Benefits of the CFE Credential
The CFE credential provides Public-Sector Investigators with the knowledge required to conduct investigations of civil or criminal fraud, or of white-collar crime. Earning the CFE credential gives you an understanding of why people commit fraud and
ways to prevent it, the types of fraudulent financial transactions, and interviewing, records and transactions. Additionally, the CFE credential ensures Public-Sector Investigators are familiar with the many legal ramifications of conducting fraud
examinations. This knowledge set will place you as a leading expert in the fraud investigation field.
The ACFE’s
global salary study found that CFEs earn a 31 percent income premium over their peers without the credential, which demonstrates the value employers place on the
credential. The study also provides valuable information and comparisons helpful to all anti-fraud professionals in benchmarking their compensation levels and career growth. The training, fraud resources and continuing education provided by the
ACFE will help in any stage of your career path. Refer to the
Compensation section below for more information about the compensation ranges for Public-Sector Investigators.
Job Types
There are countless agencies employing investigators at the federal, state and local levels. Positions range from local police detective to special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Police Investigators typically start as a patrol officer
before applying for detective. Applicants for special agent positions at the federal level, such as the FBI or ATF, must undergo extensive background investigations to receive security clearance. Additionally, competition for federal special agent
positions is fierce, with acceptance rates around 5 percent.
Public-Sector Investigators fall under many different titles, some of which include:
State and Local Investigators
State and local police
Police detective
Crime scene investigator
District attorney investigator
Attorney general
State bureau of investigation (SBI) (e.g., Texas Rangers)
Federal Special Agent
Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Homeland Security
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Criminal Division
Civil Division
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Education
State and Local Investigators usually have a high school education; however, many agencies require a bachelor’s degree. Most agencies require state and local police to graduate from their training academy. For Federal Special Agents, a bachelor’s
degree is usually required in any related field of study, including criminal justice, sociology, psychology, political science, finance and computer science. A degree can be substituted for three or more years of related experience in investigations
or law enforcement.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
It is important to plan and conduct an honest self-assessment of your knowledge, skills and abilities. In particular, employers are looking for:
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Knowledge
White-collar crime
Organized crime
Financial crime
Bribery and corruption
Money laundering
Counterfeiting
Fraudulent documents
Credit card fraud
Skills
Writing reports
Testifying in court
Conduct surveillance
Evidence collection
Conduct interviews
Record examination
Computer
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Abilities
Attention to detail
Ability to function in stressful situations
Alert to surroundings
Understands associated risks
Honesty
Sound judgment
Integrity
Responsibility
Fairness
Compassion
Leadership
Accountability
Adaptability
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