Kathy G. Birri, CFE

From accounting student to ACFE Associate member to chair of the ACFE Knoxville Chapter, Kathy Birri’s passion for problem-solving guided her career in forensic accounting. She attended her first ACFE Global Fraud Conference on a student scholarship and now investigates allegations of fraud, waste and abuse for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. 

Interview by Anna Brahce

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Growing up, I loved art, especially painting and drawing, and could spend hours engrossed in complex puzzles. That passion for problem-solving never left me.

My journey into fighting fraud started while I was an accounting major in college. I wasn’t interested in the traditional tax route and wanted something that truly sparked my passion. My mom worked at a spa, and her client, Polly, said she was a forensic accountant. We met, and she told me stories about her work and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and she shared her copies of Fraud Magazine. I immediately wanted to immerse myself with everything anti-fraud.

In 2015, I received a scholarship to attend the 26th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Meeting so many professionals and hearing about the latest fraud trends was life changing. It felt like I’d found my professional home, and I couldn’t have been more excited. That experience truly cemented my career path for becoming a forensic accountant.

I earned my Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential in 2021, but I’ve been a member of the ACFE as a student and Associate member since 2013. The resources and connections I gained through the ACFE helped me land my first investigative role as a charitable funds auditor with the Ohio Attorney General Charitable Law section, where I conducted more than 150 investigations, building the foundation for the work I do today.

In 2015, I received a scholarship to attend the 26th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Meeting so many professionals and hearing about the latest fraud trends was life changing. It felt like I’d found my professional home, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

I currently work as an investigator with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of Investigations. I focus on investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in government and publicly funded entities. Most cases begin with a tip submitted through our fraud hotline. Once assigned, we perform a detailed and thorough investigation. If we identify fraud or control weaknesses, we publish a public report to promote accountability and transparency. 

One of my favorite cases involved a nature preserve, and it required a mix of digital forensics, physical document review, investigative interviewing and advanced data analysis. It pushed me to apply a wide range of skills and reinforced the importance of adaptability in our work. Fraud investigations come with their share of uncertainty, so it’s important to be flexible and open-minded in every investigation. 

I serve as the current chair of the ACFE Knoxville Chapter, where I support our local community of fraud-fighting professionals. When I relocated to Tennessee in 2021, I didn’t know anyone locally. Because I was a CFE, I was able to connect with the Knoxville ACFE community, and they have become an invaluable support system. Our chapter recently received the 2024 ACFE Chapter of the Year Award (Small Market), and I’m honored to be part of such a great chapter. 

My advice to those entering the fraud-fighting field is simple: Stay curious and never underestimate the value of networking. Every connection you make can open doors, and the excitement of this work makes every challenge worth it.

One of my proudest achievements was earning my master’s degree in forensic and fraud examination from West Virginia University after seven years in the field. Deciding to get a master’s degree was both challenging and rewarding, and it pushed me to grow as a forensic accountant. 

I still enjoy the same hobbies I loved as a child. Art and puzzles keep my creativity and problem-solving skills sharp. Outside of work, I also enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog in Knoxville, Tennessee. Whether we’re hiking new trails or planning our next adventure, traveling helps me recharge.

Anna Brahce is an assistant editor of Fraud Magazine. Contact her at abrahce@ACFE.com.