who are not replying to emails intentionally ignoring you? Does that mean they don’t like you or they don’t value your time and energy? Do people who don’t speak up in meetings not care about the topic at hand? I would guess that the answer to most of these questions is no. In reality, they are each behaving in a manner that is most comfortable for them. They are not aware that others, who have their own and different way of doing things, are not connecting or understanding them.

Jean O’Brien, executive coach, trainer and speaker, is one of the career coaches at this year’s 28th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference. In the Career Connection booth in the Exhibit Hall, she will be administering one of the most beneficial personality assessments one can take when addressing professional awareness — the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). I caught up with Jean last week and asked her to break down the importance of the MBTI and explain just how valuable it can be for career development. “The MBTI provides skills to 'talk' another’s language, and confidently step out of your comfort zone to best interact and communicate with different personalities,” she said. “Without this insight and awareness, we miss opportunities every day to build a successful business-leadership expertise.”   

What exactly is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and why is it so valuable?
The MBTI assessment is a series of questions that reveals our preference for the way we collect information, make decisions and what attitude we prefer to use as we interact with the world. An example such as, “Do you take initiative in making contact with others or do you let others initiate first contact and begin conversations?” conveys insight into the way you prefer to act, make decisions or manage conflict. This information identifies the tools you need to clearly and effectively communicate with others.

Why do you think this personality test is so beneficial for fraud examiners?
Fraud examiners have specific, specialized skills that are highly valued for observing and communicating information that may not be apparent. They prepare evidence, testify in court, interview witnesses, coordinate investigative efforts and advise businesses on ways to improve fraud detection to justify actions. The MBTI will enhance their skills in situations for career development, interviewing and networking that may be out of their comfort zones. It will help them be confident in environments that may be challenging or stressful.

Do you have a story that conveys why this exercise is so valuable?
In my experience, every MBTI situation has made a significant difference, increased awareness, provided an avenue to adapt when appropriate and to make changes for improved relationships. In one example, an organization referred a person to me for coaching who was going to be terminated if he did not become more aware, learn new skills and make adjustments necessary for his success as a valued employee. Good people were leaving because of him and behaviors had to change. He completed the MBTI assessment and we explored every detail, observing how and why his micromanagement style of telling people what to do impeded employees rather than allowing their capable knowledge, experience and expertise to be effective for the team. Through examples seen from the other person’s perspective, he began to see how he was limiting growth and success. It took patience and practice for him to observe his behaviors and the reactions of others. He worked hard, and with appropriate changes, open conversations and actions he was able to regain his leadership, confident that he and his team were preforming well. He was recognized by the company, sought out as an expert as someone who learned to combine knowledge, confidence and power to represent the organization internally and publicly.    

You can find Jean at the Career Connection Booth in the Exhibit Hall at the upcoming ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Nashville, June 18-23. She will be administering MBTI assessments and providing coaching for $50 per session. Register for a session today!