Q&A with Jodie Camp, CFE

Jodie Camp of Arizona received her CFE credential this past spring after attending a CFE Exam Review Course. Camp works in forensic accounting and feels that her new CFE credential will open new doors of opportunity and help her in fighting fraud. When Camp is not working, she enjoys working on puzzles for hours with her husband. She also loves dogs and spending time at the zoo.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Camp: I received my CFE credential in June 2019

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

Camp: The instructors were excellent. Basically, they reviewed all that I learned from the online CFE Exam Prep Course, but they made it easier to understand by sharing their own experiences and examples of fraud from the headlines. By sharing this information in relation to what was being reviewed, it helped to understand the information clearly and effectively.

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

Camp: The best thing about the Review Course is that you can take the exam after reviewing each section, when everything is fresh in your mind. In addition, some of the more difficult topics were reviewed in more detail, and you could ask questions or speak with one of the instructors during breaks if you did not understand something or, you could talk and/or review with fellow students.

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

Camp: I have been working in accounting all my life, more than 35 years. In 2018, I received my master’s degree in accounting, with a specialization in forensic accounting. I saw a position for a fraud examiner, and I asked myself: Why not enhance my experience and degree with a CFE credential to open new doors of opportunity and help fight fraud in the health care field or, more specifically, Medicare?

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

Camp: I prepared myself to sit for the exam on-site by utilizing the online Prep Course. I spent additional time after each class talking with fellow students and learning from their experiences. For the most part, I did not review the material after the class; I relaxed and let the information sink in, as there was a great deal of information that we went over each day. However, I did review the materials and my notes prior to each exam.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Camp: I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to get into or advance their career in fighting fraud. Honestly, I would recommend this to anyone in accounting, as there is a great deal of information that can help someone recognize fraud—some of which I never would have imagined.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Camp: I became passionate about fraud while getting my master’s degree. The forensic specialization portion of my degree showed me that anyone can commit fraud. I was amazed by the amount of fraud committed by people and their reasons or reasoning for doing so. Sometimes it was blatant fraud, and other times it escalated and got out of control by one simple fraudulent act. Health care fraud seems to stand out a great deal, as I was surprised by the schemes by employees, doctors, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies. I know I am only one person, but if I can make a difference in any way, I would like to try.

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?

Camp: Puzzles! Puzzles are my go-to fun! Not just 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles—out back on the table, on the porch with my husband for hours on end—but accounting puzzles, auditing puzzles, fraud puzzles, and so on. Life is full of challenging puzzles, and I thrive on figuring out each one. I also love dogs and going to the zoo!

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

Camp: Everyone studies differently, but I found that utilizing all the resources that the ACFE offers is worth every penny, as well as getting involved with your local ACFE chapter. When you attend your local ACFE chapter events and/or seminars, guest speakers provide a great deal of information, and you will meet a lot of people who are currently working in fraud-related roles. That being said, my strongest suggestion is using the online Prep Course and taking the practice exams over and over until you've answered all of the questions in each section and can pass with a 90% or better. Also, be sure to read all of the information below each answer in the Review Sessions—this is especially helpful. If you don't understand, post your question on the discussion board because everyone is happy to help, or you can look it up in the ACFE’s Fraud Examiners Manual for more detailed information. CFEs, and CFEs-to-be, are a great community of people; they’re always there to help. Finally, after completing the Prep Course, I highly recommend going to the CFE Exam Review Course and taking the exams on-site.