Q&A with Elizabeth Bourgeois

Elizabeth Bourgeois of Louisiana received her CFE credential this past spring after attending a CFE Exam Review Course. Bourgeois feels that the CFE credential has enhanced her credibility as a financial examiner. When Bourgeois is not working, she spends a great deal of time as a volunteer banding waterfowl and assisting in attaching telemetry units to migrating ducks and geese.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Bourgeois: I was certified as a fraud examiner in May 2019.

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

Bourgeois: Even though I had practiced on the CFE Exam Prep Course and received high marks prior to testing, I still wanted to attend the Review Course. I’m very glad that I did because the interaction with the instructors and other students was of great value. I have a background in forensics and regulatory compliance, but there were a lot of things that the course covered that I had never worked with before. The instructors were awesome at relating the information, and that was crucial in making the concepts stick. Also, there was such a diverse group of people attending the class, which made for great feedback and multiple perspectives.

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

Bourgeois: The instructors! How they were able to take this type of material and make it so interesting and relatable was awesome. A lot of the stuff we covered is not necessarily interesting, if you get my drift. They were able to teach these concepts in such an entertaining way. I’ve attended many training schools in the past that were provided by regulatory agencies, but none were ever as lively and enjoyable as the Review Course in Washington, DC.

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

Bourgeois: It certainly enhances my credibility. The moment someone hears “Certified Fraud Examiner,” you can see a change in their posture. It conveys a seriousness and a sense of authority.

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

Bourgeois: I took the online Prep Course beforehand. I immediately took the test each day after class. I was well prepared after the day’s lecture.

Coach: Would you recommend the Review Course to your colleagues?

Bourgeois: Absolutely, I will recommend this course to my colleagues.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Bourgeois: I went to work as a bank examiner the Monday after I graduated from college. I loved it! Every audit was a new challenge. It’s like solving a psychological thriller—only with financial clues!

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?

Bourgeois: I spend a great deal of time as a volunteer banding waterfowl and assisting in attaching telemetry units to migrating ducks and geese. I get to touch a lot of wild birds who fly over 10,000 miles a year. It’s pretty amazing.

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

Bourgeois: Pay attention to your instructors; they are the backbone of getting you through this.