CFE Commands Respect While Generating Fraud Awareness

MEMBER PROFILE

Davis Kallukaran, CFE, Founder and Managing Partner
Horwath Mak Ghazali
Sultanate of Oman

Having founded Horwath Mak Ghazali, one of the top five auditing and business advisory firms in the Sultanate of Oman, Davis Kallukaran, CFE, has worked hard to command respect and receive recognition for his hard work. He says “everything depends upon how you package yourself, like any other product – it is personal branding that is crucial for the profession.” Kallukaran shares how being involved in professional organizations locally and internationally helps to develop his personal brand and adds credibility to his organization’s name.

Where were you born and raised?  
I was born in India, in the state of Kerala. I had my early education in my home town of Trissur.

How did you become involved with the ACFE?  
In 1995, I founded the firm Ghazali Mak and Associates in the Sultanate of Oman in association with Mak and Associates from Dubai and Muna Al Ghazali, an Omani National. The firm evolved over the years, and since 2008 it has been a member-firm of Crowe Horwath, a top 10 global accounting network. Horwath Mak Ghazali was continuously engaged by the courts as expert auditors in various cases. These developments aroused my enthusiasm to look into the activities of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I was awarded the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential in 2006. Due to the inadequate numbers of qualified CFEs in Oman our attempt to establish a chapter did not materialize until this year. The chapter was established on June 7, 2015, and I am proud to be one of the board members.

What are the best opportunities for someone entering into your career? 
I should say that the sky is the limit for people entering into the accounting and auditing professions. Apart from the regular audit, tax and risk advisory services, forensic accounting, corporate finance, management consultancy practices and corporate governance are opening up a plethora of opportunities for professionals. Courts are very much dependent upon forensic professionals to provide expert opinions and accountants are required in every field of business.

What do you wish you had known (but didn’t) when you first contemplated founding the firm?  In my earlier days of practice I never understood the value of international associations. Prior to setting up the firm in Oman, I never ever imagined that a brand value can be strategically developed. A brand is not going to give you any mileage unless you create brand awareness in your local market. The same goes with your qualifications. A highly qualified person will not be effective unless he engages his qualifications effectively and thereby creates value. The local chapters have a great responsibility to create awareness about the contributions that CFEs can bring to any organization.

When you are not working, what types of things do you enjoy doing?  
When I am not working I like to spend time with my wife, Elizabeth, and our children. God willing, we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary next year. The three boys are all grown up now. I also like reading inspirational books and listening to Hindi Music.

Read Davis' full profile in the Career Center on ACFE.com.

In the Trenches: ACFE Vancouver Chapter President Investigates Fraud

MEMBER PROFILE

Carmen Wiechers, CFE
President, ACFE Vancouver Chapter

Since earning the CFE credential in 2005, Carmen Wiechers has been a steady presence on the Board of Directors of the ACFE Vancouver Chapter. Wiechers is the Western Canada Regional Loss Prevention Manager for Value Village, the largest privately held, for-profit thrift retailer with more than 330 stores across North America.

What career path led you to become a CFE and involved with your local chapter?

I have worked in the Retail Loss Prevention Industry for more than 18 years in a multi-unit capacity, gaining a broad exposure to the industry and holding various positions including Senior Investigator, Regional Manager and National Director.

I decided to return to my roots and am currently working as Western Canada’s Regional Loss Prevention Manager for Value Village. I prefer to be in the trenches educating employees, preventing and investigating fraud. My current position affords a healthy work-life balance allowing me to invest more time with family, hobbies and play a very active role in the Vancouver Chapter.

What new initiatives do you have planned for the chapter?

I recognize that obtaining high quality speakers is paramount for the chapter members’ anti-fraud education and its membership outreach and retention.

I am excited about the newly forged partnership with the Justice Institute of B.C., Canada’s leading public safety and security educator, offering a wide curriculum such as court administration, sheriff, law enforcement and corrections programs.

The chapter will jointly host a half day training session in May 2014 bringing young and mature students together with seasoned anti-fraud professionals.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

I enjoy playing the cello, carving stone or wood and dabbling with acrylic abstracts on canvas. I started taking cello lessons four years ago and learned to read music at the same time. I am very fond of classical music and the cello is very soulful. It comes closest to the human voice in my opinion.

Read Carmen's full profile on our new chapter blog at ACFEChapterNews.com.

Maintaining Strong Ethical Culture is All in a Day's Work

MEMBER PROFILE

Dora Gomez, CFE, Global Fraud Officer, AXA Tech 
Jersey City, N.J.

Dora Gomez, CFE, a native New Yorker, began an early passion for travel, thanks to her parents, and was even a DJ for four years during college. But it was Gomez's passion for fighting fraud that led her to her current position as Global Fraud Officer at AXA Tech.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Brooklyn, New York, a first-generation American to Ecuadorian parents. I grew up in a multi-cultural neighborhood, which taught me to build friendships with people of other ethnicities. I also learned to love an array of international foods, which I appreciate to this day. At heart, I am still a true New Yorker.   

How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

I think I always had the "bug" inside of me to fight fraud. When I worked in public accounting and internal audit I was exposed some cases of fraud and learned how to spot the signs of fraud. It’s vital for the company to have strong ethical principles where employees feel empowered to speak up when something seems wrong. It’s not just about the company’s reputation, it also about working for a company we feel proud to be a part of.

What is your personal motto?

Take risks in life, be confident, and don’t underestimate yourself. I learned that during an expat assignment in Paris. Not only was it an eye opener to learn how the company functioned at the headquarter level, but I also learned about the French culture and those of other European countries. I overcame obstacles (not speaking French, making new friends, working with new colleagues, etc.) but tackled them and learned from that experience. The only constants that I brought with me were my two small dogs … that also learned to bark in French!

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

I don’t know if I can actually name one great achievement. I think I did pretty well in my career and personal life for a middle class ‘kid’ from Brooklyn, NY. Let’s face it, being a minority and a woman has its challenges and tackling them requires persistence and determination. I have overcome many obstacles in life (both personal and work related), and I am proud and happy with the person I am today.

Read Gomez's full profile on ACFE.com in the Career Center.