The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, established in 1988, is based in Austin, Texas. The 26,000-member professional organization is dedicated to educating qualified individuals (Certified Fraud Examiners), who are trained in the highly-specialized aspects of fighting fraud and white-collar crime. Each member of the Association designated a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) has earned certification after an extensive application process and upon passing the uniform CFE Examination.
Certified Fraud Examiners come from various professions, including auditors, accountants, fraud investigators, loss prevention specialists, attorneys, educators, and criminologists. CFEs gather evidence, take statements, write reports, and assist in investigating fraud in its varied forms. CFEs are employed by most major corporations and government agencies, and others provide consulting and investigative services.
The Association sponsors more than 100 local chapters worldwide. CFEs in over 100 countries on six continents have investigated more than 1,000,000 suspected cases of civil and criminal fraud.
Criminologist and former FBI agent Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, is Chairman and founder of the Association, as well as an advisory member of the Board of Regents. A specialist in the prevention and detection of financial statement fraud, Toby J.F. Bishop, CFE, CPA, FCA is the Association’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The Association serves its members with a staff of approximately 50 dedicated professionals.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has received critical acclaim throughout the media. The Wall Street Journal said the Association is “The premier financial sleuthing organization,” and ABC-TV’s Nightline calls Joseph T. Wells “the country’s foremost fraud specialist.”