Q & A with Felicia Bland

Felicia Bland of Missouri recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Washington, DC. In her free time, Felicia enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures. Felicia also enjoys spending time with her family. This past September, however, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. As a bank examiner, receiving the credential and going through the training provided Felicia with a foundation of knowledge that will enable her to better identify, investigate, and interview individuals when fraud is suspected.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Bland: I became certified October 1, 2015

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Washington and following the course you sat for the CFE Exam on-site. Please describe your experience of participating in the 4-day course and then sitting for the exam immediately after.

Bland: The experience was intense and exhausting, but rewarding. As a result, I learned a lot.

Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course?

Bland: The CFE Exam Review Course provided much needed context to facilitate a deeper understanding of the course content. The instructors were very knowledgeable about the subject content and were able to provide "real-world” examples to help drive home points related to the course content. The course content was substantive and applicable to the program.

Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Bland: In my current role as an examiner of financial institutions, I review books and records of banks and try to detect possible fraudulent activity, particularly among bank directors, officers, and executives. This CFE credential and the training and testing that lead to it has provided a foundation/baseline knowledge that will enable me to better identify, investigate, and interview individuals when fraud is suspected.

Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?

Bland: My current position is extremely demanding and allowed me NO time to prepare or study prior to the on-site course. I spent time during every break, lunch, and after class each day reading and studying materials to help me better prepare for the exam.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Bland: I highly recommend this course to any person working in an examiner or auditor role. I particularly recommend this course to anyone who wants to sit for the CFE examination on-site.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Bland: Since the start of my career as a bank examiner 15 years ago, I have been passionate about fighting fraud. I feel that most companies lose more of their revenue to internal and external fraud than any other source. As a person with a strong desire to one day own my own business, it is important for me to be passionate about detecting and fighting fraud.

Coach: Now that we know what you do professionally, what do you like to do for fun and what do you find enjoyable about it?

Bland: I love to travel. I find that visiting other cities, states, and countries provides an insight into the cultural differences among people, which enables me to understand some of the things that occur around the world. I also love to spend time with my grandchildren. They are my joy!

Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Bland: I recommend taking time to study the Prep Course materials. Additionally, spend time studying after class each night.

Thank you for your time and congratulations on your new CFE credential.