Q & A Christopher Moon, CFE

Christopher Moon became a CFE after attending the Review Course in Washington, DC. During Christopher’s free time, he enjoys being with his family and fishing. He started fly fishing over the last few years and truly enjoys the activity. But recently, Christopher put some time aside to accomplish his goal of obtaining the CFE credential. The materials presented at the course were directly applicable to his job as a fraud investigator, and he believes the knowledge he obtained will be beneficial with his fraud investigation work related to the U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Coach: When did you receive your CFE credential?

Moon: April 1, 2016

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.

Moon: The course was broken down into manageable sections; the instructors did a great job dissecting each section, providing focus, and highlighting what was most important. They also acknowledged that some of the subject areas would intersect and build upon one another. I appreciated that they understood students would not be experts in every field, which is what a fraud unit is all about—different specialties coming together to build a total picture.

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

Moon: I liked having the ability to review and ask questions about the material prior to sitting for the exam. The instructors did a wonderful job explaining everything.

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

Moon: The materials presented have a direct connection to my job as a fraud investigator. At the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTRAP) under the U.S. Treasury, we are tasked with investigating fraud related to TARP. These cases involve all the disciplines within the fraud field.

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

Moon: I reviewed the material prior to class. We were then provided a one-hour lunch break, and the great thing about the first three days was having lunch provided at the class site. I would take a half hour to eat, and then go back and review that morning’s material. After class, I would spend another half hour or so studying the material, until I felt comfortable, and then pick up my test.

Coach: Would you recommend this course to your colleagues?

Moon: Yes, I already have.

Coach: How did you become passionate about fighting fraud?

Moon: I have been in law enforcement for almost 20 years. Fraud, like other criminal acts, is a matter of solving a puzzle. Our job as investigators is to prove an allegation happened or that it did not. This is something I have been passionate about for as long as I can remember. In my current position, I have the privilege of working some of the most complex bank fraud cases with a group of professionals that share that passion.

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?

Moon: When I am not spending time with my family, my other passion is fishing. I have begun fly fishing over the last few years and truly enjoy the sport. We are lucky enough to have some of the best trout waters in the United States here in northern Virginia, and I get out as often as I can. I recently began building my first fly rod and tying my own flies. It will be gratifying to catch a fish on a rod I built, with a fly I tied.

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

Moon: It will be tremendously beneficial to follow the advice of your coaches and review the study materials before class as much as your schedule allows. It will pay dividends. Everyone is busy, but do yourself a favor and reduce the anxiety by planning ahead. Be prepared for long days.