Q & A with Constance Robinson

Constance Robinson of Tennessee recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Austin, TX. In her free time, Constance enjoys outdoor activities. But this past November, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. The knowledge Constance acquired while studying for her CFE has provided her with additional tools that will enhance her ability to review and test during audits. She now better understands the importance of gathering the right documentation when red flags are identified during an audit.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Robinson: I became certified in November 2015.

Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Austin 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.

Robinson: Attending the on-site course removed the daily distractions of life and helped me focus for four days to accomplish my goal of becoming a CFE. Reviewing the materials the night before class was helpful in helping me concentrate the next day on areas that required further understanding.

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

Robinson: The CFE Exam Review Course acted as a refresher for areas I previously studied prior to attending the course. Additionally, the real-life examples provided during the course discussions assisted in helping me understand the subject areas and provided me with a mental picture when taking the exam, if there was an area that caught me off-guard during the exam.

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

Robinson: The knowledge obtained from the CFE program provides additional tools in specific areas to review and test during audits. Also, it allows me to understand the impacts of documentation and gathering the right documentation when red flags are identified during an audit.

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

Robinson: Prior to the on-site course and exam, I spent two hours a day reading and studying materials, answering review questions, reviewing results, and focusing on areas that required further study.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Robinson: Yes, in addition to the study materials and online tools, this course is essential to successfully passing the exam.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Robinson: Through internal audits and managing finance groups, I have identified several areas of fraud. While it may seem that all employees are honest, this is not always the case. In my experience, frauds were identified mostly in the areas of management, where there were weakened controls. These risks were further reviewed after the fraud, and additional controls and assurance processes were put into place.

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?

Robinson: Sitting indoors all day can be quite confining, so I perform activities outdoors as much as possible. This includes gardening, golfing, walking dogs, fishing, and hiking, when the opportunities become available. Volunteering is also a very rewarding experience.

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

Robinson: Focus on a specific test area and subjects within the test area for 3-4 days. Shifting around between various areas can be distracting and frustrating. Once you obtain enough knowledge for a specific area, move on to the next one. Revisit the area reviewed in about two weeks to see how much knowledge you have retained. Fraud and the content study material is fascinating; if you have a passion for the subject matter, the learning is enjoyable.

Also, if you are a CPA or CIA, reading articles in your monthly magazines. Doing so retains interest and provides you with real-world examples that assist your learning.

Q & A with Patrick Richers

Patrick Richers became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Washington, DC. When Patrick has downtime, he enjoys running and watching Penn State football games. Patrick is also working toward receiving his pilot license. But recently, Patrick put some time aside to accomplish his goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Being a CFE will strengthen Patrick’s ability to identify common fraud schemes and recognize instances of suspected fraud, thereby allowing him to move such issues to a quicker resolution.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Richers: I received my CFE credential in October 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.

Richers: I enjoyed attending the course because each day consisted of an extensive review of the day’s topics, with the option to take the test immediately after the lecture. The days were long, but I felt that I had an advantage because I was able to take the test immediately after reviewing the material.

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

Richers: The best part of the course was that the material was applicable to the real world – not just the exam. I was able to take information that I learned during the CFE Exam Review Course and use it on my first day back at work. Additionally, the ability to network with other course attendees was valuable.

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

Richers: The CFE credential will benefit me in several ways. It will allow me to maintain knowledge of common fraud schemes, and it will also give me the opportunity to learn about some of the more specialized topics that I might encounter. In addition to providing continuing education, the opportunity to network with other CFEs will be a great benefit.

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

Richers: I was pretty busy leading up to the exam, so my strategy was to identify my weakest subject and then focus my time on that. One week before the review course, I tested myself on ten percent of the CFE Exam Prep Course practice questions for each subject, identified my weakest area, and then spent a few hours working on that section in the days leading up to the course.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Richers: I would definitely recommend this course to my colleagues. I think that the course represents the best route to obtaining the CFE credential because you get to review each topic before you take the test.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Richers: During my senior year in college, I was fortunate enough to intern with the United States Secret Service in Washington, DC. While I was there, I was exposed to some of their investigative responsibilities, and I became very interested in financial crime investigations.

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?

Richers: When I’m not working, I like to run and watch Penn State football. I’m also currently working toward getting my private pilot’s license.
 

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

Richers: I would suggest a two-part strategy for aspiring CFEs. First, budget your time wisely, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and try to improve those weaknesses. Second, attend the CFE Exam Review Course and sit for the exam directly after so that you can capitalize on the material taught during the course.

Q & A with Randolph Sawyer

Randolph Sawyer of Virginia, recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Washington, DC. Randolph enjoys deer hunting , but this past September, he put some time aside to accomplish his goal of obtaining the CFE credential. Becoming a CFE has provided Randolph with a higher level of credibility in his work as a staff auditor. 

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Sawyer: I was 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.

Sawyer: The four-day review course helped me significantly.  Although the amount of material covered was almost overwhelming, the instructors were able to properly manage the time to ensure salient points were covered appropriately.  
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course? 

Sawyer: Each day was tailored to the on-site exam offered that afternoon. 
 
Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?

Sawyer: My credentials lend credence to my examination of company records, as well as my work related to ethics and compliance policies and procedures. 
 
Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?

Sawyer: I studied prior to taking the exam using the online Prep Course.  I did not study after class each day, as I felt the presented material was sufficient. 
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Sawyer: Yes. Absolutely! I did not feel prepared until I sat through the review course each day. At the end of each day, I felt comfortable going into the exam.  
 
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Sawyer: I was a contracting officer in the U.S. Air Force for many years. Then, I was the Suspension and Debarment Official at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In both positions, I was exposed to potential and real 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?

Sawyer: I am an archer and hunt whitetail deer in my backyard.  I find that waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger imposes the need for perseverance, which is also required in my profession.
 
Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?

Sawyer: Study with the Prep Course, first as that prepares you for the four-day “fire hose” of data that is difficult to comprehend without some prior exposure to the information. 

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.

Q & A with Joyce Guillen Cox

Joyce Guillen Cox of California recently became a CFE after attending the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles, CA. In her free time, Joyce relaxes by reading, watching television, and spending time with her husband, but this past July, she put some time aside to accomplish her goal of obtaining the CFE credential. The knowledge Joyce has developed as a manager of accounting and from materials received during the week of the course will help her completely understand the different tactics performed by fraudsters and improve her ability to prevent and detect their actions.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?
Guillen Cox: I became certified on July 30, 2015
 
Coach: You attended the CFE Exam Review Course in Los Angeles 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.
Guillen Cox: The cost of the Review Course was well worth the information, experience, and connections I made while attending it. The subjects were split into easy-to-digest sessions and the networking lunches were a great way to interact with professionals from other job sectors. I really appreciated being able to take the exam at the end of each day, as the information was still fresh in my head. Taking the exam cemented the information in my brain while taking me one step closer to my credential each day!
 
Coach: What did you like most about the CFE Exam Review Course? 
Guillen Cox: The best part about the review course was the real-life examples that we were given on the different subjects—especially Hugo Holland, since his examples from being a prosecutor are way more exciting than the accounting examples that I have seen firsthand!
 
Coach: In what ways do you feel that your new CFE credential will be beneficial to you in your current profession?
Guillen Cox: While I would never turn down a hard-earned credential, it was the information that I obtained while studying for the exam that I am most excited about. In the world of accounting, fighting fraud is one of the more exciting aspects about my position. I wanted to make sure I was as knowledgeable as possible about this subject for my current position as the accounting manager at my company.
 
Coach: How did you prepare yourself to sit for the exam on-site? Did you spend any additional time studying after class each day?
Guillen Cox: I made sure that I completely understood the areas that the instructors were going over each day. I spent about 10 minutes before the exam skimming notes I had taken during the day for the section being tested.
 
Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?
Guillen Cox: I would definitely recommend this course to my colleagues. The information that I learned through the live course outweighed the information I was able to learn during my self-study.
 
Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?
Guillen Cox: When I switched jobs a year ago, I left a company that had their policies and procedures securely in place and needed very little input or changes from me to enhance the existing structure. My new job has more opportunities for me to be effective in creating and implementing a successful internal control plan. Instead of just copying the internal controls I had learned from my previous position, I wanted to be able to completely understand the scope of different tactics performed by fraudsters and our ability to prevent and detect their actions.
 
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?
Guillen Cox: I am an avid reader and TV watcher and spend most of my time lounging around, generally being lazy! When my husband is able to get me up and moving, we enjoy visiting zoos and botanical gardens.

Coach: Do you have any study tips or suggestions for aspiring CFEs?
Guillen Cox: By becoming familiar with the study materials, I was able to get so much more out of the Review Course since I did not have to struggle with understanding the basic terms and procedures.

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