In-Person Seminar

Fraud Examination Techniques Workshop

  • Dec 8-10, 2025
  • Austin, TX
Course Level
Advanced
Delivered via
In-Person
CPE
21
ACFE Ethics CPE

Description

This advanced course takes place in a uniquely interactive learning environment where you will work on two actual fraud cases that have been modified for teaching purposes. Working through these scenarios, you will simulate many aspects of a real case — interviewing a suspect and trying to obtain an admission, compiling evidence and building your case, and offering testimony and being cross-examined.

By understanding how it feels to be part of a small team working on a real investigation, you will acquire the case experience and know-how you need to excel as a fraud examiner.

Prerequisites

A solid understanding of the legal, financial, investigative, and criminological principles of fraud prevention, detection, and examination; Experience conducting fraud examinations.

You Will Learn How To:

Plan and execute complex fraud examinations.

Avoid legal issues, ranging from workplace searches to electronic communication, during your investigation.

Strengthen your evidence-gathering skills by determining what items are relevant and how they should be collected and interpreted.

Implement advanced analytical techniques for detecting common fraud schemes.

Improve your ability to use technology and the latest computer software.

Prepare for and conduct critical interviews of both witnesses and suspects pertinent to the case.

Testify under direct and cross-examination.

Location & Venue

Event Venue

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705

Hotel Information

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center 
1900 University Ave
Austin, TX 78705

Hotel Phone: +1 (877) 744-8822
Room Rate: $192 single
Hotel Cut-Off: November 8, 2025

Reserve Now

CPE Information

This course fulfills the annual ethics CPE requirement for CFEs. Learn more about the ethics CPE requirements for CFEs.
CPE Credit: 21
Advanced Preparation: None
Delivery Method: Group-Live

Credit by Field of Study

Accounting: 1.6
Auditing: 7.2
Business Law: 4
Information Technology: 0.8
Specialized Knowledge: 1
Behavioral Ethics: 1.6
Communications and Marketing: 4.8

Registration & Fees

Registration Fee:

ACFE Members: $1,369
Non-Members: $1,569


Early Registration Deadline: November 7, 2025
Register by the Early Registration Deadline to SAVE $200!

Course Outline

Day 1

  • 8:00 – 9:20 a.m. Planning the Fraud Examination

    One of the best ways to sharpen your fraud examination skills is through practice. This week, you will hone your skills by working two different fraud case scenarios. In this section, you will explore the details of one case and decide how to assemble the fraud team, compile a thorough fraud examination checklist and begin developing information.

  • 9:35 – 10:55 a.m. Identifying and Gathering Evidence

    Your case, like most fraud cases, involves large amounts of documentation and complex relationships. You will decide what evidence is needed and relevant, how it should be gathered and interpreted, and what should be done to best protect the chain of custody.

    As part of the case evidence, you will also review how information can be recovered from a computer through forensic examination.

  • 11:10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Legal Issues in Fraud Examinations

    When conducting an investigation involving powerful people, you must be sensitive to the potential volatility of the situation. In this section, you will discuss the intricacies of certain privileges and the duties of officers and directors to conduct investigations of wrongdoing.

  • 3:05 – 4:30 p.m. Analytical Techniques, Part 1

    There are several different fraud schemes that might be present in your cases. In this session, you will learn and apply analytical techniques to determine where fraud might have occurred based on the specifics of the first case and the risks you’ve identified as part of your planning. 

Day 2

  • 9:35 – 10:55 a.m. Applying Interview Techniques

    Before interviewing witnesses or suspects, your team must decide how, where and when to conduct critical interviews. Using ACFE staff as subjects, you will conduct interviews to obtain information and evidence for your case. 

  • 11:10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Overcoming Investigative Challenges

    Many fraud investigators will experience unique challenges depending on where your evidence leads you. In this section, we will have an open discussion about what types of challenges you have experienced in your real-life investigations.

    You will also be introduced to a new fraud investigation. You will receive evidence in the new case and prepare to interview witnesses.

  • 1:30 – 2:50 p.m. Tracing Assets and Recovering Fraud Losses

    Some fraudsters go to great lengths to cover up their crimes and hide assets from seizure by authorities. In this section, you will learn common asset-tracing methods that may help you recover assets to compensate the fraud victims. You will also participate in several interviews of potential witnesses in your case.

  • 3:05 – 4:30 p.m. Workplace and Online Searches

    Many fraud investigations involve searches of the suspect’s work area and online activity, such as social media. In this section, we will discuss legal and privacy concerns surrounding these searches. You will also learn about different resources available to assist you in conducting online investigations.

Day 3

  • 8:00 – 9:20 a.m. Understanding the Fraudster’s Mindset

    Successfully preventing, detecting and investigating fraud requires the ability to think like a fraudster. In this section, you will explore common mindsets and motivations behind fraudsters’ unethical actions, as well as ways you can apply this perspective in your anti-fraud engagements.

  • 9:35 – 10:55 a.m. Admission-Seeking Interviews

    Getting an admission of guilt from a suspect is rarely easy. The players that you are up against in this case are highly intelligent and most likely will be arrogant and uncooperative. Your team will interview the suspect and try to walk away with an admission and signed statement.

  • 11:10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Preparing for Litigation/Course Conclusion and Debrief

    You will meet with counsel and the client to provide a summation of the case and your findings. The findings will then be formatted into a written report. You will also learn how to work with prosecutors, civil counsel and defense counsel to tip the scales of justice in your client’s favor.

    Walking through cases in a classroom is one thing, but applying your new knowledge and skills to the real world is another. You and your peers will regroup and revisit the lessons learned from the cases worked throughout the course. Together, you will identify key takeaways and create a practical action plan for you to put into practice when you return to the office.

Presenters

Jason Zirkle, CFE - Speaker

Headshot of Jason Zirkle

Training Director
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

 

Bret Hood, CFE - Speaker

Headshot - Bret Hood

Director
21st Century Learning & Consulting

 

Jacob Parks, J.D., CFE - Speaker

Jacob Parks

General Counsel
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

 

Mason Wilder, CFE - Speaker

Headshot - Mason Wilder

Research Director
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

 

Policies

Payment must be received by November 7, 2025 to receive early registration discount. 

Event Cancellation Policy

Our cancellation policy is intended to keep costs low for attendees. Due to financial obligations incurred by ACFE, Inc., you must cancel your registration prior to the start of the event. Cancellations received less than 14 calendar days prior to an event start date are subject to a $100 administrative fee. No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received on or after the start date of the event. Those who do not cancel and do not attend are responsible for the full registration fee. Should an event be cancelled or postponed by the ACFE due to unforeseen circumstances, the ACFE will process a full refund of registration fees within 30 days of such circumstances becoming known. The ACFE will attempt to notify affected customers by phone and email after it determines cancellation is necessary.

Satisfaction Guarantee

ACFE seminars are unmatched in scope and effectiveness and backed by our unconditional satisfaction guarantee. If you attend an ACFE event and are not completely satisfied, please contact an ACFE Member Services Representative at MemberServices@ACFE.com or call (800) 245-3321 / +1 (512) 478-9000.

Terms and Conditions

 


nasba-events-tos-image The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.