Resolution #2: Continue to Go Global
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#2: BROADEN OUR GLOBAL REACH WITH MORE GLOBAL INITIATIVES
GUEST BLOGGER
Anil Narayan
ACFE Global Business Development Manager
Sure, I knew all about Enron, WorldCom and Bernie Madoff. Having worked in international telecommunications for the past 15 years, I was quite familiar with how easily and quickly billions of dollars could be forfeited due to undetected fraudulent activity. However, prior to applying for my newly created position here in the fall of 2012, I wasn’t aware of the ACFE nor of the Certified Fraud Examiner credential. With some research, I quickly learned of the critical role CFEs play in the fight against fraud and the invaluable array of knowledge and skills they bring to their organizations. In accepting this new job, I have taken on the challenges of expanding the ACFE’s reach around the world as well as making my parents understand where I work for a living.
With a couple of months under my belt, I’ve found anti-fraud lingo to be a part of a language that professionals around the world are increasingly learning. Nearly 25 percent of the ACFE’s members reside outside of the U.S. and represent our fastest-growing demographic, with Asia and Africa seeing the largest rise in new membership over the past year. Our CFE Exam Review Course in Singapore last March and the ACFE Asia-Pacific Fraud Conference in Hong Kong in November 2012 were so successful, the events paved the way for ACFE courses to be offered in Melbourne, Jakarta and Shanghai in April 2013.
Historic conferences organized exclusively by ACFE Chapters in South Africa and Greece drew approximately 800 people to each venue, demonstrating the demand for anti-fraud education. Embracing the growth of the ACFE outside of the U.S., our biggest annual conference, projected to attract 2,400 attendees to Las Vegas in June 2013, has been officially renamed the 24th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference.
We also recently introduced the Global Spotlight on ACFE.com to celebrate the accomplishments of our members outside of the U.S., with the inaugural feature story showcasing the aforementioned first Hellenic Anti-Fraud Conference in Athens, Greece.
As we start the New Year, our focus is on the ACFE’s global events, beginning with the ACFE European Fraud Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, 17-19 March. By inviting prominent keynote speakers, such as former Europol Director Max-Peter Ratzel and Director-General of European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) Giovanni Kessler, we believe the ACFE will continue to draw record attendance to these events.
The ACFE, recognizing the need to enhance and support the growth trend outside of the U.S., launched its latest global initiative at the end of 2012. The first step was to create the Global Business Development Manager position and fill it with me, a product of three distinct cultures: Born and raised in Taiwan as an Indian expatriate, I only moved to the U.S. at the age of 18. I believe I can bring a unique international perspective to the organization and act as the voice of our members around the world, to whom I assure:
我們在聽。
We are listening.