By Joshua L. Adams, Alumnus, Criminal Justice at American Military University
Today’s competitive job market is filled with employers seeking applicants who have a combination of higher education, work experience, and relevant professional certifications. The field of criminal justice is no different. Many officers may not think certifications are important, but with the growth of specialized units it has become increasingly important for officers to demonstrate their expertise.
One area often overlooked by officers is the investigation of financial or “white collar” crimes. The most well-known credential for this specialty is the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification. CFEs are professionals who have received training in the prevention, detection, deterrence, and investigation of fraud. They have also been trained to identify the warning signs that indicate potential fraud or high levels of fraud risk. This credential is sought not only by law enforcement agencies, but also by private-sector companies and financial institutions that need personnel to investigate such crimes.
[Related: Time to Crack Down on Phishing and Other White-Collar Crimes]
Earning the Certified Fraud Examiner Certification
The Certified Fraud Examiner certification is awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). To become a CFE, an individual must submit documentation that they have a minimum of two years professional experience and accumulated 50 points, which is based off a system that awards points for higher education, professional affiliations, and work experience. If a candidate has more than 40 but less than 50 points, he or she can still take the exam but will not be awarded certification until they have achieved 50 points.
The Certified Fraud Examiner exam requires individuals to pass a rigorous 500-question test on fraud that includes information on fraud prevention and deterrence techniques, knowledge of financial transactions and schemes, skills in investigation techniques, and the legalities of fraud investigations.
[Related: Beware of the White-Collar Criminal, Turned Red-Collar Criminal]
My Experience Taking the CFE
I decided to pursue this certification after a fellow law enforcement officer retired following more than 20 years of service and had trouble starting another career. His experience was the wakeup call I needed to start pursuing a certification and broaden my expertise. I had been under the illusion that when it came time to pursue a second career, my many years of public service would be enough to open doors for me. But after seeing my colleague struggle with his career transition, I realized I needed to do more to prepare for my next career.
I spent two weeks straight, day and night, studying for this exam. Some people spend months studying. It depends on how much time you can dedicate to it and what kind of learner you are. Here are three ways to study for the Certified Fraud Examiner exam:
- Purchase the Online Course. You can purchase the preparatory course in online format or buy a CD and download the prep course directly to your computer. Many people prefer this method as the prep course has a bank of more than 1,000 questions and takes the student through a focused study program. The benefit of this method is that students can learn on their own time. The drawback is that the prep course costs about $745 for a member of ACFE and $945 for a non-member and students do not have an instructor whom they can ask questions.
- Attend a four day in-person seminar. This intense course is taught by an ACFE instructor and covers all four sections of the exam. This in-class option is well-suited for those who prefer learning from an instructor rather than following an online guide. However, many people must take time off work and travel to attend this class. Classes are offered monthly at various locations within the United States.
- Study on Your Own. Students can download the 2,000-page fraud manual and study it on their own. This is not the preferred method because reading 2,000 pages of material can be overwhelming. However, this can be a good option for those who are on a tight budget and have strong reading comprehension and study skills.
Other Certification Options
Officers who want some kind of certification but are not interested in the Certified Fraud Examiner certification should consider other options such as the:
- Certified Law Enforcement Analyst Program (CLEA). This certification is for those interested in becoming crime analysts.
- Forensic certifications from the International Association of Identification (IAI). This association offers a variety of certifications from bloodstain pattern to footwear certifications geared toward crime scene investigators.
- EnCase Certified Examiner Certification (EnCE). This certification is for those interested in a career in digital and computer forensics.
Don’t Make Excuses
Another common excuse is that officers feel they do not have the time. Trust me, you can find the time. I work full time, have two small children under the age of five, have a wife who works full time, and am currently enrolled in two graduate school classes in pursuit of my Ph.D. You can find the time for things you want to do. Start preparing today for your next career by figuring out which certification best fits your interests and skills and get going today.
Wherever your interests lie, there is a relevant professional certification. The key is not to let yourself come up with excuses about why you should not do it. One of the common reasons law enforcement officers choose not to pursue additional certifications is because of cost. While purchasing study materials does cost money, if you have military experience you may be able to use the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post-9/11 GI Bill to reimburse you for the cost of the exam (this does not cover the cost of study materials). I used my GI Bill to reimburse me for the $250 cost of taking the CFE exam. It is also worth asking if your department offers scholarships or other reimbursement programs for such certifications. There may be training money available that you are not aware of – it never hurts to ask your supervisor.
About the Author: Joshua L. Adams has been in law enforcement for 13 years. He is certified by the Department of Defense to supervise and investigate misdemeanor and felony level crimes as a supervisory special agent of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID). Joshua has planned, conducted, and supervised more than 200 significant and complex investigations involving violations of Title 18 U.S. Code and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) including fraud, rape, murder, sexual assault, arson, conspiracy and child pornography. Joshua is a 2014 graduate of American Military University, earning his master’s degree in criminal justice, and is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice. He is also a member of the Kappa Kappa Chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society at AMU.