Q&A with Abdullah Mansour, CFE
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Abdullah Mansour of Saudi Arabia received his CFE credential this past year after studying with the CFE Exam Prep Course. When Abdullah is not working in his position at a leading health insurance company, he enjoys managing an educational YouTube channel for children and designing coffee-themed T-shirts. Abdullah feels that his new credential has helped him improve his professional skills, and he believes it has afforded him new opportunities to invest in his career.
Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Mansour: I sat for the CFE Exam and received my CFE credential in April 2018.
Coach: Please describe your experience using the CFE Exam Prep Course?
Mansour: The Prep Course is a valuable source that is designed in an instructive way to help one learn; it enriched my knowledge. Also, the Prep Course develops skills and strategies to pass the exam.
The Prep Course is organized in three modules:
Optional Pre-Assessment Test (100 questions): This test evaluated my strengths and weaknesses. As a person in health care with a medical-knowledge background and health insurance experience, the Law and Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes sections were the areas I liked the most, but Investigation and Fraud Prevention and Deterrence were the sections I performed strongest in.
Review Sessions: These sessions consist of four sections with questions for review. I started with my stronger sections as the Prep Course advised. In Law and Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes, I started with quick reading for each chapter from the Fraud Examiners Manual before going through the review session questions. I want to clarify something regarding my quick reading in the areas I lack knowledge: I believe that quickly reading a chapter several times is more valuable than reading at a slower pace once or twice. Also, it is best to write down notes, especially in the Law section.
Practice Exams (400 questions): These practice exams simulate the actual CFE Exam environment. I completed each practice exam immediately after finishing the corresponding review session, and then I repeated each practice exam two to three times on the day before the real exam.
Coach: What did you like most about the Prep Course?
Mansour: I liked the design of the course and how it starts by spotting and evaluating an individual’s weaknesses and strengths; it then takes you through each review session and ends with a simulated exam environment. This order is logical, natural, and vital in gaining the knowledge to pass the exam.
Coach: How long did it take you to complete the Prep Course and how often did you study?
Mansour: I began studying in December 2017. It took me almost four months to study. Of my studying, 70% of it was for Law and Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes. I studied an average of ten hours per week.
Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Mansour: I am working for the leading health insurance company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. All that I learned in my journey to becoming a CFE has added to my capability and skills in investigations, meetings, analyses, and reports, which will support the quality of my work. Being certified from a highly credible organization makes me proud and confident. My CFE credential gives me a broader scope and new opportunities to invest in my career. I now can apply for vacancies worldwide or even become a one-of-a-kind ACFE Authorized Trainer.
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Mansour: For sure, and I already did recommend this course. It is one of the best investments I have made in my career.
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Mansour: I started my health insurance career in 2010 as a claims officer, and I became passionate about fighting fraud in my first days as I began to notice signs of manipulation and fraud in some claims. Within a short amount of time, and after flagging many fraud cases, I was promoted to senior positions, and then to medical audit manager. Currently, I am a rules manger looking for automation and digitalization of processes, which has made me more passionate in how to involve artificial intelligence in fraud fighting activities.
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?
Mansour: For fun, I am managing a YouTube channel named Healthcare and Life. I present some educational videos for children in this channel, and I tackle one of the most important topics nowadays, which is healthy food. In addition, I share videos about interesting destinations, nature, and eye-catching incidents that happen on a daily basis. I also make t-shirt designs that I sell online. What I find interesting about my hobbies is that they make me feel happy and relaxed, and, at the same time, it is a sort of help to others. Last but not least, one of the most precious moments of my day is drinking coffee, as well as preparing a couple of cups for some mates. In fact, I adore smelling coffee; I think I am addicted to coffee! I even started designing some coffee-themed shirts.
Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?
Mansour: Always start with the easier sections, whether in studying, reviewing, or taking the CFE Exam. Always scan your topic before doing the real studying. Take notes on any difficult points to be reviewed later.
