90-Day CFE Exam Challenge Success Story: Kelly Houston
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Kelly Houston, CFE, has worked in local government for 22 years. She began in the sheriff’s office, spent the majority of her career in the finance department and then moved to a newly formed Internal Audit Department in 2018. In addition to her “normal” career, she is also the registrar for the North Carolina/South Carolina International Association of Arson Investigators Conference, the chair of her church’s administrative council, and co-lead for a ministry called “Car Care,” which offers routine maintenance on vehicles for single parents, seniors and disabled people at no cost.
Kelly and her husband have two children — a 23-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. She and her family reside near Asheville, NC. In the beautiful mountains, they love to spend their time camping and being outdoors. They have three dogs who, of course, love to tag along on their outdoors adventures as well.
In October of 2020, Kelly signed up for the 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge. However, it was not her first challenge. She joined a previous challenge during the outset of the pandemic, thinking she would have all kinds of free time in the evenings to study. However, she was reassigned at work to assist the emergency services department during the day and spent most nights trying to catch up on her regular job responsibilities. But Kelly was determined. She continued to study outside of the challenge groups and came to the October-December challenge ready to get her CFE Exam knocked out!
Along the way, she was a constant source of support and encouragement to other participants. Her story of success, determination and grit inspires those around her, and she has some advice to share for anyone planning to join the upcoming challenge.
Why did you join the 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge?
I joined the 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge to ensure accountability for myself. Many professionals are busy with their families, careers, volunteer work and enjoying life. Obtaining professional milestones is quite an endeavor. My little secret is that I joined the 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge three times, and I want others to know that it is okay! Life happens and careers get busy. The key is to pick yourself back up and continue on your journey, even if it takes you longer than your original goal. The unexpected benefit I gained from each of the challenges was meeting other professionals and forming virtual friendships.
What did your study method look like?
I utilized the CFE Exam Prep Course, which was a huge benefit to me in my studying. I am also a note-taker. In all aspects of my life, when I am learning new material, I write notes. This is how the information “sticks” in my brain. It does slow down my study pace, but I know it works best for me, so I stick with it. With these two tools and methods, I would go through the Prep Course. If there were areas that I got incorrect, or even got correct (but only by guessing), I would review that section in the Fraud Examiners Manual and take some handwritten notes. At the end of each study session, I would review my handwritten notes.
How did the challenge help you accomplish your goal of passing the CFE Exam?
One word — accountability. Even when my life got busy, having encouragement from the ACFE staff and mentors, as well as check-ins and tips, kept me focused each week to stay on target with study goals. Even though I did not complete the exam in the first 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge, I still maintained a level of studying (just not at the pace to complete in 90 days), and I believe that was the winning element for me.
What did it feel like when you got the email saying you'd passed? How did you celebrate?
It was an amazing weight lifted off my shoulders! This was a goal I had been working on for quite some time. When the pandemic initially began, I thought I would have a lot of free time to devote to studying. However, at work, I was reassigned to the county’s emergency services department full time for four months to assist the logistics crew with personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory management, recordkeeping and more. Therefore, my second challenge attempt did not get met. For me, the third time was the charm.
What advice do you have for challenge participants who are preparing for the CFE Exam?
Do not give up! Even if you don’t complete the exam on your first challenge, sign up for the next one. Give yourself grace because you are a busy professional juggling many aspects of life. If you keep working on it, even a little at a time, you will meet your goals.
The 90-Day CFE Exam Challenge provides participants with study tips and peer support to help them stay motivated and on track to reach their goal of passing the CFE Exam. The upcoming challenge begins April 1 and ends on June 30.
